The Australia-Korea Foundation is pleased to announce the following recipients for the 2026-27 Grant Round.
Australian Catholic University
Combating AI-Enabled Scams through Bilateral Research, Workshops and Citizen Participation
Grant amount: $50,000
Category: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Project description: The Australian Catholic University, in partnership with Kyung Hee University and La Trobe University, will establish a bilateral Australia–Korea Cyber Sentinel to strengthen shared understanding and practical responses to AI-enabled scams. Activities will include mapping emerging scam tactics, comparing impacts across both countries and co-designing practical countermeasures, including public guidance, institutional playbooks, bilingual resources and a privacy-preserving incident database.
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CSIRO
Australia-Korea Next-Generation Low-Frequency Radio Telescope Collaboration
Grant amount: $86,500
Category: Engineering
Project description: CSIRO, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) will work together to build and test a new type of radio telescope that can observe the universe at very low frequencies. It will support software development, equipment integration, testing, training, workshops and exchange visits, while building specialist capability and strengthening long-term cooperation in advanced scientific infrastructure and emerging technologies.
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Ear Science Institute Australia Incorporated
Australia-Korea Partnership for Next-Generation Hearing Device Innovation
Grant amount: $60,000
Category: Engineering
Project description: Bringing together Australian hearing health researchers from Ear Science Institute Australia, researchers from Monash University and Korean sensor engineers from Yeungnam University, this project will explore new approaches to hearing device technology. Through reciprocal visits, workshops and public engagement, it will define clinical design requirements, assess the feasibility of new sensors for hearing aids, and scope system and power requirements.
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Korea National Defense University
Australia-Korea Strategic Cooperation on AU-Generated Maritime Security Systems
Grant amount: $63,970
Category: International relations / Strategic / Security
Project description: The Korea National Defense University and RAND Australia will bring together defence experts, academics and emerging leaders to examine the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into maritime security frameworks and strengthen Australia–Korea strategic cooperation. Through a high-level workshop in Seoul and a follow-up policy seminar in Canberra, it will develop policy recommendations, a bilingual report and digital briefs on AI governance and maritime domain awareness.
Monash University
Australia-Korea Bioinnovation Workforce and Research Alliance
Grant amount: $50,000
Category: Biotech
Project description: This project will establish the Australia–Korea Bioinnovation Workforce and Research Alliance, bringing together Monash University, Yonsei University Korean National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (K-NIBRT), K-Bio Lab Hub and Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). Through forums, researcher exchanges, workforce training, industry engagement and an AI-enabled virtual training platform, the alliance aims to strengthen cooperation in biotechnology, advanced biomanufacturing, therapeutics and AI-enabled workforce training.
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Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Collaborative Risk Management Training for Resilient Australia-Korea Energy Supply Chains
Grant amount: $50,000
Category: Business / Commerce / Management / Trade / Economics
Project description: RMIT University and Incheon National University will collaborate to develop a training toolkit to help industry, business and researchers manage risks in resilient supply chains, including oil, gas and solar. Activities will include co-designed modules, case studies, bilateral visits, industry workshops and an online launch, strengthening Australia–Korea collaboration on supply chain resilience.
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Southern Cross University
Australia-Korea Subtropical Innovation Strategy: Roadmap for climate-resilient agriculture
Grant amount: $50,000
Category: Agriculture / Farming / Food security
Project description: Southern Cross University and Jeju National University will establish a bilateral research network to strengthen collaboration and support development of macadamia and coffee systems suited to South Korea's changing climate. Through workshops, reciprocal site visits and knowledge exchange, it will build research capacity and support long-term innovation in climate-resilient agriculture.
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Sydney Opera House Trust
'The Longest Nights' Korean/Australian Pansori final development and bilateral premieres
Grant amount: $70,000
Category: Arts – Performance
Project description: To support the final stage of creative development and premieres of "The Longest Nights", a Korean-Australian bilingual Pansori (traditional Korean music storytelling) production. Ipkoason's artists will rehearse with Australian creatives in Sydney before the work premieres at the Sydney Opera House's International Children's Festival, followed by a Korean premiere in 2027, strengthening creative collaboration between both countries.
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The Walkley Foundation
The Australia-Korea Media Exchange
Grant amount: $62,300
Category: Media and Communication
Project description:The Walkley Foundation, in partnership with the Korea Press Foundation, will deliver an exchange program between Australian and Korean journalists to develop partnerships in areas of shared interest in a bilateral, regional and global context. Through meetings with government, media and industry bodies, the project will facilitate an exchange of expertise, foster professional networks and support reporting that promotes greater public awareness of the Australia-Korea relationship.
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Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise
The Toowoomba-Paju Strategic Bridge: Driving Export Growth for Southern Queensland
Grant amount: $50,320
Category: Agriculture / Farming / Food security
Project description: Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), in partnership with Toowoomba Regional Council and Paju City Council, will build on Toowoomba's sister-city relationship with Paju to create new economic links and tangible economic outcomes between Toowoomba and Paju. It will support a senior TSBE delegation to the Paju Expo and a trade visit of Paju's businesses to Southern Queensland, helping identify export opportunities in agribusiness and technology and promote long-term two-way investment and regional partnerships.
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University of New South Wales
Australia-Korea Collaboration for AI Productivity and Safety
Grant amount: $74,100
Category: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Project description: Led by UNSW Sydney and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the project will strengthen Australia-Korea collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), trusted AI and AI safety governance by connecting researchers, industry partners, policymakers and startups. Through exchanges, workshops, roundtables and a showcase at NeurIPS 2026 in Sydney, the project will support the development of practical AI applications, contribute to AI governance discussions and promote commercialisation pathways across both countries.