Deadline: 07-Nov-2025
The NAWIC Bright Ideas Individual Grant 2026 is a $30,000 seed funding opportunity to support a woman, group, or partnership in Australia to launch a new business venture, program, or idea related to the construction industry.
The focus areas of this grant include supporting innovative projects that encourage and empower women to pursue careers and ventures in the construction industry; recognizing the creativity, adaptability, and leadership women bring to the sector; and enabling small business ownership that offers flexibility and autonomy suited to many women.
This grant aims to arm women and men in the industry with the skills and confidence needed to start their own businesses, award seed funding to deserving business ideas to help launch them, and provide ongoing in-kind support for the winner during 2026.
Eligibility requires applicants to be Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or over, female or having a female in a key leadership role within the proposed business startup, with the business venture not having commenced trading at the time of submission. Applicants must be paid members of NAWIC, and current NAWIC Board members or recent scholarship winners are not eligible.
The application process involves submitting a full business plan via the designated online platform, including a current CV, and participating in a panel interview if shortlisted. The judging criteria focus on the quality of business planning, originality of the idea, likelihood of success, and the potential to influence positive change in the construction industry, particularly around retention and culture change.
The successful recipient will receive $30,000 in seed funding, access to the NAWIC Mentor Program, complimentary NAWIC membership for one year, and access to NAWIC events to support networking and growth within the industry.
For more information, visit NAWIC.