Submissions for the 2026 Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund close on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.
Read the application guidelines
Our planet’s health affects our health, and as Australia’s largest health system, we have a huge role to play when it comes to climate change. NSW Health’s 2025 People Matter Employee Survey results show 76 percent of our staff support us taking action to improve environmental sustainability and that's exactly what we're doing.
The Sustainable Futures Innovation fund, now in its fourth year, has supported 37 successful projects so far. This fund provides NSW Health staff with the chance to receive funding for projects that improve health outcomes, reduce our environmental impact, and strengthen our climate resilience.
The Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund provides up to $50,000 to support staff-led innovation projects that improve patient care and reduce our environmental footprint.
There are three funding streams:
To be eligible to apply for the Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund, applicants must:
Before applying, applicants need to familiarise themselves with the guidelines prior to submitting their application.
All applicants need to get approval from the Chief Executive of their host organisation. In some host organisations, this approval process will be managed by the Sustainability Manager. In other host organisations, approval will need to be sought from the Chief Executive directly.
See the frequently asked questions to see which process applies to each host organisation.
A host organisation is a:
The local health districts (LHDs) and specialty networks listed below require an applicant to submit their proposal to their host organisation's Sustainability Manager who will coordinate the necessary approvals:
Your organisation may require you to submit your proposal ahead of the submission deadline. Please contact your Sustainability Manager to confirm the local submission deadline.
Applicants in other host organisations will need to submit their proposal directly to their Chief Executive.
Yes, Individuals may apply for funding for more than one innovation project.
Yes, the employee needs to remain an employee of NSW Health for the duration of the project. Otherwise, the funding for their project may be suspended.
Yes, host organisations can submit a maximum of nine projects for consideration.
No, do not submit two applications. Identify one lead host organisation and submit the application with the other host organisation as a partner organisation.
Fund recipients will be announced by mid-2026.
Funds will be provided to the successful recipients in July 2026, approximately.
The funds must be spent by 30 December 2026.
If you have any further questions, please email the Climate Risk and Net Zero Unit.
