Queensland-Chinese Academy of Sciences Collaborative Science Fund – Guidelines 2026 Round

Applications for the Queensland–Chinese Academy of Sciences Collaborative Science Fund are now open

About the program

The Queensland Government, through the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has a science and technology partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China’s peak scientific research organisation. The scope of this science and technology partnership is detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of Science and Technology Collaborations between the parties (the MOU).

The Queensland-Chinese Academy of Sciences Collaborative Science Fund (the fund) was established under the MOU.

It is anticipated that up to five Queensland applicants will be awarded grants of $125,000 (excluding GST) by the Queensland Government over a maximum of two years.

In addition, each of the CAS lead participants in the successful applications will receive an approximately equivalent amount of funding from CAS.

Program Objectives

The fund aims to develop relationships between Queensland and China by supporting practical and applied collaborative science and research projects in the priority areas of:

  • environmental sciences,
  • agricultural biotechnology and food research, including food safety, and
  • human health and medical research.

The objectives of the fund are to:

  • create and strengthen collaborative relationships between Queensland and CAS researchers to facilitate the sharing and development of complementary expertise,
  • enable Queensland and Chinese researchers to undertake projects that address current and significant scientific challenges,
  • boost collaboration between researchers and industry and maximise the application and commercialisation of research outcomes,
  • deliver real and tangible economic, social and/or environmental outcomes for Queensland and China through the creation of innovative products, technologies or processes that have a practical application, and
  • capitalise on the complementary comparative advantages of Queensland and China and build a critical mass of internationally recognised science and research.

Eligibility criteria

The proposed project must create and/or enhance a research alliance between Queensland and China research organisations, meeting the eligibility criteria below:

  • focus on the identified priority areas,
  • be led by a Queensland-based research organisation (with an ABN and registered for GST),
  • have a lead participant (partner) that is a CAS-affiliated institute and deemed eligible to apply for the grant by CAS,
  • have a cash contribution from the Queensland-based applicant of at least $75,000 (excluding GST),
  • have a cash contribution from the eligible CAS-affiliated participant (and any other partner/s) of at least $75,000 to match the Queensland applicant (and any partner/s) contribution. (Total project value will be a minimum of $400,000 comprising $125,000 each from DETSI and CAS and $75,000 each from the Queensland applicant and CAS lead participant), and
  • have cash and/or in-kind contribution from at least one Australian industry partner and/or Chinese industry partner which can:
    • apply the research outcomes, and
    • demonstrate a clear path to how the research outcomes will be applied.

Funds committed by the applicant and project partners to satisfy the matching cash requirements can include:

  • salaries (including salary-related on-costs) for any staff working on the project for a minimum of 15 per cent of their total work time, and
  • other direct and actual project costs (non-salaries).

The application is ineligible if:

  • the project is not a distinct activity/set of activities with specified start and end points, and aims and outcomes that are achievable within these specified points,
  • the lead Queensland-based applicant (and/or any Queensland partner/s) receives Queensland Government support for their core activities, and it cannot be demonstrated that the proposed project is an addition to those core activities, or
  • the activities carried out by partner organisation(s) are contract research activities, and do not involve genuine collaboration with the applicant organisation.

Application assessment

Applications will be assessed in a competitive, merit-based process against the fund’s assessment criteria, set out below, by a panel with scientific/research/industry expertise.

1. Level of novelty and scientific merit of the project (30% weighting):

  • The science and research are addressing a current and significant challenge for both Queensland and China.
  • Preliminary research has been undertaken (by the applicant, project partners or others) that supports the advancement of the project.

2. Quality of the collaboration and capability of the project team (30% weighting):

  • Science and research partners with complementary areas of expertise will work together on a specific project.
  • The project will build upon the competitive advantages of Queensland and China.
  • The participants have the research, scientific and management skills and experience, with the access to infrastructure and funding required, to successfully deliver the project.

3. Outcomes and impact of the project (40% weighting):

  • The project will develop innovative products, technologies or processes that have a practical application within an area of identified priority.
  • The project will deliver real and tangible economic, social, and/or environmental benefits for Queensland and China.
  • Financial contribution of industry partners is highly desirable. Contributions from other external parties would also be considered positively.

The assessment process will also take into account the government’s priorities and the imperative to contribute to environment outcomes and economic development, as well as the need to balance the research investment to support a diversity of capability across scientific disciplines, identified fund priority areas, geographic regions and research groups.

The Director-General of DETSI will approve successful Queensland applications for this grant program, based on recommendations from the independent assessment panels of Queensland and CAS.

Using the Queensland Government Funding

Funding may be used for the following eligible project costs:

  • salary costs for project staff (including salary-related on-costs),
  • project consumables, and
  • travel directly related to the project activities outlined in the submitted application.

Items not eligible for funding include:

  • organisational overheads,
  • capital works and/or physical infrastructure including any buildings, land transportation, telecommunications and IT networks,
  • travel for professional development or conference attendance,
  • costs associated with the on-going programs of work and/or core business of the applicant or partner organisation(s),
  • costs of quarantine related to travel, and
  • contract research for services that can be performed by the applicant organisation.

Queensland Government funding must either be expended wholly in Queensland, or if partly expended in the partnering jurisdiction, must directly support the Queensland research proponent (for example to cover costs to access specialised research equipment not available in Queensland).

Only eligible expenditure incurred on or after the project commencement date can be claimed by successful applicants.

Payment of grants will be made based on agreed periodic project milestones. A final milestone payment will be made upon the provision of documentary evidence that all project requirements have been satisfied, including evidence that total project expenditure has been incurred and project contributions made by all relevant parties.

Submitting your application

The closing time date for submitting applications is Monday 12 October 2026, 1:00pm AEST.

Applications should be completed and submitted electronically online via the secure SmartyGrants site and application documentation will remain strictly confidential. The link to the application form is available at SmartyGrants.

CAS accepts one application per CAS Institute. Therefore, applicants should ensure that they have discussed eligibility of their partner's application prior to submission.

Applicants should confirm that their Chinese partner institute is CAS affiliated prior to submission.

Required documentation

Queensland applicants are required to submit the following documentation with their application:

  • A letter of support or letter of commitment from research and industry partner organisations detailing the cash contributions and in-kind support to be committed to the project,
  • Two quotes for expenditure items over $10,000. If you are unable to provide two quotes, an explanation must be provided in the application form as to why not. Failure to provide two quotes may affect the success of the application, and
  • Evidence of public liability insurance coverage of at least $20 million (in total per event) that is current and remains current for the duration of the project.

All supporting documentation is mandatory where required and failure to provide such supporting documents as specified may result in your application being deemed ineligible or being unsuccessful.

Funding agreements

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a legally binding financial incentive agreement with the Queensland Government.

Ensure you have read and accept the terms and conditions of the financial incentive agreement (PDF, 681.0KB) , and declaration (PDF, 328.3KB) prior to submitting an application for funding, as they will not be negotiable at the time a funding offer is made.

Funding can only be provided to successful applicants once both the Applicant and DETSI (on behalf of the Queensland Government) have signed the Financial Incentive Agreement, and all required documentation has been received by the department.

Applications and GST

Successful applicants registered for GST will receive funding that includes a GST component to cover relevant costs, which must be paid to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

As a result, these applicants are required to present their budgets excluding GST. GST-registered recipients can subsequently claim back the GST component on eligible expenses from the ATO.

For advice on GST, please seek assistance from the Australian Tax Office.

Application outcome

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their submission in writing. Details including the name of successful applicants, funding allocated, location of the project and a description of the project will be published on the Queensland Government website and may be announced through media including social media.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the Grants Coordinator regarding funding arrangements, grant agreements and other documentation/approvals that may be required (refer to the ‘Required documents’ section of this guideline).

Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback on their application by emailing grantsadministration@detsi.qld.gov.au. Applicants may lodge an appeal with the department for any decisions made relating to their grant application by emailing grantsadministration@detsi.qld.gov.au within two months of advice being received.

Promotion of supported projects

Funding recipients will be expected to actively promote their research, and to provide information and attend media/promotion events if requested.

The Queensland Government funding should be acknowledged by recipients in all relevant published material, media releases and public statements.

Privacy

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) collects information, including your personal information, on the application form to evaluate applications for the Queensland-Chinese Academy of Sciences Collaborative Science grants and to announce and publicise the successful applicants.

Applications for the Program are to be lodged on the SmartyGrants website, a third-party cloud-based platform operated by 'Our Community Pty Ltd'. The Our Community Privacy Policy states that they may use third party service providers that may store information outside Australia. By lodging an application, you do so under the conditions in the Our Community Privacy Policy and agree to any overseas transfer of information made in accordance with that Policy.

The information contained in the application will be provided to authorised DETSI officers and approved grant assessors under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 (Qld) for the purpose of assessing and administering the application. The approved grant assessors are required to sign an agreement that binds them to hold the information in confidence and in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

Generic data (no personal information) will also be provided to Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ).

Information contained in your application, including the applicant and organisation names, contact details, project description and partnering supervisor, will also be provided to the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other relevant Australian Government agencies for the purpose of assessment under the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020 (Cth). By lodging an application, you agree to this information being transferred as mentioned above.

The Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation will publicly announce details of the successful applicants. Following that announcement, the details of successful applicants will be listed on the Queensland Government website. Therefore, if your application is successful, the following information will be published on the Queensland Government website:

  • your name, and your organisation's name
  • the total amount of funding allocated
  • the project name, location, description and partnering organisation
  • the expected project outcomes
  • photographs or any other details.

This information may also be used and/or disclosed to promote the Program and the funded projects.

Your personal information will not otherwise be used or disclosed unless authorised or required by law.

Further information

Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation:
Email: grantsadministration@detsi.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3330 6360

Chinese partners can obtain more information from the Chinese Academy of Sciences:
Email: xmdu@cashq.ac.cn
Phone: +8610 6859 7569