Join the Innovation Hub’s 2026 Project Coaching Program

The program helps UNSW teams work through complex challenges, build momentum and increase the impact of their work.

Expressions of interest (EOIs) for UNSW Innovation Hub’s 2026 Project Coaching Program (PCP) are now open. 

This free program supports project teams from any faculty, division or centre across UNSW who have encountered a barrier that is slowing progress, limiting impact or creating uncertainty around next steps.

The PCP supports all types of projects and teams – including operations, education and research teams – to navigate effectively toward their project goals in the context of a large and complex institution. The program recognises that even the strongest projects can encounter hurdles. Often, as projects grow in scale, turning ideas into action becomes harder due to the interdependencies of multiple systems, priorities and perspectives.

The PCP focuses on team dynamics, processes and resources, using design thinking methods to support innovative problem-solving. Through a structured series of coaching sessions and workshops, teams are supported to build shared understanding, strengthen collaboration strategies and test new ways of working together.

Support to reframe challenges

In 2025, the Innovation Hub worked with five UNSW project teams, with members drawn from across 10 faculties and divisions. While each project was grappling with a different challenge, many teams found value in stepping back, reframing their work and creating space to reflect together.

For Nathaniel Lewis, Director, Educational Data and Insights, the PCP helped his team expand how they worked and connected with others across UNSW.

“For a small team focused on data and technical elements, we were able to transition into a team that could run workshops, engage with the community and collect important insights to help us do our job better,” he said.

Nathaniel said the program created valuable space for reflection and innovation, helping the team explore new approaches and reconnect with the purpose behind their work.

Associate Professor Ruth McCausland from UNSW’s Division of Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement (SIEE) also reflected on her team’s experience of the program.

“We found it valuable to have an external team who brought methods, experience and reflections from working with teams across the University to help us deal with the challenges of embedding our work across UNSW.”

Across last year’s cohort, teams used the program to reframe their challenge, strengthen how they told their story or better navigate UNSW’s complex internal environment. 

Reflecting on the success of last year, Dr Carly Vickers, Director of the UNSW Innovation Hub, said, “Teams already have deep expertise and the collective motivation to realise their project goals. What makes the difference is creating time and space to work through complexity together, rebuild momentum and move forward with a refreshed sense of shared purpose.”

Learn more about how the PCP helped project teams in 2025.

Submit an EOI

EOIs for the 2026 PCP close on Thursday 19 February. Optional online Q&A sessions are available for prospective applicants who would like to learn more and ask questions. 

Find out more about the program, register for a Q&A session and apply.