Natural Hazards Research Australia welcomes submissions of project ideas for potential inclusion in our research program. Ideas can be for short-, medium- or long-term projects. Only research that can be effectively translated and implemented by end-user organisations will be funded.
Any new research accepted will contribute to the Centre's ongoing research portfolio and will be guided by the rolling Biennial Research Plan. These plans are reviewed annually to make sure the Centre is responding to new knowledge needs.
Key dates
Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of the Centre’s ongoing research plan.
The following table outlines key dates for upcoming submissions:
| Submissions open | Submissions close | Submissions outcome |
|---|---|---|
| --- | 18 August 2023 (now closed) | by 31 December 2023 |
|
29 January 2024 |
8 March 2024 | by 30 June 2024 |
Who can submit
Research concepts must be submitted by representatives of one of the Centre’s Participants: organisations or entities (or representative thereof) that have been contracted through a Participant Agreement with the Centre. See the project concept form below for a list of Participant organisations.
The Centre encourages submitting Participants to build collaborations with other organisations across multiple states and territories to demonstrate the national significance of the concept.
Note: The Centre does not accept project concepts from research organisations.
If you are not a Participant of the Centre and would like to submit a concept, please contact the Centre via email at research@naturalhazards.com.au for advice.
Concepts that cover areas related to First Nations peoples, cultures and knowledges must demonstrate partnership and endorsement from relevant First Nations representatives, organisations and/or community members.
Making a submission
Projects are submitted initially as a concept before a fully developed project brief is prepared, using the Centre's project concept form. This allows the Centre to work collaboratively with the stakeholders to develop and agree on the final concept before a more detailed project brief is developed.
Please note that an updated project concept form (dated January 2024) will be available to download by the submission open date. All Participant representatives submitting concepts for future funding must use the updated January 2024 form. Concepts submitted using previous versions, dated June 2023, will be required to resubmit using the new January 2024 form before consideration.
Project concepts must address the following:
- Background and problem definition
- Aims and expected outcomes
- How research outcomes will be implemented
- Communication to beneficiaries and users
- Other supporting information
Project concepts must be submitted on the project form via email to research@naturalhazards.com.au. It is expected that a senior executive (CEO, Commissioner, Chief Officer, Executive Director etc) of the submitting Participant organisation will endorse the concept, and the intention to utilise research from the project by signing this concept form.
Online briefing
An online briefing for stakeholders wishing to submit project concepts to the Centre will be held 1pm AEDT Monday 12 February 2024. Register here.
Prioritising projects
Project concepts will be prioritised for inclusion in the Centre’s research program based on the considerations listed below:
Project-level considerations
- Alignment of the project with the Centre's current Biennial Research Plan.
- Whether the project addresses a gap in knowledge and has clear research questions that can be addressed through an academic research project.
- Potential benefits and outcomes of the project are clear and well-demonstrated.
- More than one stakeholder organisation will benefit from the outcomes of the project.
- There is strong, demonstrated stakeholder support for the project's translation and implementation within end-user organisations.
Program-level considerations
- The project's alignment of the Centre’s overall research program. This includes consideration of the Centre's research priorities (specified in the current Biennial Research Plan), location of research across Australian states and territories, types of natural hazards addressed, and the spread of tactical (less than one year), applied (one to three years) and strategic projects (three to five years).
- The project's relevance to recent natural hazard events, and findings and recommendations arising from related inquiries.
- Jurisdictional and sector needs and priorities.
Please note that concept submissions received from a single organisation are unlikely to be prioritised for funding. Concepts should include one or both of a: a) named supporting stakeholders or b) letters from additional organisations outlining a commitment to research translation and implementation.
High priority research areas (January 2024)
For the concept submission round opening on 29 January 2024, the following areas have been identified as high priority research areas (see more information in the current Biennial Research Plan):
- Understanding and mitigating risk of earthquake, cyclone and severe storm (inclusive of associated hazards)
- Social equity
Project concepts that align with these high priority research areas are especially encouraged.
Prioritisation process
Projects are prioritised in a four-step process:
- Step one - review: A panel of Centre representatives will review submitted project concepts taking the above considerations into account.
- Step two - consult: The panel will consult with the supporting stakeholders regarding the concept's alignment with the considerations listed above. Project concepts may then be revised.
- Step three - prioritise: The panel will prioritise project concepts and present a recommendation for project funding to the Centre’s Research and Implementation Committee for endorsement.
- Step four – approve: Endorsed project concepts are presented to the Centre’s Board for funding approval.
If the concept is funded and proceeds to the project stage, the Centre’s preference is for an open expression of interest (EOI) in line with the Centre’s Procurement Policy to contract an appropriate research provider. The Centre may use information provided in the concept submission form to develop EOIs. As such, submitting agencies must carefully consider any intellectual property that needs to be included in the project concept submission form. The Centre may disclose information on this form to its advisors and subject matter experts.
Contact
For more information or assistance with developing a project concept, please contact research@naturalhazards.com.au or the Node Research Manager for your state or territory (see www.naturalhazards.com.au/contact-us).