Start Something with Start@UNSW

Become a leader in your community and start something that makes a difference - no matter how big or small!

Personalise

Start Something is your opportunity to turn an idea into something real. Bring your idea to life with up to $1,000 in funding.

Become a leader in your community while building real-life, transferable skills early in your degree.

What is Start Something?

Start Something is an initiative run by Start@UNSW to help shape, plan and deliver your idea in real life. With the help of experienced Start@UNSW mentors, you'll create something that builds connection, community or wellbeing on or off campus, while gaining hands-on project experience along the way.

This is your chance to work on something you can talk about in interviews and to add a meaningful, real-world project to your CV and LinkedIn. It's an opportunity to build initiative, teamwork and skills early. You don't need a perfect idea, just something you care about, something exciting or fun. We'll help you take it from there!

What sort of initiatives will be approved?

We'd like you to think outside the box. This is your opportunity to make a difference, no matter how big or small. Think simple, achievable ideas like:

Running a toy or book drive to brighten up a local children's hospital waiting room.

Offering food incentives to the first 100 students who visit the library during exam week.

Organising a skill-share where students teach each other something fun or useful, from budgeting basics to Canva hacks.

Setting up a relaxed weekly study catch-up where you choose a different takeaway each week at a study hub like Liverpool for students who travel long distances.

Don't have it all figured out yet? That's completely fine. You'll be supported by staff and Senior Start@UNSW Mentors to help bring your idea to life and work through the details along the way.

What will I gain from Start Something?

Apart from making a real difference in the community, here's what you'll gain:

Showcase & networking opportunities

In Term 2, you'll be part of a Showcase and Networking Evening to celebrate your initiative. You'll have the opportunity to:

Deliver a lightning talk about your project
Connect with senior university leaders, industry partners and the UNSW Employability team
Hear from Start@UNSW alumni and guest speakers.

Recognition & career opportunities

There will be awards for outstanding initiatives. Prizes will include exclusive career mentoring and workshops from industry leaders, giving you access to people you wouldn't normally meet as a student.

One of these leaders is Dr Denise Meyerson, CEO of MCI Australia, a global award-winning education and training organisation.

1:1 mentoring and coaching from a senior industry leader
Insight into real career pathways and opportunities
Practical advice on how to turn your ideas into impact
A chance to build your professional network.

As a Telstra Businesswoman of the Year finalist and EY Winning Woman, Dr Meyerson will work directly with the winning team or individual, helping you take your ideas, skills and ambitions to the next level.

Real skills you can use anywhere

You'll be supported every step of the way, while building real-world, transferable skills that will set you up for internships, exchange and your future career:

Planning and developing a project
Managing a budget
Collaborating with others to create something meaningful
Presenting your work and building confidence in public speaking.

How can you sign up for Start Something?

Getting involved is easy. Simply complete the short application form and tell us about your idea. Don't worry if it's not fully formed yet. We're looking for potential, not perfection.

When do applications close?

Applications close on Thursday, 28 May 2026 (T2 O-Week).

You can apply anytime before then—no need to wait until the last minute!

When do I need to finish my initiative?

Your initiative should be wrapped up by Friday, 5 June 2026 (Week 5).

You’ll then spend Week 6 pulling together your results, ready to share at our showcase in Week 7.

Apply for Start Something

Things to think about:

How much funding are you applying for and how will you use it?
Who will your initiative benefit?
What timeline are you working towards?
What support might you need?

Our team will review your application and be in touch with next steps. If successful, you'll receive funding and support to plan and deliver your initiative across Term 2, with guidance from Start@UNSW staff and mentors along the way.