Deadline: 19-Nov-23
The Lowitja Institute invites applications for the grant scheme to support all levels of research readiness; from community-controlled organisations which have never led research before through to early career researchers partnering with communities to undertake a small research program.
Lowitja Institute’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Seeding Grant Scheme for 2023 aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career researchers to lead community driven research. The purpose of the Seeding Grant Scheme is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to grow small ideas, transform, and action research from community priorities into meaningful research projects.
2023 Lowitja Institute Seeding Grant Funding Streams
- Stream 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Seeding Symposium
- This stream has been curated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities which have not led research before. Community members will have the opportunity to participate in a symposium, including a workshop to develop their ideas for research. Indigenous researcher leaders will support communities to develop a research proposal to submit to the Major Grants program.
- Stream 2: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Seeding Grant
- This stream has been curated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities which may or may not have led research before but have the resources and relationships to bring together key stakeholders to develop their own research proposal to submit to the Major Grants program.
- Stream 3: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Career Researcher Partnership Grant
- This is a partnership grant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career researchers who wish to conduct a research project in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations. The evidence drawn from this stream should result in a major grant application submitted external to Lowitja Institute.
Funding Information
- Stream 2: Funding of up to $15,000 is available in this stream.
- Stream 3: Funding of up to $50,000 is available in this stream.
What can Grant Funds be used for?
- Funding provided by Lowitja Institute Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Seeding Grant Scheme must be spent on costs that are directly associated with the research requirements of the grant.
- These activities could include:
- The engagement of researchers, consultants, specialists, experts, contractors or stakeholders directly on the project
- Project administration (a maximum of 20% of total grant money) for items such as project management, report writing, bookkeeping, audits, and financial management
- Facilitation of workshops or community meetings including Lowitja Institute capability and research training
- Domestic travel for researchers to engage with community and key stakeholders for the project
- Project specific resources and equipment applicable to the project
- Reimbursement for participants in the research (applicable to the research design).
- These activities could include:
Eligibility Criteria
- Stream 1 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Seeding Symposium
- Symposium participants must identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (up to 2 participants per organisation can apply)
- Symposium participants must be an employee of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisation that is governed by a majority of identified board members (above 51%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have been elected by the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community with an incorporation number
- The participants’ organisation has the available resources and ability to be involved in the seeding symposium with potential for future research involvement
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisation is not a current funded grant holder of Lowitja Institute.
- Stream 2 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Seeding Grant
- An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person must be leading the research (Chief Investigator)
- An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisation that is governed by a majority of identified board members (above 51%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have been elected by the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community with an incorporation number
- Have an Australian Business Number or Indigenous Business Number, including an account with an Australian financial institution
- Have no outstanding reports, acquittals or serious breaches relating to any Australian government funding (a serious breach might be one that has resulted in termination of a grant agreement)
- Not be bankrupt or subject to insolvency proceedings
- Have the available resources and ability to undertake a research project in accordance with Lowitja Institute’s Seeding Grant Agreement
- Intend to submit an application for the Lowitja Institute Major Grant Scheme in 2024
- Not currently hold a Lowitja Institute grant.
- Stream 3 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Career Researcher Partnership Grant
- An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career researcher as Chief Investigator (final year of PhD or conferred in the past 5 years)
- Currently employed at a University or Research Institute in Australia
- Have a partnership with at least one Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation
- Have the available resources and ability to undertake a research project in accordance with Lowitja Institute’s Seeding Grant Agreement
- Intend to submit an application for an external major grant at the conclusion of the seeding grant funding period.
Ineligible Funding
- Activities of the organisation that are already funded by government bodies or are part of their normal responsibilities.
- Activities for which other commonwealth, state, territory or local government bodies have primary responsibility (including program delivery, language revitalisation, and native title claims research).
- Biomedical or clinical projects that do not include a significant Indigenous social or cultural research emphasis (these would normally be referred to the NHMRC for consideration)
- Descriptions or histories of institutions or programs carried out by the institutions/programs themselves or their staff
- Capital works and purchases, including purchases of land or buildings.
- Purchasing of equipment (computers, projectors etc)
- Operational funding or ongoing administration and employment within an organisation
- Activities with a primarily commercial focus or intent
- Activities with a political or lobbying focus or intent
- Costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
- International travel.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Individuals and consultants
- Non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups or organisations
- For-profit organisations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses
- Federal and state government agencies and bodies
- Public schools or universities
- Unincorporated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations or groups
- Organisations that have not met project requirements, including acquittal, and reporting for grant funding received from Aboriginal Affairs NSW in the previous two years
- Auspice organisations.
For more information, visit The Lowitja Institute.