Submitting a project idea

Research project concepts for funding consideration are now open until 5:00pm (AEDT), 6 March 2026.

Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of Natural Hazards Research Australia’s ongoing research strategy.

The Centre welcomes submissions of project ideas for potential inclusion in our research program. Ideas can be for short-, medium- or long-term projects that can be effectively used.

Any new research accepted will contribute to the Centre's ongoing research portfolio and will be guided by its rolling Biennial Research Plan. 

Who can submit

Project concepts must be submitted by representatives of a formal Centre Participant: organisations or entities contracted through a Participant Agreement with the Centre. Refer to the project concept form in the top-right corner for a list of Participant organisations.

The Centre encourages submitting Participants to build collaborations with other organisations within the sector across multiple states and territories to demonstrate the national significance of the concept.

Note: The Centre does not accept project concepts from research organisations.

Non-participants

Organisations not currently a formal Centre Participant can enquire about the Centre’s commissioned research program or about how to become a Participant via research@naturalhazards.com.au

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.  

Submissions

Submissions that fail to meet one or partially meet any of the mandatory criteria may be excluded from consideration by the Centre.

The Centre may in its absolute discretion seek further information or contact key stakeholders of a concept during the prioritisation process.

Mandatory criteria for concept submission 

The mandatory criteria are:

1. Applicant must be a Participant organisation of the Centre.
2. Submissions must be made using the Centre’s January 2025 or later concept form found in the top-right corner of this page.
3. A Chief Executive, Commissioner or senior delegate of the submitting Participant Organisation must endorse the concept and confirm their organisation’s intention to utilise research arising from the project by signing this concept form. If the January 2025 form is used, an updated email confirmation from the Chief Executive, Commissioner or senior delegate will be required for the endorsement of this concept.

Making a concept submission

Ideas for research projects are initially submitted to the Centre as a short project concept in the available concept submission form. Once a project concept is approved for funding, the Centre will work collaboratively with the submitting stakeholders to develop a more detailed project brief. 

For consideration, all project concepts must use the current concept submission form or previous January 2025 form emailed to research@naturalhazards.com.au by 5:00pm (AEDT) 6 March 2026.  

Key dates 

The Centre considers project concepts for funding twice a year as part of the Centre’s biannual research investment round.   

Key dates for the current submission round are: 

15 December 2025	Submissions open
20 February 2026, 5:00pm AEDT	Final date to seek Centre feedback on draft concepts by
06 March 2026, 5:00pm AEDT	Submissions close
May 2026	Submitting organisations notified of outcome

The Centre reserves the right to make changes to these timeframes as processes evolve.  

A further concept submission round will take place in the third quarter of 2026, opening in July 2026.  

Online briefing

A recording of an online stakeholder briefing covering the submission process, assessment prioritisation and high-priority research areas and frequently asked questions can be found below.

Any dates mentioned in this briefing should be disregarded.

Prioritising projects

Project concepts will be prioritised for inclusion in the Centre’s research program based on the extent the concept addresses the following research criteria:

1. identifies a clear critical research need, or gap in knowledge and/or practice (20%)
2. supports the directions outlined in the Centre’s Biennial Research Plan 2025-27 (20%)
3. fits within the Centre’s overall research program, can be managed within the Centre’s resources and provides value across the Centre’s Participants (20%)
4. is likely to result in utilised outputs that enhance safety, resilience or sustainability of communities in the context of natural hazards (20%)
5. has relevance to multiple jurisdictions and/or sectors (20%).

Concepts should include either or both of the following:

a) named supporting stakeholders; or

b) letters of support from additional organisations outlining a commitment to research translation and implementation.

High priority research areas (December 2025)

For this current concept submission round the following areas are identified as high priority research areas (see more information in the Biennial Research Plan 2025-27): 

• Understanding and mitigating risk of flood, earthquake, heatwave, coastal inundation, tsunami, cyclone and severe storm (inclusive of associated hazards)  

• Social equity, including vulnerabilities that impede people and communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural hazards  

• Environmental solutions including an understanding of how we can improve environmental resilience and the efficacy of environmental solutions to reduce natural hazard risk 

• Land use planning and urban design, including building materials, as critical future natural hazard risk reduction activities  

• Resilient Recovery 

• First Nations knowledge 

• Future workforce 

Project concepts that align with these high priority research areas are especially encouraged. However, all project concepts will be considered regardless of whether they address a high-priority research area. 

Prioritisation process

Project concepts are developed and then prioritised in a three-step process:

Step 1: Concept development - Submitting Participants are encouraged to consult with their relevant Centre’s Node Research Manager for the development of their project concept. Please note, if draft concept feedback is required, please contact the relevant Node Research Manager prior to the date and time listed in the key dates section of this page.

Step 2: Prioritisation - A panel of Centre representatives will review project concepts against the prioritisation criteria and recommend concept proposals for funding. The panel may seek clarifications from secondary and supporting stakeholders during this step. 

Step 3: Approval - Project concepts recommended for funding will be presented to the Centre’s Research and Implementation Committee for endorsement prior to seeking Board approval for funding.

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

Once concepts are approved for funding and proceed to the project development stage, the Centre will select a research provider to deliver the research project through an independent assessment process.  

The appointment of a research provider will be at the Centre’s sole discretion considering the assessment requirements and legal and/or policy obligations the Centre may have.

The Centre may use and share information provided in the concept submission with third parties (potential research providers/advisors and subject matter experts). Submitting organisations must carefully consider any confidentiality obligations and/or intellectual property ownership or interests or access and use of third party databases in the concept submission and consent to the Centre’s use of this information.  

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.