MDI Seed Funding

Melbourne Disability Institute - 2023 Seed Funding Round

Please note: the seed funding round for 2023 is now closed.

The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) is focused on building the evidence base to address the complex problems and systemic barriers facing people with disability in this country. MDI works to bring together people with disability, families, and representative organisations with researchers to co-produce research to improve social and economic outcomes, inclusion and well-being of people with disability. Our focus is on research that has real world impact, transforming disability policy, programs and practice.

Each year we run a seed funding round open to researchers from across the University of Melbourne. Applicants must have a salaried academic position of at least 0.4FTE at the university.  Project teams must be led by the applicant, but may include external partners, graduate students, casual researchers and Honorary researchers. The aim of Interdisciplinary Seed Funding is to support research collaboration activities across multiple disciplines and faculties that will benefit from short-term seed-funding.

The funding is aimed at small to medium sized projects at the discovery or pilot end of research. We are looking for interdisciplinary projects that are driven by the priorities of people with disability, likely to have practical outcomes, involve strong partnerships and have a pathway to further research and funding.

We provide up to $30,000 to projects that meet these criteria. Funding above this amount will be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Our focus in 2023 is on funding and facilitating projects that are driven by and with people with disability and their families. This means that projects must address a topic of importance to people with disability and their families, and demonstrate how people with disability and/or their families will be involved in every aspect of the research. This includes co-designing research questions and building research teams which include people with disability and/or their representative organisations.

We look for Projects that are:

  • driven by the priorities of people with disability,
  • have practical outcomes,
  • involve strong partnerships,
  • have a pathway to further research and funding.

Priority will be given to projects with a focus on working with Indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability, or people with an intellectual disability.

Important Dates

In 2023, the Seed Funding round was open for six weeks. We held a small number of drop-in sessions on Zoom to answer questions or discuss research proposals. The MDI team helped facilitate relevant introductions, make suggestions or help with brainstorming.

Monday 12 June 2023
9:00 am

Round Opened

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 3, 5, 6 July 2023
2-4:00 PM(M) 1-3:00 PM (W) 11-1:00 PM (TH)

Please note: Drop-In Sessions are now closed.

Friday 21 July 2023
5:00 pm

Applications due

Late August / Early September TBD

Applicants informed of outcome with funds allocated shortly after.

Drop-In Sessions

Please note: Drop-In Sessions are now closed.

In 2023, we ran drop-in sessions , led by MDI's Kirsten Deane and Courtney Yam and Associate Professor Sue Olney from the School of Social and Political Sciences.

The sessions allow potential applicants to receive guidance on the seed funding requirements, guidelines and eligibility, and seek answers to any questions specific to a project before submitting an application. The MDI team can also help make relevant introductions which would help the project.

Further information

Download the information pack and application form using the links below.

Download the MDI Seed Funding Information Pack