Translating Research into Impact: ECR Training Program

16 January 2026

The Translating Research into Impact program supports Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and PhD candidates to build the skills, confidence and connections needed to turn high-quality research into real-world impact.

Twenty-three ECRs and PhD candidates from partner universities have been selected to participate in this fully funded program, delivered by the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub’s Land and Primary Industries Network (LPIN) in partnership with the SQNNSW Innovation Hub.

Program Objectives

The program is designed to:

▪ Build system-wide capability for research translation and impact across agriculture and climate-focused research

▪ Address identified skills gaps in impact planning, stakeholder engagement and translation practice among ECRs and PhD candidates

▪ Support the development of future research leaders equipped to deliver real-world outcomes

▪ Strengthen collaboration between research institutions, industry, government and community partners

 

Why It Matters

Expectations on researchers are changing. Alongside academic excellence, researchers are increasingly expected to demonstrate how their work creates tangible benefits beyond publications.

Training opportunities for ECRs to develop these capabilities can vary across institutions and disciplines. This program provides a structured pathway to strengthen impact-focused skills and connect participants with broader networks and resources, helping them to maximise the long-term value of their research.

Participants and Focus Areas

The selected cohort includes ECRs and PhD candidates whose research focuses on:

▪ Agriculture

▪ Decarbonisation

▪ Drought and climate resilience

 

All participants have demonstrated a strong interest in research translation and a commitment to applying impact-focused approaches in their work.

Design and Experience

The program has been co-designed with an Impact Advisory Panel of researchers, impact specialists and industry representatives, and is tailored to the needs and research contexts of participants. It has already attracted strong interest and has the potential to expand nationally.

The program includes:

▪ A two-day intensive workshop (26–27 February 2026, Gold Coast), with travel and accommodation fully funded

▪ Five interactive online sessions delivered over three months

▪ Access to impact planning templates and a research translation toolkit

 

What the Program Delivers

Participants in the program gain:

▪ Career-defining skills: Practical tools and frameworks for planning research with clear pathways to impact

▪ Strategic connections: Opportunities to engage with industry, community and policy stakeholders, and to build networks that support translation and uptake

▪ Confident communication: Support to articulate the value of their research to diverse audiences beyond academic peers

 

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Supporting Net Zero Through Capacity Building

Developing workforce capability is a core objective of the NSW Decarb Hub as it supports NSW in reaching its 2035 and 2050 Net Zero targets. This program is part of the Capacity Building Project, a 12-month initiative designed to strengthen skills, knowledge and networks across the land and primary industries sector.

The project focuses on four key areas: (1) supporting farmers and landholders to adopt decarbonisation practices; (2) helping ECRs translate research into impact; (3) communicating and demonstrating how NSW-developed next-generation decarbonisation technologies can accelerate the transition to Net Zero; and (4) engaging individuals interested in future decarbonisation innovations.