Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships 2027 in Australia: Up to AUD $180,000 for Social and Environmental Innovation Leaders

Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships 2027 | AUD $180,000 Fellowship Australia. Apply for the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships 2027 in Australia. Successful Fellows receive up to AUD $180,000 over 12 months to scale innovative projects tackling social and environmental challenges. Apply by 16 August 2026.

The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation have opened expressions of interest for the 2027 Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships, offering up to AUD $180,000 to outstanding innovators developing breakthrough solutions to Australia’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.

The Fellowship provides selected individuals with the financial support, dedicated time, mentorship, and professional network needed to accelerate high-impact initiatives that have the potential to create lasting positive change across Australia.

Designed for experienced changemakers with innovative and scalable projects, the Fellowship enables recipients to step away from their regular roles for 12 months and focus entirely on advancing their initiatives.

About the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships

The Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships support individuals who are already leading promising projects with the potential to deliver significant social or environmental impact.

Rather than funding new ideas, the Fellowship helps experienced innovators further develop existing initiatives that align with one or more of the Foundation’s priority themes:

Inclusion and Equality
Sustainability and Environment (including Climate Change)
Human, Civil and Legal Rights

The programme combines financial support with mentoring, expert guidance, and access to an extensive network of previous Fellows and sector leaders.

Fellowship Benefits

Each successful Fellow may receive funding of up to AUD $180,000 over 12 months, including:

AUD $140,000 stipend to support the Fellow during the Fellowship year.
Up to AUD $40,000 for approved project-related expenses on a reimbursement basis.

Eligible project expenses may include:

Travel
Specialist consulting services
Dedicated workspace rental
Other approved costs directly related to the Fellowship project

In addition to funding, Fellows receive:

Quarterly support from an expert advisory panel.
Individual mentoring throughout the Fellowship.
Access to a network of current and past Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellows.
Professional guidance to help strengthen and scale their initiatives.

Who Should Apply?

The Fellowship seeks applicants with projects that are:

High impact.
Innovative or applying existing ideas in new ways.
Scalable.
Sustainable over the long term.

Applicants should demonstrate that they are:

Experienced and entrepreneurial.
Passionate about their chosen issue.
Well connected within their sector.
Curious, collaborative, and open to learning.
Committed to fully participating in the Fellowship programme.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Reside in Australia for most of the Fellowship period.
Be prepared to take a 12-month sabbatical from their current role.
Have a proven track record of achievement.
Demonstrate entrepreneurial and innovative thinking.
Show the ability to transform ideas into practical action.
Have strong professional networks relevant to their project.

Project Eligibility

Projects must:

Be based in Australia.
Align with at least one Fellowship theme.
Have been under development for no longer than three years.

Funding Exclusions

The Fellowship does not support:

Projects in development for more than three years.
Academic research or higher degree study.
Medical research.
Disease-specific initiatives.
International projects.
Scholarships.
Sponsorships.
Creative arts projects.
Organisational applications.
Funding hubs or accelerators.
Curriculum-based education projects.
Standard programme or service delivery initiatives.
Capital campaigns or fundraising events.

Fellowship Expectations

The Fellowship is intentionally flexible and is designed to give recipients the freedom to advance their projects without rigid performance targets.

However, Fellows are expected to:

Dedicate the Fellowship period to their initiative.
Participate in mentoring and programme activities.
Deliver a mid-term presentation.
Present final outcomes at the conclusion of the Fellowship.

Application Timeline

Expressions of Interest Open: 13 July 2026

Expressions of Interest Close: 16 August 2026 (11:59 pm AEST)

Shortlisted Applicants Invited: Week beginning 19 October 2026

Detailed Applications Due: 10 January 2027

Interviews: February 2027

2027 Fellows Announced: March 2027

Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Why Apply?

The Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships provide one of Australia’s most significant opportunities for individual social innovators.

By offering substantial financial support, mentoring, and dedicated time away from regular employment, the Fellowship enables recipients to focus on scaling innovative solutions that address complex societal and environmental challenges.

If you have an existing initiative with demonstrated traction and the potential for broad impact across Australia, this Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to accelerate your work.

Application Deadline

16 August 2026 (11:59 pm AEST)

Interested applicants should carefully review all eligibility requirements before submitting their Expression of Interest.

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