The Australian Marketing Institute and ANZMAC (Australia and New Zealand Marketing Academy) have allocated funds to provide a number of research grants that are applicable for industry-based research. A goal of the AMI is to provide direction and support for research involving marketing academics in Australia, and to encourage collaborations between academics and industry. 

The pandemic brought on by COVID-19, supply disruptions, global tensions, drive for a low carbon future and increasing adoption of digital technology, have wrought incredible change to the global economy. This will have long-term effects on consumer behavior, the marketplace, branding and communication strategies, market regulation and public policy, global business and more.  

A key component of the Australian Marketing Institute’s (AMI’s) charter is to facilitate relevant research for the advancement of marketing practice that will have a beneficial impact upon business, consumers and society as a whole.  Whilst companies pursue their own company specific marketing research, there is a need and gap for high quality basic research on current marketing practice issues. 

2025 Priority Themes: New Directions for Marketing Research 

We welcome proposals aligned with the following themes: 

• Marketing in an age of automation: How AI, machine learning, and autonomous technologies are reshaping marketing operations, content development, and customer interaction. 

• Trust, transparency, and ethical marketing: Addressing issues around data use, misinformation, responsible advertising, and ethical implications. 

• Resilient and inclusive consumer markets: Exploring marketing’s role in supporting ageing, marginalised, and culturally diverse communities through inclusive design and communication. 

• Designing human-centred customer experiences: Applying service design, emotional insight, and journey mapping to improve customer experience. 

• Regeneration and the circular economy: Investigating how marketing can promote sustainable consumption, circular product systems, and low-impact branding. 

• Marketing metrics for the modern era: Developing or applying new tools and technologies to help businesses evaluating the outcomes of marketing activities in terms of economic performance and broader social outcomes. 

There may be aspects of a topic that have not been addressed, or additional research topics that you feel may be of interest to practitioners; in either case we would welcome your thoughts and grant application. 

Eligibility Criteria 

• The lead applicant must be an academic affiliated with an Australian or New Zealand university. 

• Collaborations with industry partners are strongly encouraged (e.g., marketing firms, government agencies, or not-for-profits). 

• Proposals should demonstrate both academic rigour and real-world impact. 

Funding Details 

Individual projects may request up to AU$15,000, though smaller requests are also welcome. 

Submission Format 
Submissions should be no more than four pages (A4- pdf or word format) and must include: 

• Project title and summary 

• Names, roles, and affiliations of all applicants 

• Industry partner(s), if applicable 

• Project background and significance 

• Research objectives and methodology 

• Expected outcomes and impact for practice 

• Budget overview 

Key Dates 

• Submissions close: 30th September 2025 

• Initial feedback: Late October 2025 (with a three-week window for revisions) 

• Final outcomes announced: November 2025 

We look forward to supporting research that has practitioner application and will be looking to provide funding and/or foster collaborations between our member companies and academics working on these topics.    

For any further information please send an email to amianzmacgrants@ami.org.au.