Community Benefit Fund: Gambling Research Grant Program (Australia)

The Community Benefit Fund (CBF) Gambling Research Grant Program supports higher education institutions and recognised research facilities conducting research projects focused on preventing and reducing gambling harm in the Northern Territory (NT). The programme funds research that improves understanding of gambling participation, community impacts, gambling technologies, and the effectiveness of harm minimisation strategies.

Eligible organisations can apply for research funding through the GrantsNT portal between 1 July and 31 August each year. Funding amounts are determined based on available resources and research priorities, with support available for direct research costs such as personnel, data collection, equipment, and approved project activities.

What is the Community Benefit Fund Gambling Research Grant Program?

The Community Benefit Fund Gambling Research Grant Program is a Northern Territory Government initiative that provides financial support for research projects addressing gambling-related harm.

The programme aims to generate evidence that can help improve:

Gambling harm prevention strategies
Public policy decisions
Community support services
Gambling regulation
Harm minimisation programmes

Funded research must demonstrate a clear connection to the Northern Territory and provide practical benefits for communities affected by gambling.

Objectives of the Grant Program

The programme supports research that helps understand and reduce gambling-related harm through evidence-based approaches.

Key objectives include:

Improving knowledge about gambling participation patterns
Understanding the social and community impacts of gambling
Examining gambling products and emerging technologies
Evaluating harm reduction policies and interventions
Supporting stronger gambling-related decision-making in the Northern Territory

Priority Research Themes

The programme focuses on four major research areas.

1. Monitoring and Surveillance of Gambling Participation and Harm

Research may examine:

Gambling participation trends
Gambling behaviour patterns
Levels of gambling harm
Community risk factors
Data collection methods

Projects may contribute to improved gambling monitoring systems and reporting.

2. Understanding Community Effects of Gambling

Research may explore:

Social impacts of gambling
Effects on families and communities
Economic impacts
Vulnerable population experiences
Community-level harm prevention approaches

3. Gambling Products and Technological Innovations

Projects may investigate:

New gambling products
Digital gambling platforms
Technology-related gambling risks
Changes in gambling behaviour caused by innovation

This area supports understanding of emerging challenges in the gambling environment.

4. Evaluation of Harm Minimisation Policies and Programs

Research may assess:

Effectiveness of gambling regulations
Prevention programmes
Support services
Policy outcomes
Community interventions

The goal is to identify approaches that successfully reduce gambling harm.

2025–26 Research Priorities

For the 2025–26 funding round, priority areas include:

Northern Territory Gambling Data Snapshots

Research supporting the development of gambling-related data summaries and insights for the NT.

Evaluation of CBF Amelioration Grant Projects

Studies examining the effectiveness and outcomes of projects funded through CBF gambling harm initiatives.

Evaluation of Northern Territory Gambling Regulation

Research assessing gambling policies, regulatory approaches, and their impact.

Gambling Motivations and Effective Interventions

Studies exploring:

Why people gamble
Factors influencing gambling behaviour
Effective prevention and intervention methods

Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Support for a postgraduate research scholarship focused on a longitudinal study of gambling in the Northern Territory.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Higher education institutions
Recognised and reputable research facilities

Applicants must:

Comply with Northern Territory Government grant reporting requirements
Have no outstanding acquittals with the Community Benefit Fund
Conduct gambling-related research
Demonstrate direct benefit and application to the Northern Territory

Who Cannot Apply?

Applications are not eligible from organisations that:

Have unresolved grant reporting obligations
Have outstanding CBF acquittals
Propose research unrelated to gambling harm
Cannot demonstrate NT relevance

Funding Amount and Eligible Costs

Available Funding

There is:

No fixed maximum funding limit stated
Funding determined according to available budget and research priorities

The amount awarded depends on:

Research quality
Project needs
Available programme funding

Eligible Expenses

Grant funding may support direct research costs, including:

Research Personnel

Examples include:

Researchers
Research assistants
Project staff directly involved in delivery

Research Equipment

Funding may support:

Essential research equipment
Required tools and resources

Direct Research Activities

Eligible costs may include:

Travel within the Northern Territory
Data collection
Research services
Necessary project-related expenses

Ineligible Expenses

Grant funds cannot be used for:

General organisational overheads
Administrative costs unrelated to research
Conference attendance
Overseas travel
Non-research expenses
Unrelated organisational activities

How to Apply for the Gambling Research Grant

Applicants must submit applications through the GrantsNT portal.

Step 1: Register on GrantsNT

Organisations must create and maintain an approved GrantsNT account.

Important requirement:

Only one registered account is permitted per organisation.

Step 2: Develop a Research Proposal

Applications should explain:

Research objectives
Methodology
Expected outcomes
NT community benefits
Project timeline
Budget requirements

Step 3: Demonstrate Northern Territory Benefit

Applicants must clearly explain how research findings will:

Support NT communities
Improve gambling harm responses
Inform policies or programmes

Step 4: Submit Application

Applications are accepted:

Opening period: 1 July each year
Closing date: 31 August each year

Applications submitted outside the official period will not be considered.

Assessment and Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by the CBF secretariat and external experts.

Assessment criteria include:

Merit – 40%

Reviewers consider:

Research quality
Relevance
Innovation
Methodology

Viability – 30%

Assessment focuses on:

Project feasibility
Research capability
Resources
Timeline

Value and Risk – 30%

Reviewers consider:

Community benefit
Value for money
Project risks

Projects may require additional assessment if they:

Receive funding above $100,000
Continue for more than 12 months

These applicants may be asked to provide a presentation.

Reporting Requirements for Successful Applicants

Successful grant recipients must:

Sign a formal funding agreement
Submit progress reports
Submit final reports
Provide evidence of project outcomes

Any unused funds above $100 must be returned to the Community Benefit Fund.

Why It Matters

Gambling harm can affect individuals, families, and communities. Research supported through this programme helps create stronger evidence-based responses.

The programme contributes to:

Better understanding of gambling behaviour
Improved prevention strategies
Stronger community support systems
More effective government policies

Evidence generated through funded research can directly influence gambling harm reduction efforts in the Northern Territory.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

Clearly linking research to gambling harm prevention
Demonstrating practical NT benefits
Using strong research methodologies
Explaining how findings will be applied
Providing realistic budgets
Including experienced research teams

Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting research unrelated to gambling
Failing to explain NT relevance
Including indirect organisational costs
Missing application deadlines
Providing unclear research methods
Ignoring reporting requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Community Benefit Fund Gambling Research Grant Program?

It is a Northern Territory Government research funding programme supporting studies that prevent and reduce gambling harm.

Who can apply for this grant?

Higher education institutions and recognised research facilities can apply.

When can applications be submitted?

Applications are submitted through GrantsNT between 1 July and 31 August each year.

How much funding is available?

There is no fixed upper funding limit. Amounts depend on available funds and research priorities.

What research areas are supported?

The programme supports research on gambling participation, community impacts, gambling technologies, and harm minimisation policies.

Can grant funds cover conference attendance or overseas travel?

No. Funding cannot be used for conference attendance, overseas travel, or unrelated administrative costs.

When will successful applicants be notified?

Successful applicants will generally be notified by 30 November.

Conclusion

The Community Benefit Fund Gambling Research Grant Program provides important support for research that addresses gambling harm prevention and reduction in the Northern Territory. By funding high-quality research, the programme helps improve understanding of gambling impacts, strengthen policies, and develop more effective community-based solutions.