Submitting a project idea
Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of the Centre’s ongoing research plan. The next round of research investment opens 28 July 2025.
Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of the Centre’s ongoing research plan. The next round of research investment opens 28 July 2025.
Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of the Centre’s ongoing research plan. The next round of research investment opens 28 July 2025.
Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of Natural Hazards Research Australia’s ongoing research strategy.
The Centre’s next round of project concept submissions for research investment will open 28 July 2025.
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.
Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of the Centre’s ongoing research plan.
The Centre’s next round of project concept submissions for research investment opens 28 July 2025.
Key dates for the next round of funding are:
Date | Activity |
---|---|
28 July 2025 | Submissions open |
22 August 2025, 5:00pm AEST | Final date to seek Centre feedback on draft concepts |
5 September 2025, 5:00pm AEST | Submissions close |
The Centre reserves the right to make changes to these timeframes as processes evolve.
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.
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 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:
Ideas for research projects are initially submitted to the Centre as a short project concept. If a project concept has been approved for funding by the Centre’s Board, the Centre will work collaboratively with the submitting stakeholders to develop a more detailed project brief.
All project concepts must be submitted in the January 2025 or later concept form via email to research@naturalhazards.com.au by the end date indicated under key dates section.
All mandatory criteria must be satisfied prior to submission.
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.
Project concepts will be prioritised for inclusion in the Centre’s research program based on the extent the concept addresses the following research criteria:
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.
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):
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.
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.
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.
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.