RFAs: Research Conference Support Program (Australia)

The Research Conference Support Program (RCSP) for the 2027 Round is an open competitive grant initiative by the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer under the NSW Government. It aims to financially aid eligible research conferences held in New South Wales (NSW) in 2027, promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration aligned with NSW’s priorities. Applications close on 19 November 2026, at 10:00 am. The RCSP is part of the NSW Government’s Research Attraction and Acceleration Program, designed to enhance the state’s research and innovation landscape. By backing conferences that facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration, it seeks to overcome barriers to conference delivery, improve conference quality, and foster a diverse and inclusive conference ecosystem in science and technology. The grant provides financial support up to $10,000 for various conference-related expenses. These can include: Funds are dispensed as a cash contribution post-agreement with the Department, and recipients must ensure expenditures are reasonable and justified.

Eligible applicants include:

Ineligible applicants include individuals, partnerships, unincorporated associations, private companies, and government bodies at any level. Eligible conferences must focus on science or technology research and should align with themes such as: The RCSP provides vital support to research conferences, which are pivotal in driving scientific and technological advancements in NSW. By reducing financial barriers and promoting high-quality events, it strengthens the research community and contributes to the state’s economic and social development. Who can apply? Eligible applicants include NSW public sector research institutions, community groups, and non-profit organizations. What is the funding amount? The grant offers up to $10,000 per conference, subject to eligibility and application assessment. When is the application deadline? What costs can the grant cover? The grant can cover speaker costs, venue hire, marketing, and other conference-related expenses. Where should the conference be held? Conferences must be held within New South Wales, Australia. Eligible applicants should review the official guidelines and ensure their applications are complete and submitted by the deadline. For detailed eligibility and application instructions, visit the official Research Conference Support Program page.