Applications now open: 2024 Research Funding Programs
The National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) is pleased to announce the launch of three separate research funding programs aimed at giving students from under-represented backgrounds greater access and success in higher education.
Across the Centre’s returning Equity Fellowship Program, inaugural First Nations Fellowship Program and a new Small Grants Research Program, NCSEHE is committing up to $1.77 million to enable ground-breaking, robust, high-quality, and internationally competitive research that will build the peer-reviewed evidence base and contribute to evidence-based policy development and practice.
NCSEHE Research Director Professor Ian Li said the programs would provide support for the best minds in Australia’s higher education sector to undertake projects addressing complex issues of top priority in equity policy research and practice.
“Important issues include how we can make further progress in getting individuals from under-represented backgrounds into university study, and to allow them to flourish and succeed in their studies and beyond,” Professor Li said.
“These research programs will also strengthen the capacity of the sector to tackle emerging student equity challenges in the future.”
NCSEHE Executive Director Professor Shamit Saggar said that while good progress had already been achieved as a result of research completed and funded by the NCSEHE previously, the additional funding committed to its equity research programs should accelerate learning and change.
“There is more to be done in terms of addressing systemic disadvantage in higher education. The projects NCSEHE will fund are aimed at shifting universities’ priorities and practices on the ground, ultimately benefiting students,” Professor Saggar said.
“Higher education is set to undergo substantial change in Australia and it is the goal of the National Centre through these funding programs to support the sector to become much more inclusive of talent, regardless of background.”
More information about the Equity Fellowship Program, the First Nations Fellowship Program and the Small Grants Research Program is available here on the NCSEHE website.