NSSN Grand Challenge Fund 2026 announced
The latest round of the NSSN Grand Challenge Fund (GCF) opened today and is accepting applications through to the deadline of 24 February 2026.
(From L to R): NSSN Grand Challenges span across Human Health, Smart Places, Net Zero, Evironment & AgTech, and Natural Hazards. Photos: Adobe Stock.
Round 6 of the GCF invites applications to support innovative, collaborative research projects that respond to the five NSSN Priority Themes of:
Grants of up to $100,000 per project will support the development of projects that link with industry or government partners and devise a smart sensing solution that has a defined pathway to genuine impact, either through commercialisation or operationalisation.
The 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.
The priority themes align well with state and federal priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 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.
NSSN Chief Operating Officer, Nicholas Haskins said the Grand Challenge Fund is driving collaboration and commercial impact across NSW.
“Our goal is to build real pathways from research to impact,” Mr Haskins said.
“The Grand Challenge Fund brings researchers, industry and government together to tackle big problems and to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that make a difference.
“For business, it’s about unlocking new technologies that boost competitiveness and growth. For government, it’s about harnessing innovation to deliver smarter, more efficient services for the community.”
Information sessions
Researchers interested in applying to the NSSN Grand Challenge Fund 2026 can register to attend online webinars providing information on the fund, tips on submitting a successful application and an opportunity to ask questions.
Webinar I - Tuesday 18 November 2025 - Register
Webinar II – Tuesday 3 February 2026 - Register
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 strongly 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 – how the project represents a significant and novel approach 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 defines a pathway to commercialisation. 15%
• Diversity – How the project represents diversity of gender and under-represented cohorts in the team. 10%
Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with their local NSSN Coordinator 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
o Environment & Agriculture: Dr Tomonori Hu
o Human Health: Catherine Oates-Smith
o Natural Hazards: Peter Runcie
o Net Zero: Dr Tomonori Hu
o Smart Places: Peter Runcie
NSSN Coordinators
o ANU: Nishank Shah
o Macquarie University: Matt Bevin
o UNSW: Emily Zeng
o University of Sydney: Andrew Kemp
o UTS: Sabina Doldor
o Western Sydney University: André Urfer
o University of Wollongong: Sheridan Gho
Applications close on 24 February 2026 at 5pm.
Read more about the funding conditions and find the application form on the NSSN Grand Challenge Fund page.