Determining a funding source
If you already know your funding source for your project go directly to Applying for and managing a grant.
Types of research funding
Research funding is available via:
- Specific funding programs or schemes - usually government agencies, not for profit organisations and other bodies. The project is researcher initiated. We call research funded this way Sponsored Research. Funding is usually obtained via a formal, competitive application process. Examples of this kind of funding would be Australian Research Council (ARC) grants, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants and Cancer Council grants.
- Other funding - usually industry/business, government or semi-government, or not for profit agency. The project is likely to be funder-initiated or jointly initiated between the University and funder. We call research funded this way Contracted Research. Most government tenders would fit under this category, as would a research project studying the socio-economic impact of a new mine site in Port Hedland commissioned by Rio Tinto. Please note that routine projects (e.g. testing, surveys, etc, that don't result in the production of new knowledge or scholarly papers) should be treated as consultancy projects rather than research projects.
Finding a funding source
There are a number of avenues to finding a funding source:
- Community of Science (COS) website: You can search for Australian and international funding opportunities through the COS website. The search function allows you to conduct broad searches or very specific searches using key words, dates and many other criteria. For more information on COS and its broader functionality, please see our COS page.
- The Australian Competitive Grants Register (ACGR): This Register lists a number of competitive research grant schemes (many Federal government schemes). Funding under these schemes receive higher rates of reward through the Research Performance Index (RPI) system than schemes not on the list. The University is also rewarded financially (through the Institutional Block Grants Scheme) for funding received from schemes on the Register. Researchers are encouraged to apply for grants on this Register.
- GrantsLink: While not specifically for research funding, this site can help you find funding available under a variety of grant programs designed to develop solutions to local and national problems, fund ideas and initiatives or provide assistance in times of hardship. The site may be particularly useful if you work with community groups.
- The Science Portal - This site delivers science information and services to industry, investors and the research and education communities. It contains a section on funding opportunities.
- Australian Government tenders (AusTender) - This site provides information on all Australian Government (Federal) tenders
- WA state government and semi-government schemes:
- Office of Multicultural Interests - Community grants scheme
- Healthway - WA Health Promotion Foundation grants and fellowships/scholarships
- Sustainable Energy Development Office - Sustainable energy Research Grants
- LotteryWest - Social Research Grants
- Health Department - State Health Research Advisory Council (SHRAC) grants and awards
- WA State government Tenders (GEM tendering)
- Some state government departments also possess discretionary funds so may consider unsolicited proposals. Discussion with senior staff within the Department prior to submission is recommended, however.
- Curtin Internal Grants and fellowships: Curtin administers a small grant program and offers fellowships once a year.
- GrantsNet - This site allows you to search for grants available from the US Department of Health and Human Services eg National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants.
- Grants.gov - This site provides links to all discretionary grants offered by the 26 USA federal grant-making agencies.
- Our Research Update newsletter - This regular newsletter produced by the Office of Research and Development includes information on funding opportunities coming up.
- Mailing lists from key organisations in your field - subscription is usually available via the organisation's website.
- Google (and other search engine) searches on key words.
