MDI Seed Funding
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) runs an annual seed funding program to stimulate new collaborations between researchers from different disciplines and to build capacity across the campus in community engaged disability research.
Grants are aimed at small to medium sized projects at the discovery or pilot end of research.
To be successful, projects must address a topic of importance to people with disability, bring together researchers from different disciplines and must involve people with disability and/or their organisations in all aspects of the research process. We also look for projects that will have practical outcomes as well as a pathway to further research and funding.
We look for projects that are:
- are driven by the priorities of people with disability,
- have practical outcomes,
- are interdisciplinary*,
- involve strong partnerships with people with disability and/or their organisations, and
- have a pathway to further research and funding.
*Please note, “interdisciplinary” means the project team must consist of researchers from at least two different faculties.
Applicants must have a salaried academic position of at least 0.4FTE at the University of Melbourne. Project teams must be led by the applicant, but can include external partners, graduate students, honorary or casual researchers. Project funds will be transferred at the beginning of 2025 and must be spent in the 2025 calendar year.
Applicants may apply for up to $35,000 for projects that meet our criteria. Weighting will be given to projects with a focus on working with First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability, people with an intellectual disability and project teams led by early or mid-career researchers.
We encourage you to review the following guidelines and selection criteria closely and check your eligibility and timeline for applications.
Important Dates
We are holding information sessions on Teams or in person to answer questions or discuss research proposals. Applicants can discuss their ideas, get connected with other academics or organisations who are interested in the topic or receive clarification on the application process and selection.
- Thursday 19 September 2024
-
9:00 AM
Round opens
- Friday, Monday, Wednesday 4,7,9 October 2024
-
Check Calendly link for available timeslots
Drop-in/information sessions - Time slots are limited, reserve a session here: https://calendly.com/yam-c/2024-seed-funding-drop-in-sessions
- Wednesday 30 October 2024
-
5:00 PM
Applications due (round closes)
- Mid December TBD
-
Applicants informed of outcome with funds allocated in January 2025
Drop-In Sessions
Led by MDI's Program and Project Manager, Courtney Yam and Associate Professor Ilan Wiesel from the School of Geography, the sessions allow potential applicants to receive guidance on the seed funding requirements, guidelines and eligibility.
Read more about our selection criteria, the application process and apply
Please note applications will be accepted via Microsoft Forms. We tried to make the application process as simple and accessible as possible. If you find any part of the process difficult, please contact MDI’s Program and Projects Manager Courtney Yam at yam.c@unimelb.edu.au. We appreciate your feedback.
Download the information pack and access the application form using the links below.
Download the MDI Seed Funding Information Pack (pdf)