Dust Diseases Board Research Translation Grants - Expression of Interest

Funding is available for:

• Policy Development: Funds projects aimed at translating research findings into actionable government or organisational policy.
• Practice Implementation: Supports initiatives that apply research findings in clinical or community health settings to improve treatment and care practices.
• 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

• Evidence of Stakeholder Engagement: Proposals must include a plan for engagement with stakeholders (policy makers, healthcare providers) to facilitate the translation of research into practice.
• Clear Implementation Pathway: Applications should outline a clear pathway for how the research findings will be implemented, including potential barriers and strategies to overcome them.
• Impact Metrics: Projects must define clear metrics or indicators for measuring the impact of the translated research in practical settings. Policy Impact: The DDB seeks research that can directly influence health policy by providing clear, evidence-based recommendations that improve public health and worker safety. User-Centred Design: The DDB emphasises the importance of employing user-centred design principles to ensure interventions are tailored to the needs of those affected by dust diseases.
• Policy Collaboration: Applicants are expected to demonstrate active collaboration with policymakers or advocacy groups to ensure research findings are effectively translated into actionable policy changes.
• Sustainability Considerations: Projects should include considerations for the long-term sustainability of the proposed solutions or interventions.
• 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, such as professional membership fees, professional development courses, patent application and maintenance fees, entertainment expenses, insurance, and mobile phones.
   
• 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.