Sydney Nano’s reimagined Catalyst program aims to support non-STEM researchers to make an impact in their own research area and to contribute to Sydney Nano’s multidisciplinary research in critical and emerging technologies (C&ET). 

The program will create a direct pathway for non-STEM researchers to contribute essential knowledge and expertise to tackle real-world challenges spanning critical and emerging technologies, and to facilitate non-STEM researchers in engaging with the significant external opportunities currently available in C&ET.  It also offers the opportunity to build stronger multidisciplinary connections between researchers from varied disciplines, potentially non-STEM and STEM researchers.

We are seeking expressions of interest from researchers in non-STEM disciplines, including (but not limited to) FASS, Business, Law, ADP and The Con, who are interested in leading a research project that brings new and innovative perspectives via a multi-faceted lens, to shape solutions and drive impact.

Support to better understand how your research objective overlaps with critical and emerging technologies, the external opportunities and government priorities in C&ET, as well as introductions/connections to relevant STEM researchers in this space will be provided by Faculty Associate Deans (Research) and the Sydney Nano Director. Please contact us at sydneynano.director@sydney.edu.au to explore potential collaboration opportunities. 

Catalyst projects can access between $5,000-$20,000 of total funding with a project duration up to December 2026.

Applications for the 2025 round are now open and close at 11.59pm on Monday 5 May 2025.

For more information register for the Online Information Session at 1.00pm Monday 28 April.

Read the full Terms and Conditions here. (pdf 198kb)