La Trobe University recently hosted a ‘Grants Workshop’, bringing together founders, startups, industry, SMEs, not-for-profits and researchers to explore the funding and grant landscape and the opportunities available to industry and higher education partnerships.
The workshop focused on upskilling participants with tools and processes for managing the intricacies of grant applications, in order to secure funding for their desired projects.
La Trobe University’s Associate Professor Dan Bendrups, Director, Research Education and Development, explains that “when it comes to asking funding, you need to use the language of the funds you are asking.”
“Different sorts of funds use language in different ways and have different expectations about the wording,”
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in technical sessions focused on the latest trends and requirements in grant writing, available funding avenues, and the value of strategic collaboration.
The interactive environment fostered valuable networking opportunities among peers and potential collaborators, strengthening the global research community.
Xenia Sango, CEO and Managing Director of VivaZome, highlighted the competitive nature of grants and the need for strategic planning well in advance of application deadlines.
“Grants are highly competitive. You really have to strategise and think about this. It's not something that you can put together in six weeks when grants are announced,” she explained, outlining the importance of having clear milestones and detailed budgets.
VivaZome has been successful with two Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants to date, each including La Trobe University.
Key topics included:
- Leveraging digital tools for effective writing
- How to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations
- Understanding the evolving criteria of major funding bodies.
Participants analysed case studies that provided practical insights into successful grant acquisition, facilitated by experts who shared tips for making proposals stand out.
The workshop also addressed emerging opportunities and the challenges faced in navigating the complex funding ecosystem.
Presenters underscored the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking in the quest for grants that can propel innovative research and projects forward.
“The startup economy in Australia is very strong, but startups are unclear about the role of universities and how to approach them.
“As startups, it doesn't matter what field you are in, universities can definitely help you to move forward,” said Deepa Balakrishnan, Director, Research Grant Development and Transformation.
To explore the different ways La Trobe can collaborate and partner with industry, connect with our Enterprise Development team.
