What We Do
APPI helps drive effective policy outcomes in all areas. Our work is specifically designed to support Australian policymakers in a rapidly evolving policy landscape, harnessing leading university expertise to develop practical, evidence-based solutions.
A new era of public policy in Australia
APPI is a formal partner of government and a coalition of universities dedicated to public benefit research. An independent, non-partisan charity, we work closely with government decision-makers in tackling some of Australia’s most pressing challenges. From housing to the transition to a Net Zero economy, tertiary education and child protection reforms, we facilitate better collaboration between government and universities for the public good.

Government
Policy Projects
Policy Grants
and Fellowships
Policy Futures:
Capacity-building
Impact and Engagement
Explore our 2030 Strategy
Our 2030 Strategy sets out an ambitious vision for the Institute, building on its success to date.
Government Policy Projects
Our Government Policy Projects are designed to address complex, multidimensional public policy challenges. These unique projects facilitate collaboration between policymakers, leading university researchers and practitioners from community and industry to outline pragmatic policy opportunities for government. We regularly undertake rapid response projects to meet time-sensitive needs of government. Guided by our Impact Framework, we employ a rigorous approach to capturing the impact of our work. Regular impact stories illustrate the tangible effects of our efforts.
Recent projects



Collaborate with us
Our projects are initiated by government, for government. Get in touch to find out what projects are in the pipeline to see if your area of expertise aligns with our current activity, or to discuss partnering with us on a project.
Policy Grants and Fellowships
Policy Challenge Grants
About the program
The Institute’s prestigious Policy Challenge Grant program supports innovative, policy-focused research addressing pressing policy challenges. Through a rigorous selection process, grants are awarded to outstanding academics undertaking applied policy research, or translating existing research for a policy audience. These projects aim to generate new insights, foster collaboration between university researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders, and ultimately drive policy outcomes that improve lives. Our staff support grant winners throughout the lifecycle of their project, to facilitate engagement with government to ensure practical application through later editorial stages.
Key dates
The 2025 grant round was open from 12 March – 2 May 2025. The 2026 round will open in March 2026.
Who can apply?
Eligibility information is outlined for each grant round and is normally open to researchers from partner universities.
Policy Fellowships
About The Program
Our Policy Fellowship program provides opportunities for both public servants and academic researchers to pursue independent, impactful policy research. These fellowships provide qualified public servants or researchers to engage in in-depth policy research. All Policy Fellows analyse significant policy challenges and propose bold, practical solutions for public policy development, alongside Institute staff who help to make connections between topic areas and different sectors.
Key dates
Public service stream: Fellowships are considered on a rolling basis.
Academic stream: Fellowships are advertised directly by our university partners.
Who can apply?
Public service stream: Public servants working for the NSW Government
Academic stream: University researchers from APPI’s university partners
Policy Futures: Capacity-building
Policy Futures works at the interface of policy, evidence and practice to drive new opportunities for capability-building and uplift for established and emerging policy experts. These practitioner-centred programs aim to enhance skills and knowledge exchange around best practice in contemporary policymaking.
The program in numbers:
participants in APPI Future activities
government departments, agencies and other organisations participated
public servants attended
university researchers attended
Get involved
If you or your organisation is interested in getting involved in capability-building for contemporary policymaking or wish to learn more, contact us.
Engagement and Impact
APPI runs a robust program of external engagement activities for public policy professionals and the broader Australian public, featuring a range of initiatives such as interactive conferences, roundtables, webinars, and our digital thought leadership publication, The Policymaker. We provide a platform for those in government, universities, industry and civil society to problem-solve and share best practice. APPI engages in international peer networks, regularly welcoming global experts to learn about the Australian policy environment.
Our flagship event, The Policymaker Summit, is an annual gathering of public policy professionals focused on tackling the most pressing challenges facing policymakers today. It brings together experts from government, academia, industry, and civil society to discuss and develop practical solutions. The Summit provides a key platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and shaping the future of public policy in Australia.
Recent events

- 12 May 2025
- The Music Café, Sydney

- Tuesday 8 April 2025
- Webinar

Get involved
If you would like to partner with us on The Policymaker Summit or another event, contact us.