NSSN Grand Challenge Fund

Grand Challenge Fund Guidelines 2027

The NSSN Grand Challenge Fund 2027 invites proposals for innovative, collaborative research projects that respond to the five NSSN Priority Themes:

• Environment & Agriculture

• Human Health

• Natural Hazards

• Net Zero

• Smart Places

These priority themes address complex challenges that are critical to our environment, health, economy and society and which demand innovative solutions that will impact future generations. They have been selected for the important role smart sensing can play in responding to the issue and where technological innovation holds the promise of creating significant change. They align well with state and federal priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have been selected based on the NSSN’s unique ability to mobilise the world-class R&D capability across its member universities, in partnership with industry and government, for practical, impactful outcomes.

Eligibility

To be eligible, projects must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Leadership: be led by an NSSN member university (the CI must be a salaried researcher at an NSSN member university. ECRs/MCRs are encouraged to apply)

• Collaboration: involve a minimum of two NSSN member universities (incl. the lead)

• Partnership: partner with at least one industry or government partner

• Co-investment: attract cash co-investment from industry/government partners at least equal to the requested amount

Projects that do not meet these criteria will not be assessed.

Assessment criteria

Projects will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Significance – description of the project, what it aims to achieve and how it contributes to addressing the priority theme. 30%

• Collaboration – how the project integrates and fosters genuine collaboration between NSSN member universities. 15%

• Partnership – how the project integrates genuine partnership with industry and government partners and responds to a defined industry or government need. 15%

• Governance & Feasibility – how the project defines a realistic research plan and the measures that will ensure delivery on milestones. 15%

• Impact pathway – how the project advances the science towards a realistic pathway to commercialisation. 15%

• Diversity – how the project represents diversity of gender and under-represented cohorts in the team. 10%

Advice & Support

Applicants are encouraged to speak with their local NSSN Engagement Lead and the relevant NSSN Theme Leader as early as possible in the application process. This will help to ensure alignment with the NSSN Priority Themes and provide applications with the greatest chance of success. The NSSN can provide assistance in connecting with relevant industry and government partners.

NSSN Theme Leaders

• Environment & Agriculture: Tomonori Hu

• Human Health: Catherine Oates Smith

• Natural Hazards: Peter Runcie

• Net Zero: Thor Slater

• Smart Places: Peter Runcie  

NSSN Coordinators

• ANU: Nishank Shah

• Macquarie University: Matt Bevin

• UNSW: Emily Zeng

• University of Sydney: Andrew Kemp

• UTS: research.engagement@uts.edu.au

• Western Sydney University: Navin Chandrasekaran

• University of Wollongong: Ryah Perkiss

Webinars

Two informational webinars will be offered to provide information on the fund, tips on submitting a successful application and an opportunity to ask questions.

• Webinar I – Tuesday 24 November 2026 – 1-2pm

• Webinar II – Tuesday 2 February 2027 – 1-2pm

Application process

• Applications open: 2 November 2026

• Webinar I: 24 November 2026

• Webinar II: 2 February 2027

• Internal university deadlines: 10 February 2027 - consult your NSSN Engagement Lead

• Applications close: 22 February 2027 (5pm)

• Eligibility review: 23 February 2027

• Selection Committee Review: Early March 2027

• Shortlist Interviews: Late March 2027

• Grants announced: April 2027

• Contracting & funding: May 2027

Funding conditions

Funding can be used for the following:

• Direct salary costs for investigators/staff of NSSN member universities.

• On-costs consistent with NSSN member university policies.

• Equipment, software, materials and consumables specifically related to the project.

• Domestic travel costs that are specifically related to the project.

• Stipends for HDR students working on the project.

 Funding can not be used for the following purposes:

• Salaries of industry partners.

• Costs not directly related to the project.

 Matched funding must be:

• in cash and transferable to the NSSN university project partners (in-kind support will be considered in addition to the matching cash contribution).

• from the government or industry partner (University cash contributions will not be considered)

• new funding, specific to the proposed project.

Projects are expected to commence within 30 days of the signing of contracts and conclude within 12 months of signing.

Funding will be paid to the lead organisation in a single tranche at the start of the project. The lead university is responsible for distributing funds to collaborating universities.

The NSSN will remain actively engaged in the projects, supporting their development, identifying additional funding and partners, and providing advice.

Contracts will include agreed quarterly milestones, monitored by the NSSN through quarterly check-in meetings. 

 A final report will be required at the 12-month mark. A template for which will be provided by the NSSN.

The NSSN reserves the right to publicise funded projects for marketing and communication purposes. All proprietary information will remain confidential.

The Network must be acknowledged as a funder in any publications or reports resulting from the project.

Intellectual Property

The IP relating to each project will be negotiated on a project-by-project basis at the time of contract negotiation. However, the NSSN encourages discussion of IP expectations between partners as soon as practicable in the project planning process.

Access to background IP necessary to implement project IP will be negotiated between the owner of the project IP and the owner of the background IP on a project-by-project basis. Generally, it is agreed that owners of background IP will provide access to such background IP, subject only to the terms of access negotiated in good faith.

IP relating to the project will be owned, as negotiated, by the university/ies and industry partner/s named as partners to the project.

As with all NSSN-supported projects, the Network will not hold any rights to IP, royalties or financial returns resulting from the project.