Theo Murphy Initiative: Amplify Activity Grants (Australia)

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Theo Murphy Initiative Amplify Activity Grants provide up to $15,000 for new workshops, training sessions, networking activities, mentoring, and other add-on activities designed specifically for early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) alongside existing STEM conferences or symposiums in Australia. The grants support EMCR leadership, professional development, collaboration, and networking, but cannot fund standalone conferences or the core costs of an existing event. What Are the Theo Murphy Initiative Amplify Activity Grants? The Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) Amplify Activity Grants support early- and mid-career researchers who want to create additional activities alongside established STEM conferences or symposiums. The programme is designed to increase the value of existing scientific events by adding activities that specifically address the professional development and networking needs of EMCRs. The programme also allows EMCRs to gain practical experience in planning and delivering activities within the research community. What Can the Grant Fund? Each successful project can receive up to $15,000. Funding can support costs that are directly associated with the proposed Amplify activity.

Potential activities include:

Workshops Training programmes Mentoring sessions Networking activities EMCR development events Other supplementary activities that benefit early- and mid-career researchers The funding must be connected specifically to the new add-on activity. It cannot be used to cover the core costs of the existing conference or symposium. What Activities Are Not Eligible? The Amplify Activity Grants are specifically intended for additional activities connected to an existing STEM event. Therefore, the following are not eligible: Standalone conferences Independent events Core conference costs Activities that are already part of the existing event programme Expenses unrelated to the proposed Amplify activity Applicants must clearly demonstrate that the proposed activity is new, additional, and specifically beneficial to EMCRs. Who Are Early- and Mid-Career Researchers? An early- and mid-career researcher (EMCR) is a researcher who is within the programme’s specified period following completion of their PhD. For this grant, applicants must generally be less than 15 years post-PhD, with eligible career interruptions taken into account under the programme rules. The organising committee must also remain EMCR-led. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements.

The applicant must:

Be less than 15 years post-PhD, subject to eligible career interruptions. Reside in Australia. Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Include eligible Special Category Visa holders where applicable. Be employed on an ongoing basis by an eligible Australian research organisation. Act as the project lead. Lead an EMCR-focused organising committee. Have an organising committee of at least three members. Ensure EMCRs form the majority of the organising committee. Provide evidence that the host conference or symposium supports the proposed activity. Demonstrate confirmed or well-developed sponsorship or partner contributions. Applicants who have received a Theo Murphy Initiative Australia Flagship or Amplify grant within the previous three years are not eligible. What Is an EMCR-Led Organising Committee? The project must be led by an organising committee rather than being solely controlled by a senior researcher.

The committee must:

Have at least three members. Have EMCRs as the majority. Take responsibility for designing and delivering the Amplify activity. Focus the activity on meaningful benefits for EMCR participants. Senior researchers may participate where permitted, but EMCRs must retain the majority. Why Is Host Event Support Important? The Amplify activity must take place alongside an existing STEM conference or symposium. Applicants therefore need to demonstrate that the host event supports the proposed additional activity.

The proposal should clearly explain:

What the existing event is. When and where it will take place. How the proposed activity fits alongside it. Why the activity is not already included in the main programme. How the activity will provide additional value to EMCR participants. How to Apply Applicants should develop their proposal around the needs of EMCRs and demonstrate that the proposed activity adds something new to an established STEM event.

Step 1: Identify an Eligible STEM Event

Select an existing conference or symposium that can host the proposed Amplify activity. A standalone event cannot be funded under this programme.

Step 2: Identify an EMCR Need

Clearly identify a professional development, networking, mentoring, training, or collaboration gap affecting EMCRs. The proposed activity should directly address that gap.

Step 3: Design the Add-On Activity

Develop a practical activity such as:

A specialist workshop. Training session. Mentoring programme. Networking event. Career development activity. Collaboration workshop. Explain how it will complement rather than duplicate the main event.

Step 4: Establish the Organising Committee

Create an organising committee with at least three members. Ensure that EMCRs make up the majority of the committee and have meaningful leadership responsibilities.

Step 5: Secure Host Event Support

Obtain evidence that the existing conference or symposium supports the proposed Amplify activity.

Step 6: Develop the Budget

Prepare a budget of up to $15,000. Only include costs directly related to delivering the new Amplify activity. Do not include expenses associated with the core conference.

Step 7: Demonstrate Partnerships and Sponsorship

Provide evidence of confirmed or well-developed sponsorship or contributions from partners.

Step 8: Complete the Application

Ensure all required information and supporting evidence are included before submission. Applications must be complete when submitted.