Dust Diseases Board Discovery and Innovation Grants - Expression of Interest FY27

Funding is available for:

• Basic and Translational Research: Aimed at building foundational knowledge and transitioning laboratory research to patient care.
• Innovative Studies: Designed to foster pioneering research that proposes new theories, extends existing discoveries, or applies novel methodologies and technologies.
• High-Risk High-Reward Projects: Supports projects with the potential to revolutionise the field through groundbreaking findings.
• Epidemiological Research: Funds studies that analyse the patterns, causes, and impacts of dust diseases within populations, providing vital data to inform public health strategies and preventive measures.

Requirements include:

• Innovative Approach: Applicants must demonstrate a clear break from traditional research methods, proposing novel hypotheses or employing emerging technologies.
• Potential for Scalability: Projects should show potential for scalability or further development beyond the initial research phase.
• Interdisciplinary Teams Encouraged: Proposals from interdisciplinary teams that combine expertise from different scientific backgrounds are highly encouraged, fostering holistic and innovative research outputs.
• Sustainability Focus: The Dust Diseases Board (DDB) encourages applicants to develop solutions with effective long-term sustainability. The durability of innovations is paramount.
• Technology Integration: The DDB strongly advocates for the integration of advanced technology to enhance the efficacy and speed of research.
• Diversity and Inclusion: DDB encourages proposals that consider the diversity of affected populations, ensuring that research and interventions are inclusive and applicable to a wide range of demographics affected by dust diseases.  
• Open Access: The DDB encourages, and may require, that all outputs of research be made available through open access channels, ensuring that findings are accessible to the wider research community and public. 

Grant funds from the DDB cannot be allocated to the following items:

• Indirect Expenses
  Costs not directly tied to the project (see guidelines).
• Salaries for CIs and PIs
  • Salaries or on-costs for CIs or PIs, whether partially or fully funded.
  • Stipends for CIs or PIs pursuing Higher Degree by Research (HDR).
• Consultancy Services
  Fees for contracted research or consultancy services where external expertise is sought for tasks that involve minimal innovation or low risk.
• Non-Research Production Items
  Creation of computer programs, research aids, data warehouses, catalogues, bibliographies, or teaching materials unless they qualify as ‘research’.
• Basic Facilities
  Items and facilities expected to be provided and funded by the Administering Organisation/Institution, including:
  • bench fees or laboratory access fees
  • basic library access
  • work accommodation (laboratory and office space)
  • basic computer facilities (desktops, laptops, printers, standard software)
  • standard reference materials or abstracting services.
• Capital works and infrastructure 
  Capital works and general infrastructure costs.
• Educational Fees and Liabilities
  Costs associated with international student fees or liabilities related to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) for students are not permissible expenditures.
• Additional Non-Eligible Costs
  • Administrative Overheads: General office supplies, rent, and utility bills.
  • Personal Expenses: Any personal costs incurred by Specified Personnel.
  • Entertainment Expenses: Costs related to entertainment or hospitality.
  • Non-Essential Travel: Travel expenses not critical to the project’s success.
  • Office Equipment: Purchases of office furniture and non-specialised equipment not directly related to the research project.
  • Unapproved Equipment: Equipment not directly related to the project’s objectives.

You can download the full guidelines (PDF 1.57MB). 

The eligibility criteria apply to both EOIs and full applications.

The Administering Organisation/Institution is responsible for ensuring that all applicants listed in the Specified Personnel Details section of the application form meet the eligibility criteria.

These criteria ensure that all applications meet the necessary standards and that the Specified Personnel involved in the project are suitably qualified and prepared to fulfil their roles.

It is important to review these requirements carefully to ensure compliance and eligibility for funding consideration.

There are various eligibility criteria including those that apply specifically to the roles of CIs and PIs.

Please refer to the Dust Diseases Board Research Stream Grants Program Guidelines and Submission Protocols FY27 (PDF 1.57MB).