Major Research Grant projects
Lowitja Institute research commissioning aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to transform their ideas into aspirations that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and improve health and wellbeing outcomes within a generation.
Lowitja Institute provides Major Research Grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations only. We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations with Seeding Grant and Major Research Grant funding to do research that is led by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Information about Major Research Grant funding
Current projects
Below is a list of the nine projects funded in the 2024-26 funding round. For previous research projects, see Research projects
ACCOs and child welfare decision-making
Understanding how Aboriginal community controlled organisations (ACCOs) are enacting new statutory authority in child welfare decision-making: An initial process evaluation of the Community Protecting Boorais Program
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Preston, VIC Chief Investigator: Muriel Bamblett Themes: Health policy and systems, Self-determination Project summary: VACCA has led the work on…
View research
Models of community care for children’s eye heath
Ngaaminya Project: A First Nations-led project mapping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community expectations of good eye health for children
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Campbelltown, NSWChief Investigator: Lose Fonua Themes: Health conditions, Cultural determinants Project summary: This project will contribute to a broader strategy…
View research
Backing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to address school exclusion
Understanding and Resisting School Exclusion through the Education Justice Lab
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Coburg, VICChief Investigator: Hayley McQuire Themes: Mental health, Social and emotional wellbeing, Sovereignty Project summary: The Education Justice Lab (EJL)…
View research
Actioning Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consent and data sharing priorities to guide community controlled health service best practice
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Varsity Lakes, QLD Chief Investigator: Letitia Campbell Themes: Health policy and systems, Sovereignty Project summary: Limited literature confirms lack of…
View research
Understanding the key barriers and enablers for Aboriginal women pursuing a career in midwifery
Mob caring for Mob: Establishing educational pathways to midwifery for Aboriginal women to support the upscaling of Birthing on Country services
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Nowra, NSW Themes: Workforce, self-determination Project summary: This project aims to decolonise and strengthen the maternity care workforce by improving…
View research
Stolen Generation Survivors’ and their descendants’ health and wellbeing
Exploring the health and wellbeing needs of Stolen Generations and their descendants in South Australia
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Salisbury Downs, SA Chief Investigator: Associate Professor Kim Morey Themes: Community health and wellbeing, Self-Determination Project summary: This project is…
View research
Measuring the burden of iron deficiency in Aboriginal children under five years
Prevention, early detection and management of iron deficiency in children under 5 years at an ACCHO in far-western NSW
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Broken Hill, NSW Chief Investigator: Lavinia Henderson Themes: Health conditions, Self-determination Project summary: This project is a foundational piece of…
View research
Empowering Aboriginal students to make healthy choices and improve their overall wellbeing
Evaluating the pilot Healthy Deadly Kids Program designed by the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Wollongong, NSW Chief Investigator: Kane Ellis Themes: Community health and wellbeing, Self-determination Project summary: This project is a foundational piece…
View research
Strengthening the cultural determinants of Maaman Aboriginal health, spirit and wellbeing
Maaman Waankiny Wur Walbriny
Year granted: 2024 Organisation location: Centennial Park, WA Chief Investigator: Rohan Collard Themes: Culture for health and wellbeing, Cultural determinants Project summary: The Maaman Waankiny…
View research