Be part of the UTS Research Translation Competition

The Research Translation Competition provides cash prizes for research teams with a new idea that can be translated into impact.

The annual competition provides a pathway for novel research to be translated into impact. Selected teams have a chance to participate in workshops covering IP basics (June 18), value propositions and business models (June 25), and pitch preparation (July 2). They will then present their translation plans at a final pitch event on 21 July 2026 where an expert judging panel will select the winning teams for prizes of $75,000 and $25,000.

Why should you apply?

By applying for the Research Translation Competition, your team will potentially receive funding for your research project. Skills developed through the process will also help you with research translation throughout your career as previous applicant Dr. Xuan Li explained.

“I received invaluable support and guidance throughout the competition. The experience and knowledge gained during the process will undoubtedly contribute to my personal and professional growth.” 

Another previous applicant, Dr. Kun Yu, praised the competition as an incredible learning experience for his team, despite it being unsuccessful. 

“We have gained valuable insights into the key aspects of commercialisation. We sincerely appreciate all the help, comments and advice we received from the tutors as they have expanded our knowledge base significantly,” he said.

I received invaluable support and guidance throughout the competition. The experience and knowledge gained during the process will undoubtedly contribute to my personal and professional growth.

Reflections from last year’s winners

In 2025, first prize was awarded to Prof Rachel Landers, A/Prof Louise Cole, Dr Amy Bottomley, Kristi Street, Matthew Dabner and Matthew Gidney for their pitch on ‘The Wonderful, Fluorescent, Massive World of Tiny Invisible Things: Creating Transformative Science Stories for Children’. 

The cross-faculty team brought together award-winning animators, filmmakers and scientists as they pitched their story-led approach to teaching science through a series of educational animations.  

Louise reflected, “The Wonder team consists of a mix of animators, filmmakers, storytellers, educators and scientists from diverse backgrounds, so it is important that we understand the same 'language' and our different ways of working.”

“The 2025 Research Translation Competition allowed the Wonder project team to really come together as a group to focus on a big problem and how to come to a solution.”

“We were able to identify who the key clients are, what value-add we offer and the real-world impact of our research. We were also able to sharpen our value proposition and business model, and this helped us to deliver an engaging and winning elevator pitch.”

The team went on to win a 2025 Australian Research Council grant worth $1,672,701 over three years.

We were able to identify who the key clients are, what value-add we offer and the real-world impact of our research. We were also able to sharpen our value proposition and business model, and this helped us to deliver an engaging and winning elevator pitch.

Second prize was awarded to Prof Hokyong Shon and Dr Sherub Phuntsho from the Australian Research Council Research Hub for Nutrients in a Circular Economy (ARC NiCE Hub) for their pitch ‘Transforming human waste into value-added fertiliser bio stimulant StimGro’. 

Hokyong shared, “Since the competition, we have secured funding from Sydney Water and have also established a start-up company called NiCE Green Tech. This has been an important step in advancing our project towards translation and broader impact.”

The team also participated in the Sydney Water Supply Chain Recruitment Expo, a valuable opportunity to further showcase the project and engage with relevant stakeholders.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Prof Kate McGrath said the two projects selected as winners in 2025 have things in common. 

“They are trying to solve long term problems for us, and those problems are both local, national and global in context,” Kate said. 

Learn more about the 2025 Research Translation Competition winners.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the UTS Research Translation Competition, teams must meet the following criteria:

1. The team leader is a current member of staff at UTS.
2. Team size is two to six people.
3. The team must disclose or must have disclosed the relevant intellectual property to the UTS Research Translation Team using the UTS IP Disclosure Form in Research Master.
4. Projects presented at previous Research Translation Competitions are not eligible.
5. The proposal must be focused on translating research outcomes (not further research) to achieve impact.
6. UTS must own the relevant intellectual property.
7. UTS must not be restricted in managing the relevant intellectual property and/or research outcomes.
8. Team members must participate in all four training sessions and the final event.

Priority will be given to projects that have a well-considered and clearly articulated use of the funds. The project budget and use of the funds will form part of the selection criteria.

Apply now

Interested in applying? Applications for the UTS Research Translation Competition will close on 20 May 2026.

• Enter now via the application form.
• For more information, contact Jude Amalraj by email.