Guidelines

About the Program

The Queensland Government and the Bavarian State Government recognise that a strong research and development capability is a critical driver for innovation, economic growth and job creation. International partnerships are important for maintaining the relevance and impact of local science activities.

Queensland and Bavaria have built a collaboration on shared universal values by combining and integrating their complementary strengths, including (1) advanced technologies (2) abundant resources (3) strong knowledge-based societies/communities (4) high levels of digitalisation, and (5) extensive innovation potential.

The Queensland-Bavaria Collaborative Research Program (the Program) is a joint initiative formed under the Declaration of Intent between the then Department of Environment and Science and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts (StMWK), signed 25 May 2023.

This Program provides Queensland Government funding under two categories of grants - Seed Grants and Development Grants. Seed Grants seek to support activities in the development of new or existing partnerships between Queensland-based universities/ research organisations and Bavarian higher education institutes. Development Grants seek to support more significant collaboration research activities between Queensland universities/research organisations, Bavarian higher education institutes, and industry partners.

Program objectives

The objectives of the Program are to help build Queensland and Bavaria’s international reputation, bolster Queensland’s capacity in research and development, support the growth of businesses to deliver new products and services into global markets, and support new industries that will provide future jobs.

The program aims to:

• support the development of long-term strategic research alliances between higher education organisations and industry between Queensland and Bavaria
• facilitate joint efforts and outcomes that exceed what an individual research organisation or project can expect
• build research and development capacity and boost Queensland and Bavaria’s international scientific impact and reputation
• boost collaboration between researchers and industry and maximise the application and commercialisation of research outcomes.

In order to develop relationships between Queensland and Bavaria as contemplated in the Declaration of Intent the parties will provide grant funding for collaborative projects being undertaken jointly by eligible applicants in specified priority areas.

Priority research areas

Applications under the Program are invited from eligible projects that align with one or more of the following priority research areas.

Additive manufacturing

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• Multi-Material Printing
• Supply Chain Certification and Trust
• Human-centred Design and Engineering.

Aerospace

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• Sustainable aerospace technologies and human habitation
• Autonomous and Unmanned Aerospace Systems (drones and robotics)
• Advanced Manufacturing and Materials for Aerospace
• Space systems and technologies including rockets, satellite manufacturing and hypersonics
• Aerospace cybersecurity, communication and risk analysis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• Societal Impact of AI
• Machine Learning Tools for Sustainable Energy
• Data Management and Algorithmic Engineering.

Cleantech and emission reduction technologies

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• SustainabilitySmart Cities and Mobilities beyond Urban Spaces
• Ending Plastic Waste
• Regional Development through Sustainable Practices.

Defence

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• Autonomous Systems
• Agile Command and Control
• Hypersonics
• Personnel Protective Measures.

Energy (including green hydrogen, synthetic fuels and energy storage)

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• Hydrogen Production, Transport, Utilisation and Storage
• Waste Utilisation for Fuels and Energy Materials
• Hybrid Processes for Renewable Fuel Production
• Biofuels and Bioenergy Development
• Regional Energy Solutions and Infrastructure Development.

Health, life sciences, biomedical research and bioeconomy

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• New Treatments for Infections and Wound Care
• Healthy Ageing and Chronic Diseases
• Smart Wearables
• Biofabrication
• Waste Utilisation for Food and Polymeric Materials
• Low-cost and Scalable Processes for Biomass Utilization at Distributed Sites
• Resilient Crops for more Sustainable Agriculture
• New Products from Underutilized Plants.

Quantum technologies

Example focus areas include, but are not limited to:

• Quantum systems, devices, components and materials
• Quantum computing including quantum algorithms and simulations (e.g., for drug development)
• Quantum communications including detection, imaging, metrology, positioning, navigation and timing
• Quantum sensing including quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography
• Quantum policy frameworks.

Category 1—Seed Grants

Funding amount provided by the Queensland Government: $8,000 (excluding GST) over 12 months.

Application deadline: Wednesday 8 April 2026 at 1:00pm AEST.

Deadlines for submitting an application are strict. No extensions will be provided.

An applicant (Queensland Project Leader) can submit one application per category (Seed and Development) per Round.

It is anticipated that up to 7 Queensland applicants will be awarded Seed Grants of up to $8,000 each (excluding GST) by the Queensland Government over a maximum of 12 months.

In addition, each of the corresponding successful Bavarian applicants will receive a funding of up to €10,000 from StMWK.

The Seed Grants are intended to support activities in the development of new or existing partnerships between Queensland and Bavarian universities that lead to collaboration in:

• research which supports the development of emerging and priority industries in Queensland and Bavaria
• research components of pilot and/or demonstration projects in collaboration with industry partner(s)
• activities resulting in proof-of-concepts
• feasibility analysis or/and market potential assessment.

Activities funded under the Seed Grants may include:

• the organisation of face-to-face and/or virtual joint symposia, workshops, mobility projects, and webinars
• local activities (in Bavaria and Queensland) that support the development of new collaborative research and industry linkages
• initiatives that may lead to future joint funding applications with the Bavarian counterpart to relevant programs in Queensland, Australia, and Europe.

Seed Grants – eligibility

The proposed activity must create and/or enhance a research alliance between Queensland and Bavaria, meeting the eligibility criteria below.

Applicants

• must be a Queensland-based university or research organisation (with an ABN and registered for GST)
• must have a “cash” contribution (excluding overheads) of at least $8,000 (excluding GST).

Funds committed by the applicant to satisfy the matched “cash” requirement can include any combination of:

• cash
• salaries (including salary-related on-costs) for any staff working on the project for a minimum of 20 per cent of their total work time
• other direct and actual project costs (non-salaries).

Projects

• Must focus on at least one of the identified priority research areas.
• Must have a lead applicant that is a Bavarian higher education institute deemed eligible to apply for the grants by StMWK.
• Must have no more than one lead applicant from Queensland and no more than one lead applicant from Bavaria.
• Project activities carried out by the Queensland and Bavarian applicants must involve genuine collaboration.

Applications

• All joint project proposals must be submitted in two separate applications by each jurisdiction’s specified closing dates and times. Queensland applicants must submit to the Queensland application portal SmartyGrants. Bavarian applicants must submit the corresponding proposal to the Bavarian application portal MoveOn through the Bavaria-Australia Coordination Unit.
• The content provided in the Queensland application, and corresponding Bavarian application, must be as identical or similar as possible (this may include information on participating partners, vision, objectives, outcomes, impact, timeline and budget). Significant inconsistencies or gaps in information between the two applications may be disadvantageous as the proposals are assessed independently by each jurisdiction.

Required documentation

It is an eligibility requirement that the below documentation be provided in the Seed Grant application.

Necessary attachments include:

• CVs (maximum of 2 pages) for the Queensland Project Leader and Bavarian Project Leader, including brief research summaries
• a letter of support by an accountable officer of the two leading applicant’s institutions (Queensland and Bavaria) respectively.

Successful applicants will be required to provide the following prior to the release of any grant funding:

• evidence of public liability insurance coverage of at least $20 million that is current and remains current for the duration of the project
• Certificate of Currency for workplace health and safety insurance and evidence of adequate insurance coverage for workers and volunteers as required under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (where applicable).

Ineligible applicants

The application is ineligible if:

• the project is not a distinct activity/set of activities with specified milestones and aims and outcomes that are achievable by the relevant milestone dates
• the applicant, and/or any domestic Project Partners, are already receiving Queensland Government financial support for the core activities in the proposed project, and it cannot be demonstrated that the proposed project is clearly different or in addition to these core activities
• the activities carried out by Project Partners are contract research activities, and do not involve genuine collaboration with the applicant
• the applicant fails to provide the required attachments in the application form, including CVs of the lead Queensland and Bavarian Project Leaders and a letter of support from the Queensland and Bavarian applicants
• an application is not submitted by the project’s associated Bavarian lead applicant to the Bavaria-Australia Coordination Unit through the MoveOn online application portal.

Eligible project costs

Funding may be used for the following eligible project costs:

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

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).

Ineligible project costs

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.

Project activities and eligible expenditure should not be conducted or expended until the Financial Incentive Agreement for the project has been executed (signed by both parties).

Assessment criteria for Seed Grants

Applications will be assessed in a competitive, merit-based process against the assessment criteria set out below, by a panel with relevant expertise:

1. Anticipated outcomes and benefits of the proposed activities (50% weighting)
2. Alignment of activity with the Program priorities and objectives (30% weighting)
3. Quality of the potential collaboration and capability of the potential project team (20% weighting).

Category 2—Development Grants

Funding amount provided by the Queensland government: $110,000 (excluding GST) over 24 months.

Application deadline: 20 May 2026 at 1:00pm AEST.

Deadlines for submitting an application are strict. No extensions will be provided.

An applicant (Queensland Project Leader) can submit one application per category (Seed and Development) per Round.

It is anticipated that up to five Queensland applicants will be awarded Development Grants of up to $110,000 (excluding GST) by the Queensland Government, over a maximum of two years. In addition, each of the corresponding successful Bavarian applicants will receive a funding of up to €70,000 from StMWK.

The Development Grants will support research projects and activities including:

• research that supports the development of emerging and priority industries in Queensland and Bavaria
• research in collaboration with industry partner(s) including but not limited to the research components of pilot and/or demonstration projects
• activities resulting in proof-of-concept.

Development grants – eligibility

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

Applicants

• Must be a Queensland-based university or research organisation (with an ABN and registered for GST).
• Must have a 'cash' contribution (excluding overheads) of at least $60,000 (excluding GST).

Funds committed by the applicant  to satisfy the  “cash” requirement can include any combination of:

• cash
• salaries (including salary-related on-costs) for any staff working on the project for a minimum of 20 per cent of their total work time
• other direct and actual project costs (non-salaries).

Please note, contributions from Project Partners cannot be counted toward the Queensland applicant “cash” contribution.

Projects

• Must focus on at least one of the identified priority research areas
• Must have a lead applicant that is a Bavarian higher education institute deemed eligible to apply for the grants by StMWK
• Must have at least one Queensland/Australian and/or Bavarian industry partner that can:
  • apply the research outcomes
  • demonstrate a clear path to how the research outcomes will be applied.
• All industry partners must:
  • have a cash or in-kind contribution towards the cost of the project
  • provide a letter of support detailing the partner’s involvement in the project including outlining all cash and/or in-kind contributions (with an estimated value of all in-kind contributions) to be made towards the project.
• Each project must have no more than one lead applicant from Queensland and no more than one lead applicant from Bavaria
• Project activities carried out by the lead Queensland and Bavarian applicants must involve genuine collaboration.

Applications

• All joint project proposals must be submitted in two separate applications by each jurisdictions specified closing dates and times. Queensland applicants must submit to the Queensland application portal SmartyGrants. Bavarian applicants must submit the corresponding proposal to the Bavarian application portal MoveOn at the Bavaria-Australia Coordination Unit.
• The content provided in the Queensland application, and corresponding Bavarian application, must be as identical or similar as possible (this may include information on participating partners, vision, objectives, outcomes, impact, timeline and budget). Significant inconsistencies or gaps in information between the two applications may be disadvantageous as the proposals are assessed independently by each jurisdiction.

Required documentation

It is an eligibility requirement that the below documentation be provided in the Development Grant application:

• CVs for the Queensland Project Leader and Bavarian Project Leader, including brief research summaries
• a letter of support by an accountable officer of the two leading applicant’s institutions (Queensland and Bavaria) respectively
• a letter of support from all industry Project Partners (including industry partners from Bavaria) detailing the cash contributions and in-kind support to be committed to the project. If in-kind contributions are to be made, the estimated value of those contributions should be included in the letter of support.

Successful applicants will be required to provide the following prior to the release of any grant funding:

• evidence of public liability insurance coverage of at least $20 million that is current and remains current for the duration of the project.
• certificate of Currency for workplace health and safety insurance and evidence of adequate insurance coverage for workers and volunteers as required under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (where applicable).

Ineligible applicants

The application is ineligible if:

• the project is not a distinct activity/set of activities with specified milestones, and aims and outcomes that are achievable by the relevant milestone dates
• the applicant, and/or any domestic Project Partners, are already receiving Queensland Government financial support for core activities in the proposed project, and it cannot be demonstrated that the proposed project is clearly different or in addition to these core activities
• the activities carried out by the participant(s) are contract research activities, and do not involve genuine collaboration with the applicant
• The applicant fails to provide the required attachments in the application form including CVs of the lead Queensland and Bavarian Project Leaders, a letter of support from the Queensland and Bavarian applicants, and letters of support from all industry partners
• an application is not submitted by the project’s associated Bavarian lead applicant to the Bavarian-Australia Coordination Unit through the MoveOn online application portal.

Eligible project costs

Funding may be used for the following eligible project costs:

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

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).

Ineligible project costs

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
• contract research for services that can be performed by the applicant organisation.

Project activities and eligible expenditure should not be conducted or made until the grant agreement for the project has been executed (signed by both parties).

Assessment criteria for Development Grants

Applications will be assessed in a competitive, merit-based process against the assessment criteria set out below, by a panel with relevant expertise.

1. Level of novelty and scientific merit of the project (30% weighting):
   • The research project addresses a current and significant challenge for both Queensland and Bavaria.
   • 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 Bavaria.
   • The participants have the research, scientific and management skills and experience, with the access to infrastructure and funding required, to successfully deliver the project.
   • Level/nature of involvement of local industry partners.
3. Outcomes and impact of the project (40% weighting):
   • The project will develop innovative, technologies or processes that have the potential for practical application within an area of identified priority. Technology readiness will be taken into account.
   • The project will deliver real and tangible economic, social, and/or environmental benefits for Queensland and Bavaria.

Application process

Applicants are required to submit the application all supporting documentation in full by the submission deadline. All Queensland lead applications must be submitted using SmartyGrants, the department’s online grants administration program.

The SmartyGrants Help Guide for applicants explains the steps you need to take to complete and submit your form. If you experience technical difficulties creating an account or completing an online form, contact SmartyGrants on (03) 9320 6888.

Applicants should confirm that their Bavarian partner institute is an STMWK approved institute prior to submission.

Funding agreements

Successful Queensland 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 and declaration 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

Applicants registered for GST will not be provided with funding to account for costs directly associated with GST and are required to provide the GST exclusive amount in their budget. Recipients registered for GST can claim the GST component for any expenditure that they incur back from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

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

Outcomes and funding availability

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their submission in writing. Successful recipients are expected to be announced from late 2026, pending approvals by both international departments.

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 Information

As detailed in the Terms and Conditions of the Financial Incentive Agreement, the information provided during the application process, including your personal information, will be collected by DETSI as is necessary to evaluate applications, populate Financial Incentive Agreements, and 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).

Information contained in your application, including the applicant and organisation names, project description and partnering supervisor, will also be provided to the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts for the purpose of assessing the application and administering the program. By lodging an application, you agree to this information being transferred to the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, which is subject to the Bavarian Data Protection Act Bavaria | DataGuidance. If you require further information on the protections provided for under that Act, please speak with your contact at the Bavarian Ministry.

The Minister for the Environment and Tourism and the 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, which may include:

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

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

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

The executed Financial Incentive Agreements, including all information contained in the agreements, are required to be lodged on the Foreign Arrangement Online Portal as subsidiary arrangements to the DoI between the Queensland Government and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts – Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (StMWK) under the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020.

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

Further Information

If you have any questions relating to these guidelines or if you would like to discuss your application, please contact the relevant grants coordinators on the below contact information. Please note, a grants coordinator can provide you with the best advice based on the information provided. All decisions relating to a grant application will be made based on the information contained in the application.

Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Email: science.grants@detsi.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3516 0484

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (StMWK): Bavaria-Australia Coordination Unit

Email: bacu@uni-bayreuth.de
Phone: +49 921 55 5267
StMWK Website: https://www.stmwk.bayern.de/englisch.html