We encourage Institute Associates to explore all the Australian Human Rights Institute's various funding opportunities and apply for the most suitable scheme. You can learn more about the successful recipients of seed funding grants in previous years here.
The Australian Human Rights Institute offers annual seed funding to support interdisciplinary research projects that strengthen human rights outcomes. These schemes are open to UNSW academic staff who are Associates of the Institute. PhD students are not eligible to apply.
Institute seed funding
This scheme provides a range of $5,000–$10,000 funding for interdisciplinary human rights projects for eligible Institute Associates. It is designed to support innovative early-stage research with strong potential for impact and further funding.
Joint seed funding
The Institute partners with UNSW faculties and research centres to offer joint seed funding schemes. These schemes provide larger grants (ranging from $15-20,000) to support interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties and the chief investigator (CI) must be based in the relevant faculty. Joint funding schemes include:
- Disability Innovation Institute and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- UNSW Faculty of Engineering and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- UNSW Faculty of Business and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
Projects are selected through a competitive process and assessed against clear criteria, including alignment with human rights, research quality, interdisciplinary approach, and future potential for external grant funding. Past funding scheme guidelines can be found here.
2025 seed funding – Now closed
Applications for the 2025 round closed on 21 March 2025.
Please check back in early 2026 for details about the next round of seed funding opportunities.
Request for support
To amplify your research impact and reachability through our media and comms channels, Associates can apply for a range of communication support. Please note approval is subject to team capacity and availability. A request support form is available here.
