The Strong Beginnings (Excellence) Fund Round 2 supports projects that strengthen partnerships between initial teacher education providers and schools, increase participation and completion among teacher candidates from diverse cohorts and workforce priority areas, foster professional identity development, and enhance capability in core content, digital literacy, student wellbeing, and respectful relationships.
On this page:
Eligibility
Australian higher education providers offering accredited ITE courses are eligible to apply. This includes Table A providers or bodies corporate specified in the Higher Education Support (Other Grants) Guidelines 2022.
Priority Areas
- Improving provider-school relationships to support practical experience and transition into the classroom.
- Supporting targeted ITE strategies to attract and retain candidates from diverse cohorts and workforce priority areas (e.g. First Nations; culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD); science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); inclusive education; regional, rural and remote locations).
- Supporting professional identity development for ITE candidates to improve retention and readiness for teaching.
- Supporting ITE students to develop and practice skills in Core Content, digital literacy (e.g. AI, social media), and/or strategies to support student wellbeing and respectful relationships.
Application Process
- Opening Date: 6 October 2026
- Closing Date: 4 November 2026 at 5pm (AEDT)
- Total Funding Available: $1.3 million
The following key documents been developed to support the Round 2 application round: