Paging all our ambitious UTS students! Have you ever noticed a system, a process or an experience that could be improved at UTS and thought “I could fix this, if only I had support and money”? This is your chance: apply now for a Students as Partners Project grant and make a lasting impact on improving the UTS learning experience while you gain valuable skills, make connections with staff and get paid for your time.
About the program
Students as Partners Project grants offer $5,000 (for individuals) and $10,000 (for groups of 2-3). They are available for UTS students who actively improve the university experience for themselves and their peers by proposing, leading and implementing a project alongside a UTS staff partner. The program aligns with UTS 2030 strategic priorities and is mapped to the Student Experience Framework domains.
How to apply
Students applying for a Students as Partners Grant need to:
- Read the program information pack for further details
- Find and confirm a staff partner to mentor and oversee their project
- Download and complete the application form. (see an example application form)
- Email your application form to sapprojects [at] uts.edu.au (sapprojects[at]uts[dot]edu[dot]au) by 9am Monday, 10 April 2026.
Project proposals will be assessed on their:
- Potential impact on improving the student experience
- Feasibility of project to meet deliverables within grant timeline and resources
- Partnership process within the project delivery
- Sustainability of project deliverables beyond the grant period
- Value and contribution to UTS and the project team
If you are a UTS staff member interested in partnering in a project for 2026, please fill in our EOI form by Friday 13 March, to join our staff list for students to engage with.
What we're looking for
We’re looking for projects that aim to create positive change in the following areas at UTS (this may be subject to change):
- Assessment practice: How your knowledge and understanding of class content is tested e.g. sit-down exams, practical exams, take home essays.
- Teaching practice: How lecturers and tutors teach you e.g. lectures, seminars, flipped learning.
- Policy and process review: How rules and systems at UTS are applied to students e.g. enrolment, special consideration, timetabling.
- Academic support: Academic help offered to students outside of the classroom e.g. writing skills workshops, referencing guides, digital skills, peer learning groups.
- Inclusivity in learner engagement: How diverse learner needs are supported in the classroom e.g. neurodiverse students, students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Eligibility requirements
To be considered for a grant you must:
- Be a current UTS student who is enrolled at UTS for the project period (June to December 2026)
- Have maintained continuous study for at least one full teaching session prior to applications opening
- Be a part-time or full time domestic or international student
- If selected, attend an initial online onboarding session (June 2), and an in-person project kick-off workshop (June 10) so you can hit the ground running with the support you need
- Be aware that if selected, you will be employed and paid as a UTS Casual HEW 1.1 and are required to provide all necessary ‘right to work’ documents as well as a declaration under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence and a current Working With Children's Check as detailed here
- The grant is not open to UTS College or Online Postgraduate Degree students
Projects under the program need to:
- Be student led, by any student who is enrolled at UTS for the project period
- Align to an area of focus outlined above
- Be new work and not funded from any other source
- Not contribute to assessment or credit within a subject or course
- Include a partnership with an approved UTS staff member (take a look at the list of interested staff that you might like to partner with)
- Staff partners will be continually updated until the 13 March when staff EOIs close
- No subcontracting/outsourcing your project output creations from external members outside of your project team. Outputs must be created and supported by student team members.
Key dates
- Applications open Monday, 2 March 2026
- Information and Q&A session for applicants between the 10 March – 1 April
- Applications close 9am Friday, 10 April 2026
- Successful applicants notified Wednesday, 13 May 2026
- Online Staff partner onboarding session Monday, 1 June 2026
- Online Staff partner onboarding session Tuesday, 2 June 2026
- Kick-off workshop with all project teams Wednesday, 10 June 2026
- Students as Partners project outcome Showcase Event Wednesday, 25 November 2026
More info
Get in touch with the team at sapprojects [at] uts.edu.au (sapprojects[at]uts[dot]edu[dot]au) or see our frequently asked questions for more information on the Students as Partners Project Grants.