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Seeding Grants 2020

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The seeding grants have closed

Lowitja Institute Seeding Grants aim to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to transform their ideas and aspirations into concepts that:

In light of the COVID-19 public health emergency, applicants need to consider a realistic timeframe for their project and address current public health guidelines and social distancing protocols in developing their project proposal.

The Seeding Grants are the first step to express an interest in the Lowitja Institute Grant Funding Round in July 2020.

A successful seeding project does not guarantee additional Lowitja Institute funding. However, seeding projects may be used to seek funding from other research funding sources. So, if your organisation has a great idea and the passion and ability to make it happen, then it's time to apply.

Grant details and key dates:

Grant Details  Timeline 
Grant amount  Up to $40,000 
Open date  27 April 2020 
Closing date for Seeding Grant application 22 May 2020 

Successful applicants commence transforming their ideas into a project for research       

 30 June 2020 

End of seeding grant project and submission of final reporting 

 4 September 2020 

 

Applicant eligibilityALT TITLE

Seeding grant applications will be accepted from Aboriginal and Torres Strait organisations that meet the following criteria:

  • Registered ABN or ACN
  • Active Australian bank account
  • Current insurances:
    • Public Liability insurance to a minimum $10 million in respect of any claim or series of related claim
    • Professional Indemnity insurance to a minimum $10 million in respect of any claim or series of related claims, and
    • Worker’s Compensation insurance for all employees and sub-contractors involved in delivery of the services
  • Registered under
    • the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006,
    • the Corporations Act 2001, or
    • Supply Nation
  • Employs at least five people
  • A legal entity that can enter into legally binding agreements
  • Is not bankrupt or subject to insolvency proceedings and is financially solvent, and has systems in place that ensure that it will remain solvent.
Selection criteria ALT TITLE

The Lowitja Institute is interested in seeding grant proposals that meet the following selection criteria:

  • The applicant organisation is eligible under the criteria outlined in ‘Applicant Eligibility Criteria’ (outlined above) and all supporting documentation are uploaded.
  • Demonstrates relevance to the selected research theme and conveys how the research project has been formulated to address a clear aspiration and/or need in policy or practice.
    • Empowerment
    • Sovereignty
    • Connectedness
    • Cultural Safety and Respectful Systems
  • Demonstrates how the project outcome will generate meaningful impact and engagement for example potential to build research capacity, stakeholder engagement and partnerships. (See Appendix 1)
  • Demonstrates a rigorous and feasible project plan and budget, and all supporting documentation are uploaded.
  • Demonstrates opportunity to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, mature aged and older people, young people, people who identify as LGBTIQ, and people in contact with criminal justice system.
  • Your video, if applicable, does not exceed 2mins 30secs in length, and 2GB in size. It must address the selection criteria and anything else you believe will help support your application.
Q&A drop-in sessions ALT TITLE

The Lowitja Institute will host drop-in sessions in April and May for representatives to come and discuss their idea or ask any questions.

The sessions will allow prospective applicants to receive guidance on the seeding grant funding requirements, guidelines and eligibility, and seek answers to any questions specific to a project before applying. The Lowitja Institute team can also help make relevant introductions that would help the project. Due to limited places per session, bookings are essential. 

The Q&A drop-in sessions will be held at 11am (AEST) on

  • Wednesday 29 April
  • Thursday 30 April
  • Friday 1 May
  • Monday 3 May
  • Tuesday 4 May
  • Wednesday 5 May
  • Thursday 6 May, and
  • Friday 8 May.

Please register at EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lowitja-institute-seed-grant-info-session-tickets-102743025154    

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 seeding grant funding criteria beforehand, please contact Alex Zurawski –  alex.zurawski@lowitja.org.au

Research themes ALT TITLE

Aim  
Lowitja Institute’s Research Agenda 2019 to 2023 aims to achieve positive health and wellbeing benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples through the empowerment, sovereignty and connectedness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.  

Themes 

The Agenda focuses on four key themes:  

  1. Empowerment
  2. Sovereignty
  3. Connectedness, and 
  4. Cultural safety and respectful systems in the health sector. 
Types of research impact and examples ALT TITLE

Research Impact
Research impact is an emerging national requirement of government-funded projects. The Australian Research Council defines research impact as the ‘contribution research makes to the economy, society, public policy or health that is beyond contributions to academia’.

At Lowitja Institute, we have adapted this definition and drawn on a variety of sources to develop a definition specific to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health context: research impact is the positive and sustainable long-term benefit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, beyond the realms of academia. 

It is important to demonstrate and measure research impact as it helps us know if our research has been translated successfully into policy and practice for the benefit and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Types of research impact 
Lowitja Institute has identified five types of research impact: 

  1. Health impact 
  2. Knowledge impact 
  3. Economic impact 
  4. Social impact 
  5. Environmental impact 

Table 1 in the information pack provides a description of each type of impact and examples that may be relevant to your project. The examples provided are there to provide guidance for you to think about the impacts your own project might demonstrate. 

 

The seeding grants have closed