Grants round open for capacity building
03 August 2026
Individuals working, or training to work, in the forest products value chain are encouraged to apply for these great opportunities to boost their skills and knowledge, before the closing date on midnight 19th October 2026.
Grants are open to anyone in the Australian sector. They could be a saw doctor, mill or machine operator, GIS analyst, forest ecologist, harvest planner, farm forester, tree geneticist, timber product engineer, marketer, tree nursery expert or a forest scientist, PhD researcher, TAFE student, architect.
Each grant category has an online application & a competitive selection process. Then grant funds are provided to a small number of successful applicants. People can use those funds for agreed activities that will build their skills, knowledge & network. The employer of a grant recipient can also benefit from their staff member’s commitment to their own skill development.
Funding helps an individual to pursue activities to match their ambition. Very significant career benefits can result. See what people say at this page. Several people have benefitted from being awarded a Gottstein Fellowship in recent years. Among them, Queensland based engineer & researcher Maryam Shirmohammadi says the fellowship “was enriching & transformative”. Completed in 2025, her project focussed on nuances of mass timber building moisture monitoring & management. The fellowship ”deepened my understanding of emerging global best practices … (it) allowed me to grow my professional network internationally”. Another is ACT based Patrick McCarthy, “It was a tremendous privilege to be able to step away from the usual day-to-day work pattern to both learn about the culture of family forestry in North America, and reflect on the opportunities and challenges in Australia.”
Don't let this chance pass by
We urge all People & Culture teams, business owners, executives, & site managers to please let your people know about this & encourage them to apply for one of three categories below.
Skills Development Grant
Will fund a specific activity (for example a short course or travel to an expo) that will improve an individual’s skills & effectiveness. People working at any level in the sector may apply – no pre-requisites.
Fellowship Grant
The premier opportunity which supports talented individuals to pursue their own original project idea. It must have potential to positively benefit the Australian forest growing & timber processing industry. Usually a recipient undertakes an international or Australian study tour. These stimulating tailor-made study tours are proven to be boost careers.
Scholarship Grant
Designed to provide extra monetary support to technical college & university students who pursue a relevant field of study. Some Scholars have opportunity to attend industry events from time to time as well.
Mark your diary - closes at midnight Monday 19th October 2026.
More information, and online application forms for each category can be reached at this page
Enquiries to email: team@gottsteintrust.org.