Aim 
To catalyse basic science/foundational research in neuroscience by providing targeted seed funding to Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) research teams. This scheme supports early-stage, high-potential scientific inquiry, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, builds research capacity, and positions teams for future large-scale competitive funding. 

Scheme Overview 

• Total Awards: Two
• Award Value: $75,000 AUD each  
• Duration: 10 months 
• BMC Focus Areas (Pillars): 
  • Neurodegeneration & Ageing  
  • Youth Mental Health & Technology 
  • Child Neurodevelopment 

Objectives  

• Enable team-based foundational science within BMC 
• Support early-stage investigative or mechanistic research.  
• Generate preliminary data for future competitive funding (e.g., NHMRC, MRFF). 
• Encourage novel methodologies, including digital tools and data science.  
• Build basic science/foundational capacity to enable cross-disciplinary collaboration  
• Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in research teams. 

Key Dates

Funding Criteria 

Awards will be available to support foundational research for the period until 30th November 2026. From 2025, due to the University’s financial position, all funds awarded by internal support schemes must be expended by the award end-date. Project extension will not be possible beyond this date and the stipulated duration of the project. 

Awardees will access scheme funds on an auto-reimbursement model, meaning the full amount of the funds will not be transferred to the project PC upfront (excluding schemes such as student scholarships where a journal entry is required).  

Each month, funds matching the actual expenditure from the previous month will be transferred directly into the applicant’s account by auto-reimbursement. Hence, it is essential applicants provide a detailed budget outline in the application. Monthly funds expenditure will be tracked against this budget. The transfer of funds will cease when the awarded amount is reached or the 30th November of the year awarded, whichever comes first.  

Please contact the BMC Administrative Services Unit at brainandmind.info@sydney.edu.au if the application includes salary support in any capacity before proceeding with an application. 

A proportion of funds is eligible to support direct project-related travel as indicated in a single line budget item. 

Eligibility Criteria  

• Applications must be submitted by BMC-endorsed research team(s) and/or strategically aligned research clinics or groups supporting the achievement of research objectives of the endorsed teams (see Appendix 1 for full list of BMC endorsed teams) 
• Lead applicant must be a leader of BMC- endorsed research team or aligned group. 
• Teams must include early- to mid-career researchers (EMCRs).  
• Projects must align with one of the three BMC Focus Areas (Pillars): 
  • Neurodegeneration & Ageing  
  • Youth Mental Health & Technology 
  • Child Neurodevelopment 
• The funding must support the basic science/foundational research in neuroscience at the BMC. 

Application requirements  

1. Project Summary (max. 500 words)  
2. Project objectives, outcomes and impact, as well as identified future funding opportunities. (max. 300 words) 
3. Methodology or project plan, and project timeline including timeline for expenditure. (max. 300 words + Timeline table) 
4. Project Team Composition and Roles 
5. Budget Justification and Milestones   

Application and Evaluation process   

Only one application per applicant per round will be accepted.   

Completed applications to be submitted to the Brain and Mind Centre Administrative Services Unit via SharePoint portal using Survey Monkey Apply platform.   

The awards will be assessed by the Brain and Mind Centre Executive according to the following criteria below, who will make a recommendation to the Brain and Mind Centre Executive Leadership Committee for endorsement: 

• Scientific Merit & Innovation  
• Feasibility & Methodological rigour  
• Alignment with Pillar Focus  
• Potential for Future Funding  
• Team Capability & Collaboration. 

Reporting Process  

Successful applicants will be required to submit the below report to brainandmind.info@sydney.edu.au by deadline indicated:  

1. Report for completion to be submitted by 31st  January 2027 (a template will be provided).  
2. A scheme evaluation will be completed 1 year post project end date.  

 Support with the Application  

For queries or support during the application process, contact: 
BMC Administrative Services Unit Brainandmind.info@sydney.edu.au 

APPENDIX  

Appendix 1 - Brain and Mind Centre Endorsed Teams 2025  

• Child Neurodevelopment and Mental Health team  
• Computational Neuroimaging team  
• Mental Wealth Initiative  
• Technology Addiction team  
• Youth Mental Health and Technology team  
• Neuroimmunology team  
• Translational Psychopharmacology team  
• Neurotherapeutic Innovation team  
• Social Functioning Modelling team  
• Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases team   

 Appendix 2 - Brain and Mind Centre research clinics aligned to the endorsed teams 2025  

• Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic  
• Frontier FTD Research Clinic  
• Gambling Treatment Research Clinic/GambleAware  
• Sydney Neuropsychology Clinic   
• Psychology Clinic (CPU)  
• CAN Research  
• MS Clinical Trials Unit  
• ForeFront MND and FTD Research   
• ForeFront Parkinson’s Disease Research Clinic  
• headspace Camperdown  
• Youth Mental Health and Technology Research  

 Appendix 3 - Brain and Mind Centre strategic goals