Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led research for greater health and wellbeing outcomes
MEDIA RELEASE – 7 February 2022
Today, the Lowitja Institute opens the door for the second time to support innovative community-led research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and businesses continually support the health and wellbeing of our people and communities. Lowitja Institute’s Seeding Grants program provides an opportunity for organisations to transform their ideas by putting research back into community hands,” said Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed, CEO of the Lowitja Institute.
The Lowitja Institute Seeding Grants program is offering grants of up to $35,000 to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and businesses.
“Many Aboriginal-led organisations and businesses struggle to find resources to apply for or attract targeted research funding,” said Dr Mohamed. “These grants can build on their capacity to continue the great work they’re already doing to improve health outcomes for our peoples.”
The Seeding Grants will focus on supporting new research that aligns with the Lowitja Institute research agenda themes:
- Empowerment
- Sovereignty
- Connectedness
- Cultural safety and respectful systems in the health sector.
The 2022 Lowitja Institute Seeding Grants round encourages research projects relating to COVID-19 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research ethics, and that align with the above research agenda themes.
Lowitja Institute’s Research Program funds a broad range of seeding grant projects. Some of our past seeding grants that have progressed into major grants include research in aged care in the Torres Strait, early childhood services in New South Wales, youth homeless services in Queensland and health literacy in the Northern Territory.
“This program aims to increase opportunities and enhance research capabilities that reflect the priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Dr Mohamed. – Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed
For media queries and/or to arrange an interview with Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed, please contact Jo Cackett, Lowitja Institute, Communications, 0474 727506.
LOWITJA INSTITUTE SEEDING GRANTS PROGRAM
The seeding grants are the first step to express an interest in the Lowitja Institute grant funding round. Once seeding grants are complete, applicants will then be invited to apply for the second step of the Lowitja grant round, which is a major project. 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.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, 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. Applicants are encouraged to adopt new ways, for example, technology and online platforms to facilitate activities in support of their seeding grant application. We encourage applicants to have a COVID-19 management plan.
The Lowitja Institute team is available to answer your questions before you submit an application. Whether it’s a question about how to complete the application form or about your project idea, we’re here to help!
Appointments will be available from the week commencing Monday 14 February 2022 between 11am and 1pm Monday to Friday until the application closing date.
For more information, please contact research@lowitja.org.au
Applications close Monday 7 March 2022 11:59pm AEDT
