Next Generation AI and Emerging Technologies Graduates Grant Program (Australia)

The Next Generation Graduates Program (NGGP) is leading the charge in upskilling Australia’s workforce in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. With at least 480 generous scholarships available nation-wide, the NGGP is paving the way for the future tech specialists to revolutionise the industry.

The objectives of the NGGP are to:

• address talent shortfall in AI and emerging technologies, and grow the pipeline of homegrown, job-ready specialist talent
• foster career-ready experience and industry networks amongst eligible students and industry partners through collaborative research projects and placements
• develop the cross-cutting skills, capabilities and connections through professional development opportunities and training in complementary areas, such as ethics.

Round 2023-24 Structure and Regional Focus

• Structure
  • The Round will be structured with two streams:
    • Regional Stream (AI & Emerging Technologies)
    • General Stream (AI & Emerging Technologies)
• Regional focus
  • The NGGP aims to help students unlock their full potential and shape the future of AI and emerging technologies, with the understanding that diversity in thought and backgrounds is crucial for innovation. Of the 25 consortia programs successfully awarded through the first two rounds of the NGGP there has only been minimal regional university (as per Section 5) involvement.
  • They believe that students should have access to NGGP scholarships, no matter where they live. Therefore, in addition to the overarching program aims articulated above, this newly established Regional Stream seeks to:
    • support participation of regional universities and their students in the NGGP,
    • encourage collaboration between industry, other partner organisations and universities, including regional universities,
    • contribute to regional priorities.

Priority Areas

• General Stream
  • Critical Technologies are technologies that can have high impact on Australian’s national interests, including their: economic prosperity, national security, and social cohesion.
  • biotechnologies, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. NB: In addition to the List, there are examples of technologies and applications. These examples are not exhaustive.
  • Consortium programs can also align with National Reconstruction Fund priority funding areas.
  • Australia can build a more resilient, inclusive, fair, and healthy society by applying critical technologies to significant national challenges.
  • Applications must describe the impact of the proposed consortium program including, how the consortium program will address national challenges.
• Regional Stream
  • Building a better future for all Australians by enabling a productive, resilient, and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology, includes supporting the growth of innovative and competitive regions.
  • Through the Regional Stream, the NGGP is seeking to support participation of regional universities and their students; along with regional priorities.
  • Regional Stream applications will need to describe either how the consortium program will address national challenges or how the consortium program will address regional priorities.

Funding Information

• The NGGP will provide up to a total of $15.5 million in student stipends and allowances from 2024-2029 with up to a further $5.5 million expected to be committed by industry partners.
  • Regional Stream – is set to allocate up to $8 million NB: As part of the commitment to a regional focus, priority will be given to Regional Stream applications that successfully meet the criteria. If funds are not fully allocated, leftover funds may be redistributed to the General Stream.
  • General Stream – is set to allocate $7.5 million
• Maximum total Grant funding available per consortium program application, as calculated by the Budget template provided cannot exceed:
  • NGGP – Regional Stream/General Stream/Grant Contribution
    • Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Graduates: $1,250,000.004
    • Next Generation Emerging Technologies: Graduates $1,250,000.004
• Funding duration is from 2024 to 2029.

Eligibility Criteria

• General Stream
  • Bids to this process are made through the form of an eligible consortium – to be eligible, a consortium’s program application must include:
    • at least two Australian Degree-conferring organisations offering degrees at AQF Level 8-10 (i.e. Australian universities) as part of the consortium to allow for broader collaboration and the ability to bring in a more diverse pool of students
    • who must be external to the universities
    • at least one partner organisation external to the universities with dedicated resources to supervise student placements (can be the same as the financially contributing partner)
    • international partner organisations to be considered on case-by-case basis.
• Regional Stream
  • Bids to this process are made through the form of an eligible consortium – to be eligible, a consortium’s program application must include:
    • at least two Australian Degree-conferring organisations offering degrees at AQF Level 8-10 (i.e. Australian universities) as part of the consortium to allow for broader collaboration and the ability to bring in a more diverse pool of students. At least one Australian university in the consortium must be an eligible regional university
    • at least one Chief Investigator from an eligible regional university at least one financially contributing partner
    • who must be external to the universities
    • at least one partner organisation external to the universities with dedicated resources to supervise student placements (can be the same as the financially contributing partner)
    • international partner organisations to be considered on case-by-case basis.

For more information, visit CSIRO.