Apply now for Social Sciences Week Spark Grant in Australia

Deadline: 30-Jun-25

The Academy of Social Sciences in Australia is excited to announce a new grant program, “spark” new ideas and diverse Social Sciences Week events to reach more audiences across Australia.

Social Sciences Week is an annual event with the goal of celebrating and showcasing the diverse range of social science disciplines and research in Australia. Events are delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and community groups.

Funding Information

Total program funding available is $10,000, excl GST.
Award grants of up to $1,000.

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenditure includes:
- Venue hire, security charges and equipment hire
- Consumable materials for your event
- Speaker/content creator/facilitator(s) gifts/honoraria
- Promotional material and advertising (e.g. design, printing, distribution)
- Online platform subscriptions/software/online storage costs (for the duration of the event)
- Catering expenses, excluding alcohol.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are invited from:
- Social science or related disciplinary organisations, professional associations or networks
- University academic units and centres in the social sciences
- Local government (e.g., Councils, libraries, youth, and family services)
- Specialist interest groups, local clubs, and societies
- Arts, community and environmental organisations and societies
- Individuals working with community groups on social science topics.
To be eligible you or your organisation must meet the following conditions:
- For all applicants:
  - Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  - Ensure the event is open to the general public – online or in-person – and advertised on the Social Sciences Week website
  - Ensure the event is social-science themed
  - Agree to organise the event during Social Sciences Week 2025 (8-14 September) or if necessary in the week immediately before or after.
  - Agree to provide information and images to the Academy’s communications team for purposes of promoting Social Sciences Week.
  - Agree to receive a short survey on the experience with Social Sciences Week and the Spark Grant program after the conclusion of SSW2025, irrespective of the outcome of the grant application.
  - Individual applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- For in-person events:
  - Ensure appropriate public liability or other insurance is held by the organisation or hosting venue.
  - Ensure that risk assessment and risk mitigation is completed as part of event planning, and that all staff or volunteers have current working with children/vulnerable people checks, as required.