About the program
The Tertiary Transformation Grants have been established to:
- strengthen alcohol and other drugs and suicide prevention workforce capability and
- improve suicide prevention outcomes and supports in Queensland’s tertiary education sector.
A total funding pool of $1.5 million is available, with up to $250,000 per priority area, per application.
These grants support innovative initiatives that align with the following priority areas:
Priority area 1: Suicide prevention programs
Develop and embed suicide prevention competencies into tertiary curricula, co-designed with people with lived-living experience (LLE) of suicide, to build a skilled future workforce.
Priority area 2: Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and stigma reduction programs
Develop and embed AOD competencies and stigma reduction into tertiary curricula, co-designed with people with LLE of AOD use.
Priority Area 3: Transforming suicide prevention responses in tertiary education
Design, implement, evaluate, and promote settings-based suicide prevention and postvention initiatives, co-designed with students, staff, and people with LLE of suicide, to improve responses and reduce stigma in tertiary settings.
Why this matters
The tertiary education sector, including universities and vocational education and training (VET) providers, are a critical pathway for developing Queensland’s suicide prevention and AOD workforce.
Tertiary education providers equip students with knowledge, skills, and non-stigmatising approaches to support people experiencing suicidal distress or AOD concerns.
They are also a key setting for suicide prevention, as students and staff may experience risk factors such as financial stress, sleep disruption, study pressure, and social stigma.
These grants will enhance workforce capability, improve suicide prevention responses, and promote awareness of AOD and suicide prevention career pathways.
Who can apply
The Commission is seeking to engage suppliers with the capabilities and experience to deliver innovative, evidence-informed initiative(s) that address one or more of the following objectives:
- Embed co-designed, evidence-based knowledge and skills in tertiary curricula
- Measure stigma and stigma-reduction outcomes through curriculum, communication, and engagement activities
- Strengthen the suicide prevention and AOD workforce by improving education-to-employment pathways
- Enhance access to evidence-based suicide prevention and postvention support for students and staff.
Separate applications are required for different priority areas.
Additional criteria around delivery periods, lived-living experience and evaluation and sustainability also apply. Please see Smarty Grants for further information.
Partnership approaches will be supported.
- Attend the online briefing session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, 18 December 2025 at 1:00pm-2:00pm AEST.
- Read the grant guidelines and apply online via SmartyGrants.
Applications close 12:00pm AEST, Friday 6 February 2026.
For more information, please contact contracts@qmhc.qld.gov.au
How does this support reform?
The Tertiary Transformation Grants deliver actions under:
- Every Life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019–2029 to strengthen tertiary settings and workforce pathways,
- Achieving Balance: The Queensland Alcohol & Other Drugs Plan 2022–2027 to enhance tertiary curriculum content and promote AOD careers, and
- The Commission’s Strategic Plan 2025–2029 to prioritise lived-living experience leadership, workforce capability, and systemic reform.
