The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) are inviting applications for a new bursary that will provide up to A$25,000 (US$16,300) to support early to mid-career life sciences researchers in Queensland.
Developed through the BCEC Convention Advocates Partnership as part of BCEC’s 30th anniversary initiatives and LSQ’s 15th anniversary, the BCEC LSQ Bio-Innovation Bursary aims to strengthen links between research and industry. It is open to researchers working across fields including medical, agricultural and biofuels innovation.
The funding can be used for activities that support industry collaboration and research translation, including collaborative projects, industry placements, commercialisation initiatives, specialised resources and targeted engagement opportunities.
Eligible applicants are researchers in Queensland’s life sciences sector who are typically between two and 12 years post-PhD, with a strong track record relative to opportunity and the potential to translate research into industry outcomes.
Applications will be assessed on the proposed activity’s contribution to industry engagement and research translation, as well as the applicant’s achievements and future potential. The recipient will be selected through an independent review process and recognised alongside the Gene Awards recipients at the LSQ Gene Awards on September 11, 2026.
LSQ chair Frank Gannon said: “This bursary provides researchers with the flexibility to build on their work and extend its reach and relevance in ways that might not otherwise be possible. It is designed to build momentum at a pivotal point in a researcher’s career and support the continued growth of Queensland’s life sciences sector.”
Kym Guesdon, general manager of the Legends Global-managed BCEC, added: “While convention centres are often defined by the events they host, this bursary demonstrates a broader role. Through our Convention Advocates Partnership, we’re embedded in the sectors behind those events and the people driving them.
“Working alongside Life Sciences Queensland, it’s fitting that this initiative focuses on supporting emerging leaders at a time of accelerating innovation.
“The Gene Awards are an important platform for recognising excellence in life sciences, making them a natural home for this work as we invest in future leaders and the continued strength of the sector.”
