Industry Partnerships

Industry Partnerships

Partnering with Social Equity Research Centre

Collaborating with the Social Equity Research Centre (SERC) at RMIT University offers a unique opportunity to access cutting-edge expertise, research, and practical solutions to complex social challenges. Our Centre provides unparalleled connections to academic networks, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and resources — advantages that set us apart from traditional consultancy services.

We are deeply committed to co-design, embedding it at every stage of a project, from inception to the development of bespoke tools, resources, and outcomes tailored to your specific needs. Our partnership model also enables the potential for partners to be embedded within the Centre, co-located at RMIT, to foster truly collaborative and impactful projects.

RMIT University distinguishes itself through a strong focus on research that addresses ‘real-world’ challenges, underscoring our commitment to advancing equity and contributing to a more just society.

Work with us to create meaningful change.

Partnering for Social Impact

Collaborative research opportunities

We work with partners tackling complex challenges in their sectors, particularly those addressing social justice, health, and equity. These challenges require interdisciplinary solutions, drawing on diverse methods and perspectives. Our collaborative approach ensures solutions are practical and impactful, with partners contributing cash or in-kind support to drive meaningful outcomes.

Examples of Collaborative Projects:

  • Reducing domestic violence through community-based interventions.
  • Enhancing mental health services in rural and remote communities.
  • Improving Indigenous housing opportunities.
  • Supporting inclusive education for students with disabilities.
  • Strengthening workplace mental health programs.
  • Developing data-driven solutions for healthcare and urban planning.

Partnership Models:

  • Long-term Research: Examples include ARC Linkage Projects or NHMRC Partnership Projects.
  • Capacity Building: Strengthen in-house expertise through ARC Industry Fellow ships or embedded HDR internships.
  • Targeted Studies: Undertake discrete research activities such as policy briefs, government submissions, or small-scale evaluations.
  • Tailored Solutions for Your Needs: We also offer applied, bespoke research with specific deliverables, supported through consultancies or contracted research.

Let’s collaborate to create transformative solutions for the challenges you care about.

National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Projects

NHMRC Partnership Projects fund collaborations between researchers, policymakers, and partners to translate research into policy and practice, improving health and wellbeing by transforming health services.

  • Funding: Up to $1,500,000 for projects lasting up to 5 years.
  • Application: Rolling process.
  • Requirements: Must include at least one partner organisation (can be multiple).
  • Contributions: Partner funding can include cash and/or in-kind support.
  • RMIT's Role: Administering organisation.

This scheme supports impactful partnerships driving innovation in health services and policy.

Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects

The ARC Linkage Project scheme fosters collaboration between universities, government, business, industry, and end-users to drive knowledge exchange and tackle real-world challenges.

  • Funding: $50,000–$300,000 per year for 2–5 years.
  • Rounds: Offered twice annually.
  • Requirements: Projects must include at least one partner organisation (can be multiple).
  • Contributions: Partners must provide cash and in-kind contributions that match the funding requested, with cash making up at least 25%.
  • RMIT's Role: Administering organisation, with potential to offer a PhD scholarship for eligible projects.

This scheme supports impactful, co-designed research partnerships delivering broad benefits.

Australian Research Council (ARC) Industry Fellowships

ARC Industry Fellowships foster impactful collaborations between universities and industry, addressing key sector challenges through applied research. These fellowships promote two way mobility, skill-building, and research translation, enabling academic researchers to work in industry and industry professionals to collaborate within universities.

  • Fellowship Levels: Early-, mid-, and senior-career.
  • Funding: Covers most salary and project costs for 3–5 years.
  • Rounds: Offered once annually.
  • Requirements: Must include at least one partner organisation. Fellows work across both university and partner settings.
  • Contributions: Partner contributions vary. Cash contributions are optional for early-career Fellowships but required for mid- and senior-career levels.
  • RMIT's Role: Administering organisation.

Support an Industry Fellow to gain access to leading researchers and tackle major industry challenges.

RMIT Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Internships

RMIT HDR Internships deliver focused, small-scale solutions to pressing challenges faced by businesses, government, and community organisations. These internships foster industry engagement, build professional networks, and create pathways for collaboration and career opportunities.

  • Co-Design: Internships are co-developed and jointly supervised by RMIT and partner organisations.
  • Partner Contribution: A minimum of $13,000, provided as a student stipend.
  • Duration: At least 60 working days over two years, integrated into the PhD or Master by Research program.
  • RMIT's Role: Administering organisation.

Partner with RMIT to access research talent and address your organisation’s specific challenges.

RMIT Embedded Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Programs

RMIT Embedded HDR Programs connect industry, business, government, and community with PhD or Master by Research students to tackle complex social challenges through tailored, co-designed research.

  • Flexible Locations: Students may work at RMIT, the partner organisation, or both.
  • Collaborative Supervision: Includes RMIT staff and may involve a partner organisation representative.
  • Funding: Partners provide a full scholarship stipend (~$38,000 per annum) or time release for employed candidates. RMIT covers tuition fees.
  • Duration: 2–4 years.

Partner with RMIT to drive innovation and solve pressing issues through collaborative, impactful research.

Consultancies or Contracted Research

The Centre’s four research themes drive consultancies and contracted research projects aimed at advancing social justice and equity. Our interdisciplinary expertise spans co-design, frameworks, methods, policy, governance, analysis, and evaluation, with a strong focus on partnered research.

These projects are non-competitive and fully tailored to your organisation’s needs, with flexible scope and timelines to suit your resources .

Contact us at serc@rmit.edu.au to discuss your research ideas and explore how we can work together.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information