New Futures Mobility Fund 2026: A Guide for Applicants in Australia
The New Futures Mobility Fund is a significant national initiative in Australia aimed at supporting humanitarian visa holders engaged in research. This program, delivered by the Australian Academy of Science, provides competitive mobility grants to help eligible individuals attend recognized scientific conferences, symposia, workshops, and other STEM-focused professional events within Australia. By removing financial barriers, the fund seeks to strengthen research capabilities, expand professional networks, and enhance career development for emerging and established researchers.
The initiative is made possible through the generous support of Jaishree Srinivasan and Academy Fellow Emeritus Professor Srini Srinivasan AM FAA FRS. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the fund, including key dates, eligibility criteria, and eligible activities for the 2026 application cycle.
Overview of the New Futures Mobility Fund
The New Futures Mobility Fund offers competitive mobility grants to individuals living in Australia who hold an eligible humanitarian visa subclass and are involved in research training or activity. The primary goal is to enable these researchers to participate in structured scientific or professional development events across Australia. This support is designed to foster growth within Australia’s scientific community by increasing research visibility, building professional connections, and advancing career trajectories.
The program aims to achieve several key objectives:
- Strengthen research capability among recipients.
- Expand professional networks within Australia’s STEM sector.
- Enhance career development opportunities.
- Increase the visibility of researchers within the Australian scientific community.
- Remove financial obstacles that might prevent participation in scientific events.
Key Dates for the 2026 Application Cycle
Prospective applicants should carefully note the following important dates for the 2026 application period:
- Applications Open: May 18, 2026
- Applications Close (Deadline): July 09, 2026
- Notification of Outcome: September 2026
- Funding Agreements Issued and Activities May Commence: October 2026
Adhering to these deadlines is crucial for a successful application.
Program Highlights and Benefits
The New Futures Mobility Fund provides several valuable benefits to its recipients, focusing on professional growth and accessibility:
- Funding Support: Grants are available to cover costs associated with attending recognized scientific conferences, symposia, and workshops within Australia. This financial assistance directly addresses the cost barriers that can prevent participation.
- Career Development: The program facilitates professional growth through networking opportunities with peers and established researchers, as well as increasing the applicant’s visibility within the broader STEM community.
- Flexibility and Accessibility: Funding is designed to be flexible, aiming to make participation in scientific events more accessible to a wider range of researchers, particularly those facing financial challenges.
- Research Advancement: Support extends to research training, ongoing research activities, and general professional development, all contributing to the advancement of the applicant’s scientific work.
- Community Engagement: Recipients gain opportunities to engage directly with Australia’s vibrant scientific community, fostering collaboration and expanding their research networks.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the New Futures Mobility Fund, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their residency, visa status, research engagement, and the nature of the event they wish to attend.
Applicant Eligibility
All applicants must satisfy the following conditions at the time of submitting their application:
- Reside in Australia.
- Hold an eligible humanitarian visa subclass.
- Be actively engaged in research training or research activity within Australia.
- Seek funding to attend a recognized STEM scientific conference, symposium, workshop, or a similar professional event held in Australia.
Eligible Humanitarian Visa Subclasses
The following visa subclasses are considered eligible for this program:
- Refugee (subclass 200)
- In-country Special Humanitarian (subclass 201)
- Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202)
- Emergency Rescue (subclass 203)
- Woman at Risk (subclass 204)
- Protection visa (subclass 866)
It is important to note that subclasses 866 and 202 were newly added as eligible visa types as of May 29, 2026.
Eligible Applicant Profiles
The fund is open to several categories of researchers:
- Masters students.
- PhD candidates.
- Early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) who have been awarded a Masters or PhD up to 15 years prior to the application deadline. Extensions to this timeframe may be considered for individuals who have experienced significant career interruptions.
Eligible Activities
All proposed activities must take place within Australia. Applicants must clearly articulate how their participation in the chosen event will contribute to strengthening their research capabilities, expanding their professional networks, and advancing their career development.
Types of Eligible Activities
The fund supports a variety of professional development and scientific engagement opportunities, including:
- Attendance at recognized scientific conferences, symposia, and workshops.
- Participation in specialist training courses or masterclasses that are directly linked to scientific events.
- Engagement in professional development opportunities that support research training or activity.
- Involvement in research translation or industry engagement forums with a clear STEM focus.
- Other professional opportunities that receive approval from the Australian Academy of Science.
The Academy reserves the right to request further information if the scientific relevance of a proposed event is not immediately clear.
Fields of Research
Applications are welcomed from individuals working across the full spectrum of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This broad scope ensures that researchers from diverse scientific disciplines can benefit from the fund.
Eligible Australian Research Organisations (EROs)
Applicants must be affiliated with or employed by an eligible Australian Research Organisation (ERO). These organizations play a key role in supporting the research ecosystem in Australia.
Examples of eligible EROs include:
- Australian tertiary education institutions (universities and higher education providers).
- Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs).
- Publicly funded research agencies.
- State or territory-funded research organizations.
- Public or private Australian research companies.
- Australian not-for-profit research organizations.
- Other incorporated Australian entities that meet the specified criteria.
Important Notes for EROs:
- EROs must be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Universities must be income tax exempt.
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entities are not eligible to act as EROs for this program.
Additional Program Information
Terms of Award
Successful applicants will receive detailed information regarding the terms of the award. This includes funding conditions, a list of allowable expenses, and requirements for grant management throughout the funded activity.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the Australian Academy of Science’s online portal. Applicants are required to provide all necessary documentation as specified in the application guidelines.
Assessment Process
Applications will be evaluated based on several key criteria: eligibility, the merit of the research or proposed activity, the relevance of the chosen event to the applicant’s career, and the potential impact of the funded activity on the applicant’s research trajectory.
Reporting Requirements
Recipients of the New Futures Mobility Fund are obligated to submit a final report. This report should detail the outcomes achieved through the funded activity and the benefits gained by the applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New Futures Mobility Fund?
It’s a program in Australia that gives grants to humanitarian visa holders doing research, helping them attend scientific events across the country.
Who is eligible to apply for the fund?
You must live in Australia, have an eligible humanitarian visa, be involved in research, and want to attend a STEM event in Australia.
What kind of events can the fund pay for?
The fund covers attendance at recognized scientific conferences, workshops, and symposia within Australia that are related to STEM fields.
When is the deadline to apply for the 2026 cycle?
Applications for the 2026 cycle close on July 9, 2026.
