This year CBCS launched its latest funding initiative, the CBCS Community Building Small Grant Scheme, which aims to support creative, inclusive, bottom-up activities that strengthen connections within CBCS whilst building links beyond CBCS and the School of the Environment.
“The scheme opens up space for connections to develop in ways we may not anticipate. From supporting carers to creating opportunities for exchange across fields, it highlights how enabling people to bring their lived experiences and diverse perspectives into creating and leading shared activities can strengthen our community and build meaningful links beyond it,” says Matt Holden, CBCS Deputy Director of Community.
Read about the funded projects and meet the awardees below:
Awardees: Dr Karlina Indraswari and Associate Professor Janni Leung (Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences)
About the grant:
“It Takes a Village to Support Mums” — bringing together primary carers (inclusive of all genders) in academia to connect, share experiences, and identify their support needs to build an ongoing, inclusive, and family-friendly community that strengthens wellbeing, belonging, and peer support.
Awardee: Nidhi Sajit Menon
About the grant:
“Enhancing collaborations across CBCS and Astrophyics” — Practical knowledge exchange workshop between CBCS and Astrophysics students: spotlighting, shore walking, stargazing, and sharing at the Moreton Bay Research Station (MBRS).
Awardee: Chrysanthe Frangos
About the grant: “Decks and Dairy networking” — CBCSers community-building yogurt bar and card games event to foster cross-group interaction and informal networking through inclusive games.
Awardee: Liana van Woesik
About the grant: “CBCS Olympics” — Brisbane is hosting the Olympics in 2032, but why wait? We’re bringing you the 2026 CBCS Olympics for an afternoon of friendly competition, featuring fun challenges and mixed-team sports in an inclusive, low-pressure format. Best of all: no training required — just come along for an afternoon of connection, community building, and friendly networking disguised as sport.