Research and Knowledge Translation Major Grants Program 2022–23

Lowitja Institute's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Major Grants for 2022–23, intend to contribute to the empowerment and improvement in the health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by commissioning research that is high impact and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Community-led research

Aboriginal-led research will influence policy and practice within the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Research Council (ARC) and other relevant funding organisations to ensure knowledge is rapidly translated into measurable improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Australia-wide.

The Major Grants provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to transform their ideas into reality.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Major Grants for 2022–23 will support the research of new ideas that align to one of the Lowitja Institute Research Agenda themes:

Empowerment – This theme seeks to address the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can take responsibility for, and control of their everyday lives to support decision making and behaviour change that contribute to self-determination and social transformation.
Sovereignty – This theme seeks to address the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can celebrate and improve sovereignty over their health and wellbeing. This can be interpreted as concepts such as agency and control, access to services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.
Connectedness – This theme seeks to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ relationship and belonging to environment and country for strong health and wellbeing and the way belonging, environment and country is reflected and strengthened through knowledge translation.
Cultural safety and respectful systems – This theme seeks to address the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique physical, mental, social, spiritual, and cultural needs are embedded at all levels of health care from policy development and implementation to health service management and delivery, research and education and training to improve health system quality and safety.

Who can apply?

The Major Grants are for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations only.

What is the criteria?

Organisations are not expected to have research experience for the Major Grants. 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.

How long are the grants for?

The funding of the grant is for two years.
The research projects must be no longer then the funding timeframe, and the maximum amount available per project is $200,000. An additional grant of up to $20,000 will be offered to each project that is successful in the grant round, for knowledge translation. This will be offered after 12 months of the project is completed and will assist in getting the right message to the right audience to achieve impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait lslander communities.

Key dates

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Major Grants for 2022–23 key dates:

How to apply

To start your application and apply for the grant round, you will need to review the Major Research Grant Guidelines below. Applications must be submitted through the Smarty Grants online application portal.

Major Research Grant Guidelines 2022-2025

Smarty Grants Application

Information sessions for the grants

The Lowitja Institute Research and Knowledge Translation team is here to help and answer any questions about the grant and the application process. We will be holding an information webinar while the applications are open to answer any questions communities may have.

Webinar date: Friday 4 November, 12.30 pm

Additional grant applications resources:

Grant Application Checklist

'How to apply' SmartyGrants application guide

Example budget for Major Grants

Research proposal template (Word)

Research proposal template (PDF)

Terms and Conditions

If you require any assistance with your application or the Smarty Grants portal, please do not hesitate to contact the Lowitja Institute Research and Knowledge Translation team or you can also contact the Smarty Grants Help Hub: Via phone: +61 3 9320 6888 or  service@smartygrants.com.au