About the Social Impact Grants

The UTS Social Impact Grants support researchers and practitioners within our community to contribute to positive social change through projects aligned with strategic areas of impact.

Individual grants of either $5,000 or $10,000 (for larger or cross-faculty projects) are available. 

Eligibility  

All types of UTS staff members and students are eligible to apply. This includes professional and academic staff and both undergraduate and higher degree research students.

Students who apply will need to have a nominated staff supervisor for their project, who will receive the funds and act as a mentor throughout the process.

Projects and staff from Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion are not eligible for funding.

We welcome group applications, projects with collaboration across disciplines or faculties, partnerships between UTS and community organisations and encourage researchers and practitioners at all career stages, including early career researchers to apply.  

Themes

The Social Impact Grants support research projects and practical initiatives aimed at making a positive change on campus and/or in the wider community. To apply, your project must align to one of the following themes:

Safe and Inclusive UTS

Projects aligning to this theme will aim to support UTS students and staff from various equity groups and focus on creating a more welcoming campus. Such equity groups might include:

  • Students from low-SES backgrounds  
  • Students from rural, regional, and remote areas  
  • First Nations students & staff
  • Culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) communities  
  • People with disability  
  • LGBTIQA+ communities  
  • Women  
Thriving Communities  

Projects aligning to this theme will aim to address social, health, or environmental challenges in the wider community, and must involve a partnership between the university and external community.

Community partners may include:  

  • An NGO or charity  
  • A peak body organisation or activist/advocacy group  
  • An individual community member  
  • A grassroots community organisation  
  • Traditional Owners or Elders  
  • A local health district or school

We will not accept commercial partners, industry partners, or other academics as community partners. 

How to apply 

Applications open on 1 October and close 26 November 2024.   

All applications must be submitted online, through the Good Grants platform.

The Good Grants platform will allow you to save your application progress as you go. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted for review.  

If you require more information or have any issues with GoodGrants, we encourage you to email us at socialimpactgrants@uts.edu.au   

Selection process 

All completed applications received will be shortlisted to confirm they meet eligibility requirements.   

Shortlisted applications will then be reviewed and selected for funding by a panel comprised of:  

  • Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice & Inclusion) (Chair)
  • A faculty Dean
  • Two representatives from faculties at various stages of career    

Successful applications will be notified mid-December 2024, via email. The Social Impact Grants Team will then work with all successful recipients in 2025 to release the funds and commence the project.   

Please see the application guidelines for specific assessment criteria.  

Key dates 

 

For further information, please read the application guidelines, register for the information session or email socialimpactgrants@uts.edu.au  

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.