Project Grants 2020 – 2023

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. The Lowitja Institute Project Grants support the research of new ideas that align to the Lowitja Institute Research Agenda themes (see below):

1. Empowerment,
2. Sovereignty,
3. Connectedness, and 
4. Cultural safety and respectful systems in the health sector.

Project grants are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations (that is organisations with a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Board) as the main applicant and grant holder. Projects must also be led by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Organisations that do not have existing relationships with researchers or internal research expertise are welcome to contact us if they are interested in discussing how we might assist in pairing them with a suitable researcher.

Grant types
Two grant types will be offered:

1. Discovery - projects that focus on investigating the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities and building the evidence-base around what we know works for our communities.
    
2. Implementation - projects that focus on translating existing knowledge into practice to achieve positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Your organisation may apply as the sole leader of the project, or in partnership with another stakeholder organisation. Partner organisations must make cash or in-kind contributions to the project of at least 50% of the grant amount requested. Projects must be no longer than 2 years, and the maximum amount available per project is $200,000. An additional grant of up to $20,000 will be offered to each project for knowledge translation, that is getting the right message to the right audience to achieve impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait lslander communities.

Projects must be no longer than 2 years, and the maximum amount available per project is $200,000. An additional grant of up to $20,000 will be offered to each project for knowledge translation, that is getting the right message to the right audience to achieve impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait lslander communities.

How to apply
Applications for the Lowitja Institute Project Grants will open on Monday 20 July 2020 and close on Monday 12 October 2020. Applicants that have not received a 2020 Lowitja Institute Seeding Grant will be required to submit an Expression of Interest.

Step-by-step application process

1. Read through the provided information and download the Expression of Interest form.
2. Register for and attend an online Q&A session (see below) for further information.
3. Complete EOI form, providing evidence of the Host Organisation’s eligibility, initial stakeholder engagement and the proposed project team. Expressions of Interest will close on 12 August 2020. Once complete, email to grants@lowitja.org.au
4. Await outcome of your Expression of Interest – if successful, you will be invited to submit an application via the Lowitja Institute Project Management Hub.
5. Ensure your proposal is complete and submitted by 12 October 2020.
6. Await outcome of the assessment of your proposal – this will be in early November 2020.
7. Successful applicants will enter into contract negotiations, with the aim of having all successful projects launched in December 2020.

Selection criteria
The Lowitja Institute is interested in research proposals that meet the following selection criteria:

• Meet the applicant eligibility criteria (see below)
• Address one of the Lowitja Institute Research Themes (See below) and a clear aspiration and/or need in policy or practice
• Address the Lowitja key principles
• Led by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander lead or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher
• Demonstrate partnership with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers or researchers with relevant expertise
• Demonstrate meaningful impact and engagement (see below) – for example, potential to build research capacity, stakeholder engagement and partnerships
• Include a complete and detailed and realistic project description, project plan and budget
• Demonstrate opportunity to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, mature aged and older people, young people, people who identify as LGBTIQ, and people in contact with the criminal justice system

Considering the COVID-19 public health emergency, applicants need to reflect a realistic timeframe for their project and address current public health guidelines and physical distancing protocols in their project proposal. Applicants are encouraged to adopt new ways to facilitate the delivery of projects, for example, communication technologies and online platforms.

Q&A Drop-in sessions
The Lowitja Institute will host online Q&A sessions from 28 July 2020, to provide potential applicants with information about the project funding requirements. Due to limited places per session, bookings are essential. Please register here.

Please Note: Applicants are advised to read the program guidelines online and gather information on project proposals prior to attending a drop-in session. If you would like to check whether your project meets the eligibility criteria beforehand, please contact Alex Zurawski – alex.zurawski@lowitja.org.au