Holmesglen’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation delivers competitive funding rounds designed to support applied research within the care economy. The program encourages collaboration between Victorian TAFE researchers and industry partners to address real-world challenges and deliver measurable impact.
Funding rounds
Round one: Applications closed
Care Economy and Industry Impact (round one) was dedicated to driving industry relevance and impact, supporting research projects designed to address the complex needs of the care economy.
Round two: Applications closed
Early Career Practitioner-Researchers (round two) was dedicated to building capacity within the sector, supporting early career practitioner researchers as they establish their applied research careers. This round focused on the care economy, specifically building skills through collaborative research with SME partners.
Round three: Applications are now open
This round provides Victorian TAFE professionals, across both VET and Higher Education, the opportunity to lead rapid-response projects. We are seeking solutions to real-world problems that enhance the Victorian training ecosystem and specifically bridge the pathways between vocational and higher education.
Funding round overview
Supported by the Victorian Government, Holmesglen’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation is offering a third opportunity for new or early-career researchers from a Victorian TAFE institute and industry partners to collaborate on real-world applied research projects in the care economy.
Funding range: $50,000 (fully funded)
Project duration: 6 months
Eligibility: New or early-career researchers from a Victorian TAFE institute. Successful research applicants from rounds one and two are ineligible.
Project focus: Must have a strong collaboration with an SME in the care economy and demonstrate a specific, immediate benefit to that partner.
We are looking for projects addressing challenges in these vital care economy areas:
- Aged care and disability support
- Community support services
- Early childhood education and care
- Hospital and medical services
- Housing, wellbeing, and allied health
Deadline: Monday 16 March 5pm AEST
Follow these steps to prepare and submit your application.
Step one: Review the funding documents
- Grant application form: Required for all submissions. [Download the Grant Application Form]
- Budget pro forma template: Detail your project's financial plan. [Download the Budget pro forma template XLSX]
- Application Guide: Advice for building strong industry collaboration. [Download the application guide pdf]
Mandatory budget template
The Budget Proforma template is a mandatory attachment that must be submitted with your other grant application documents. This is separate from the main application form. To request the official template, please email: appliedresearch@holmesglen.edu.au. We provide this as a protected file to ensure accurate calculations.
Step two: Complete your application
- Fill out the Grant Application Form
- Include your completed mandatory Budget Proforma Template (requested via email)
- Include all supporting documentation required under the Application Guidelines.
Step three: Submit your application
Email your full application documents to: appliedresearch@holmesglen.edu.au
Important: Successful round one and two applicants are not eligible to apply again. Unsuccessful applicants of both previous rounds are encouraged to reapply.
All grants are determined by an independent Research Project Advisory Committee (RPAC) comprising metropolitan and rural TAFEs, care economy industry partner representatives, the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery, and the Victorian Skills Authority. Ethical approval and research compliance are subject to third-party approval. Holmesglen Institute facilitates as a non-voting Chair and provides project administration.
Ethics approval
If your project involves human participants, you may require approval from a registered Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
- All applied research projects needing ethics approval will require approval from an external accredited human research ethics organisation (e.g., Bellberry Limited).
- Budgeting for ethics approval? Ensure external review costs are factored into your grant application.
Intellectual property
Before a project can begin, all partners must establish an intellectual property (IP) management strategy. The ARI Project Agreement may outline how IP is created, shared and governed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Only Victorian TAFE institutes are eligible. Dual-sector institutions and interstate TAFEs are not eligible.
Yes. You may apply under multiple care economy topics.
Each application must be submitted separately.
Yes, but researchers with similar interests are encouraged to submit a single collaborative application.
No. Teams of any size are acceptable, provided the application demonstrates the capacity to deliver the project within budget and timeframe.
No. These organisations cannot be lead partners or co-applicants.
Projects funded externally by universities or tertiary bodies are not eligible.
It is permissible for a TAFE institute to receive in-kind support from a university on this project. However, please note the following key conditions:
- Research team composition: The core research team members must not be from a university. Your application should therefore not include any researchers from any university as part of the primary research team.
- University's role: The research application must clearly outline the university's specific role. For instance, their contribution could be limited to providing expert advice on areas such as informed consent procedures or engagement strategies with specific consumer cohorts.
Yes, this is encouraged. Please note, that to be eligible for round two funding, applicants must partner with an SME (refer to the application guide pdf).
Each letter should outline:
- The purpose of the research
- The reason for partnering
- Expected outcomes
- Financial or in-kind support
- Executive-level signature
Yes. One letter per partner organisation is required.
Projects involving human participants may require HREC approval. Applicants must identify risks, budget appropriately and secure approval before starting work.
Any registered Australian HREC can review your project.
There are around 200 HRECs nationally (via the NHMRC website).
Successful teams will:
- Submit milestone reports using the ARI reporting template
- Share findings through publications, conferences and ARI events
There is no restriction on publication formats.