Submissions open for the Hermon Slade Foundation Grant Program

Deadline: 13-Mar-2026

The Hermon Slade Foundation Grant Program provides competitive research funding of up to A$30,000 per year for Australian universities and eligible institutions working in the biological and biophysical sciences. The program prioritizes projects that improve land, water, plant, and animal management while enhancing productivity, conserving biodiversity, and supporting environmental sustainability. Applications for the next funding round close on 13 March 2026, with projects commencing in July 2026.

Program Overview

The Hermon Slade Foundation Grant Program supports high-quality research activities undertaken by Australian universities and other appropriate Australian institutions.

The program focuses on applied and fundamental research that improves the management of natural resources, including land, water, plants, and animals, while balancing productivity with environmental conservation and human welfare.

Funding is awarded on a competitive basis and is intended to support discrete, well-defined research components that would not proceed without Foundation support.

Core Focus Areas and Research Priorities

The Foundation particularly favours projects that:

• Improve systems for managing land, water, plants, and animals

• Enhance productivity and quality in food systems, fisheries, forestry, and plant-based industries

• Conserve the natural environment and preserve biodiversity

• Prevent pollution of soils and water

• Support sustainable practices that enhance human welfare

Projects must fall within the biological or biophysical sciences or demonstrate a clear application in these fields.

Medical research is explicitly not eligible for funding.

Funding Amount and Project Duration

The Hermon Slade Foundation typically provides:

• Up to A$30,000 per year (excluding GST)

• A maximum funding duration of three years

• Funding released in annual instalments

Continued funding each year is contingent on satisfactory progress and financial reporting.

Geographic Scope of Funding

Funding is awarded primarily to Australian institutions and usually supports activities conducted within Australia.

In limited cases, projects based in south-west Pacific countries may be considered, provided that:

• The project operates under the umbrella of an Australian university or appropriate Australian institution

• The project clearly aligns with the Foundation’s objectives

Eligible Institutions and Applicants

Eligible Institutions

Applications must be submitted by:

• Australian universities

• Other appropriate Australian research institutions

All grants are awarded to institutions, not individuals.

Project Leader Eligibility

To be eligible as a project leader:

• The applicant must not be a student

• Only one application may be submitted per project leader per funding round

• No individual may hold more than one active Hermon Slade Foundation grant at the same time

• The project leader must commit an appropriate and clearly defined amount of time to the funded work

Early-career researchers are eligible and may receive positive consideration if they demonstrate strong research outputs or applied impact.

What the Funding Can and Cannot Support

Eligible Costs

Funding may be used for:

• Salaries of technicians and research assistants

• Essential travel directly related to the project

• Equipment and materials required for project delivery

All budget items must be fully justified and demonstrably essential to the research.

Ineligible Costs

The following costs are not supported:

• Salaries of scientific research staff

• Student stipends or scholarships

• Administrative or overhead costs

• Conference attendance

• Journal publication or open-access fees

Budgets that include ineligible or poorly justified costs are unlikely to be funded.

Project Design Requirements

The proposed research must:

• Be a clearly identifiable and discrete element of research

• Be capable of independent evaluation of outputs and outcomes

• Not proceed without Hermon Slade Foundation support, even if embedded within a larger project

Projects that demonstrate potential to lead to larger external grants from other funding sources are viewed favourably.

How the Grant Process Works

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm institutional eligibility and project alignment with Foundation objectives

2. Design a discrete biological or biophysical research project

3. Prepare a realistic, fully justified budget

4. Register on the Hermon Slade Foundation online submission system

5. Submit the application before the deadline

All applications must be submitted exclusively through the Foundation’s online system.

Reporting and Funding Release

• Funding is released annually

• Annual progress reports and financial statements are required

• An additional progress report must be submitted six months after project commencement

Failure to meet reporting requirements may affect continued funding.

Assessment and Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

• Scientific merit and originality

• Sound experimental and research design

• Cost-effectiveness and value for money

• Relevance to the Foundation’s objectives

• Qualifications, experience, and track record of the principal investigator

• Capacity building and development of research expertise

Recognition is given to early-career researchers demonstrating strong outputs or applied outcomes.

Important Dates and Timeline

• Application deadline: 13 March 2026

• Project start date: July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to plan project timelines carefully to align with reporting and funding instalments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing projects outside the biological or biophysical sciences

• Including medical or health research components

• Requesting funding for ineligible costs

• Submitting vague or poorly justified budgets

• Proposing work that is not a discrete, independently evaluable research component

Clear alignment with Foundation priorities is critical.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum funding available?

Up to A$30,000 per year, excluding GST, for a maximum of three years.

Who can apply for the grant?

Australian universities and appropriate Australian institutions acting on behalf of an eligible project leader.

Are students allowed to apply as project leaders?

No. Applications from students acting as project leaders are not accepted.

Can the grant support international projects?

Yes, in limited cases, projects in the south-west Pacific may be supported if led by an Australian institution.

Does the grant support staff salaries?

Yes, for technicians and research assistants only. Salaries for scientific research staff are not covered.

Is medical research eligible?

No. Medical research is explicitly excluded.

How are applications submitted?

Applications are submitted exclusively through the Hermon Slade Foundation’s online submission system after registration.

Conclusion

The Hermon Slade Foundation Grant Program offers targeted, flexible funding for high-quality biological and biophysical research that balances productivity with environmental sustainability. By supporting discrete, well-designed projects with strong scientific merit and future funding potential, the program plays an important role in advancing sustainable land, water, plant, and animal management in Australia and the wider region.

For more information, visit The Hermon Slade Foundation.