Two NSW decarbonisation grants target researchers and energy data tools
Two targeted funding streams from the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub are now open, supporting applied research and energy system tools that connect universities, industry and communities.
The NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub has opened two funding opportunities aimed at accelerating applied decarbonisation work across research and energy systems, with separate streams targeting 1) consumer energy resource (CER) tools and data projects and 2) PhD researchers.
The Decarb Hub, a state-funded initiative delivered with universities, government agencies and industry partners, focuses on supporting projects that move from research into practical application across sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture and industry.
Applications for both streams opened in March 2026 and close in April, with each program structured to support different stages of the innovation pipeline.
CER tools and data fund focuses on reuse, not new builds
An arm of the Decarb Hub, the Electrification and Energy Systems Network, is targeting projects that improve the usability and accessibility of existing consumer energy resource tools and datasets.
With up to $20,000 available per proposal, the Open CER Tools & Data Enablement Fund is focused on increasing reuse of open-source software and research data rather than developing new platforms.
Eligible activities include improving interoperability, documentation, user experience and system architecture, as well as preparing datasets for broader sharing across the network and research community.
Consumer energy resources in scope include rooftop solar, battery storage, EV charging and home energy management systems, with projects expected to support adoption and reduce barriers to use.
Applications require collaboration with at least one partner organisation and must include supporting documentation such as letters of support from participating institutions.
Submissions close at 5:00pm AEST on 24 April 2026.
PhD Top-Up program targets applied research in land and industry sectors
A second funding stream through The Land and Primary Industries Network will fund 20 PhD candidates through a one-off $10,000 top-up payment, supporting research aligned with decarbonisation across sectors including agriculture, energy, transport and climate policy.
The funding is designed to extend existing research rather than initiate new projects, with eligible uses including additional research activity or capacity building tied to industry engagement or public dissemination.
Applicants must be enrolled at a partner institution within the Hub’s network and demonstrate that their work contributes to emissions reduction or related decarbonisation outcomes in land and primary industries.
The program is administered by Western Sydney University on behalf of the network, with applications closing at 5:00pm AEST on 13 April 2026.
Focus on collaboration and translation into practice
Both funding streams sit within the Hub’s broader objective of connecting research with industry and government to support emissions reduction targets in NSW, including net zero by 2050.
Projects are assessed on criteria including collaboration, impact on decarbonisation, and pathways to adoption, with an emphasis on work that can move beyond research into practical use cases.
The structure of the CER fund in particular prioritises projects that remove barriers to uptake of existing tools or data, rather than early-stage concept development, reflecting a focus on implementation and scalability.
What this means for NSW industry and research partners
For NSW-based businesses, research organisations and industry groups, both programs create defined entry points to engage with funded decarbonisation work, either through direct application or as collaborators providing letters of support and in-kind contributions.
With collaboration a core eligibility requirement in the CER stream and a preferred attribute in the PhD program, partnerships between universities and industry remain central to accessing funding and shaping project outcomes.
As both rounds move toward April deadlines, organisations looking to participate will need to confirm partnerships, define project scope and align proposals with existing tools, datasets or applied research already underway in NSW.
