To foster collaboration and mutual benefits between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Queensland’s scientific research institutions, academic organizations, and enterprises R&D departments, the Q-CAS Collaborative Science Fund 2026 is now open for proposals.This initiative, developed in consultation with Queensland's Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), focuses on key priority areas.

Up to five collaborative research projects will receive joint support from the fund. The Australian side will provide up to AU$200,000 per project, including AU$125,000 from DETSI and AU$75,000 in matching funds from the Australian lead participant. CAS will provide up to 1.2 million yuan per project, including 750,000 yuan from its headquarters and 450,000 yuan in matching funds from the Chinese lead participant.

I. Project Requirements

1. The priority areas for collaboration include Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology and Food Research (including Food Safety), and Human Health and Medical Research.

2. Projects must fully reflect the principle of complementary advantages and mutual benefit between the collaborating sides.

3. The Chinese lead participant must be a legal entity under CAS (research institute or university), while the Australian partner must be a legal entity located in Queensland with independent R&D capabilities.

4. Each application institution may submit only one proposal.

5. The project implementation period shall be two years, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

6. The lead CAS-based participant must provide matching funds of no less than 450,000 yuan (in cash) for each project.

7. Researchers currently implementing projects under CAS’s International Partnership Program are not eligible to apply.

II. Application Procedure

1. The application ends on September 29, 2025.

2. CAS applicants must submit project proposals based on full communication and consensus with their Queensland partners.

3. CAS applicants must log into the latest ARP system, navigate to the International Cooperation section, and complete the required information. Under “Project Category,” select “Q-CAS Collaborative Science Fund”.

4. Attachments to be uploaded by the Chinese side include:

(1) English application form;

(2) Curriculum vitae of the project leader from both sides.

III. Project Review and Management

1. CAS and the Queensland government will respectively review applications and jointly determine funded projects based on evaluation results.

2. Funded projects will be notified separately by both sides.

3. Upon approval of the project plan, the ARP system will automatically generate an official project establishment notice.

IV. Contact Information

For project application inquiries:

Du Xiaomeng (Division of Americas and Oceania)

Tel: +86-10-68597506

For ARP system inquiries:

Zhang Zhan (International Communication Center)

Tel: +86-10-68597753

For more information, the Queensland call for proposals can be found at: https://science.desi.qld.gov.au/industry/funding/qcas.

Source: Bureau of International Cooperation,

Chinese Academy of Sciences