Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
The KONEKSI EV Mechanism Call for Proposals (CfP) has been launched to support Indonesian and Australian organisations in conducting collaborative research under the theme “Addressing the Socio-economic and Environmental Impacts of Red Mud (Bauxite Residue).”
This initiative is funded by the Australian Government and jointly implemented by the governments of Australia and Indonesia. It aims to strengthen bilateral research partnerships, exchange knowledge, and produce high-quality, applied research that informs policy and benefits local communities.
The program is guided by three principles: fostering institutional linkages between Australian and Indonesian organisations, demonstrating real impact that contributes to policy or technological solutions, and integrating gender equality, disability, and social inclusion into project design and implementation. The CfP ensures transparency by allowing research consortiums to form independently and compete in an open, merit-based process.
The funded research is expected to generate outputs that not only address technical challenges related to red mud management but also consider its wider socio-economic and environmental effects. Projects must adapt their approaches to Indonesian contexts, ensuring that communities affected by red mud are engaged and benefit from the research outcomes.
Technical research may focus on reducing the storage footprint and risks of tailing facilities, developing techniques to repurpose bauxite residue into usable materials such as cement or construction products, or identifying process improvements to lower the volume of red mud produced during alumina refining. Cross-cutting research areas include evaluating the impact of red mud on communities, strengthening engagement strategies with local stakeholders, and assessing regulatory and policy frameworks for more effective management.
A total of up to AUD 600,000 is available under this call, which will be awarded to a single research project. The project will be implemented over one year, with the possibility of a no-cost extension until April 2027.
To be eligible, proposals must be submitted by a consortium including at least one Indonesian and one Australian organisation. The lead applicant, designated as the Principal Organisation, must be a research institution such as a university, think tank, or NGO with demonstrated research capacity and the ability to manage funds responsibly. Partner organisations may include universities, research institutions, civil society groups, women’s organisations, and government agencies in Australia or Indonesia. For-profit entities cannot serve as Principal Organisations or receive funding under this CfP.
Through this initiative, KONEKSI seeks to advance knowledge, build strong partnerships, and deliver practical solutions that reduce the negative impacts of red mud on people and the environment, while strengthening institutional ties between Australia and Indonesia.
For more information, visit KONEKSI.
