FEIT Indigenous Research and Teaching Innovation Grant

Purpose

FEIT’s Indigenous Research and Teaching Innovation Grant aims to strengthen or enable the development of research and/or learning and teaching initiatives related to Indigenous engineering knowledges in collaboration with Indigenous communities. Eligible applicants are invited to submit a research and/or teaching project that intends to build capability in collaborative Indigenous engineering and IT projects.

This grant seeks to support projects focused on curriculum development, as well as research initiatives that enhance existing work or build strategic partnerships identified by the university or FEIT.

Funding Schedule

One grant is available in 2026. The grant may be a single year or multi-year project.

  • Single Year up to $20,000. Funding will be made in instalments; half of the funding will be received upon project commencement, and the remaining half will be provided 6 months into the duration of the project.
  • Multi-Year up to $60,000. Funding will be issued in instalments of $20,000 per annum for a maximum duration of up to three years, in alignment with its proposed project timeline.

All funding instalments are subject to deliverables being achieved and mid-scheme reporting obligations being met (see 'Expected Output and Deliverables' for more information).

A payment schedule is required as part of the application process to outline the requested fund allocations for the project.

Eligibility

To be eligible, all projects must:

  • Be led by a FEIT academic (0.2 FTE minimum), working at any staffing level, with an employment contract with a minimum duration of the grant.
  • Identify deliverables to be completed within the funding timelines. Note, project outcomes and impact should continue beyond the funding period.

Additionally, proposals for research projects must:

  • Be in collaboration with at least one of the identified community partnerships through FEIT or the University (noted below) or clearly demonstrate how the community will be the predominant beneficiary of the project with a pathway to self-sufficiency or long-term capability that continues beyond university supported involvement.
    • Gunditjmara Community and Budj Bim (FEIT partnership)
    • Regional NSW: Bourke, Brewarrina and Goodooga (FEIT partnership)
    • Goulburn Valley region (University partnership)
    • Northeast Arnhem Land (University partnership)
    • Traditional Owners of Naarm (University partnership)

Please note that priority may be given to first time Grant applications or projects which have the strong support of an Indigenous community, projects with a clear plan for engaging Indigenous Australians, or with an identified approach to inject Indigenous knowledges within a subject or course.

Applicants are expected to review and comply with best practice guidelines on research and research partnerships with Indigenous knowledge holders (see Additional Resources below).

Application and Assessment

Applicants must complete the application form and submit it to the following email:

Proposals will be assessed against the following key selection criteria:

  1. Contribution to research in Indigenous knowledges: How does the project aim to advance research in Indigenous knowledge? Does the project clearly address an identified gap or need in the field?
    OR
    Contribution to teaching and learning innovations in Indigenous knowledges: How does the project aim to advance Indigenous knowledge in the learning and teaching space? Does the project clearly address an identified gap or need in the field?
  2. Quality of partnership with the Indigenous community: To what extent does the project team demonstrate capacity to engage with Indigenous partners and/or incorporate relationship development as part of the project? What are the opportunities for Indigenous knowledge holders to co‐develop the project and its research outputs? How does the project strategically align with the current and emerging partnerships within the University and FEIT?
  3. Impact of the project: How will the project advance the fields of engineering and IT? How will the project benefit Indigenous people? What is its expected reach and impact? How will this impact be sustained beyond the project's delivery?
  4. Benefit to the Indigenous community: To what extent does the project demonstrate benefit for the community, Indigenous partner investigators and Indigenous knowledge holders?
  5. Feasibility of the project: To what extent are the project’s scope, budget, and aims feasible within the proposed project period?

Submissions will be assessed by a review panel, consisting of:

  • Associate Dean (Indigenous), FEIT
  • Deputy Dean (Research), FEIT
  • Deputy Dean (Education), FEIT

Key Dates

Applications Open: Friday 27 May 2026

Applications Close: Friday 3 July 2026 11:59pm

Notification of Outcome:  by Friday 28 August 2026

Expected Output and Deliverables

Recipients of the grants of up to $20,000 for a 12-month period:

  • A brief presentation is expected within 6 months of award.
  • A full report and presentation of outcomes should be provided within 12 months of award. The report should include details of any impact, publications, presentations, media coverage, additional grants arising from the project and expenditure. Noting that significant project underspend may require returning unspent funds, or an additional case to continue.

Recipients of the grants up to $60,000 for up to a three-year period:

  • Regular meetings with the Associate Dean, Indigenous to discuss project progress, challenges and opportunities will take place every 6 months for the duration of the determined funding period. This will be conducted ahead of each annual instalment.
  • A full report and presentation of outcomes should be provided upon conclusion of the project. The report should include details of any impact, publications, presentations, media coverage, additional grants arising from the project and expenditure. Noting that significant project underspend may require returning unspent funds, or an additional case to continue.

All recipients are expected to:

  • Share insights and project outcomes with Indigenous partner organisations, collaborators and knowledge holders during and after project completion.
  • Identify opportunities for the project deliverables and impact to be sustained beyond the duration of this funding scheme. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying additional funding sources and developing strategies to support outcomes to be sustainable within or for Indigenous communities engaged within the project.

Project teams may also be invited to present to broader public audiences, such as the National Indigenous Engineering Summit.

Project Concepts

Example projects which could be considered for funding include, but are not limited to:

  • Developing Indigenous case-studies and educational materials for use in academic coursework.
  • Enhancing existing projects and/or established partnerships.
  • Supporting communities to develop project proposals and research strategies.
  • Supporting and delivering research tools to the identified place relationships noted under ‘Eligibility Criteria’.
  • Engaging elders and community members to participate in guest lectures and subject delivery.
  • Developing on-Country experiences for engineering and information technology students within coursework subjects.
  • Developing and disseminating learning and teaching resources tailored for use by Indigenous communities.

Additional Resources

The University of Melbourne has a strong foundation in education and research that elevate Indigenous knowledge systems. The Indigenous Knowledge Institute has resources and best practice guidelines on research and research partnerships with Indigenous knowledge holders.

Applicants are expected to review best practice guidelines such as:

Enquiries

For guidance as to your projects suitability please contact Associate Professor Joseph West, Associate Dean, Indigenous joseph.west@unimelb.edu.au


For general guidance regarding this scheme, please contact Tyrina Garstone, Indigenous Projects Coordinator – FEIT Engagement engit-indigenous@unimelb.edu.au

Previous Grant Recipients

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) Indigenous Research Grant provides FEIT researchers with the opportunity to access funding to support research and teaching projects developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.