Latest news, research and events from the Melbourne Disability Institute at the University of Melbourne

Community-Based Research Program
Now accepting applications!

Do you run a great program or service that is making a difference in the lives of people with disability and/or their families? Are you looking to show just how effective it is or what great outcomes you are achieving?

At Melbourne Disability Institute we run a program that might just be able to help.

We know that getting evidence of good outcomes and demonstrating impact is something community based organisations want - but sometimes the budget just doesn’t stretch that far.

The Melbourne Disability Institute’s Community-Based Research Program meets the research needs of community organisations by providing research support and evaluation for strength-based and innovative programs that are making a difference in the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.

We are inviting applications from organisations who are running programs that are building the capacity of people with disability, their family or carers, to live engaged, self-directed and fulfilling lives. 

To be eligible for the MDI Community-Based Research Scheme your organisation must:

• Provide support or services to people with a disability, their family or carers.
• Be of small to medium size (less than 200 employees)
• Have limited capacity to conduct research
• Can be based anywhere in Australia. Please note however the work needs to be able to be completed from Melbourne. Interstate travel is not funded.
• Include a statement how people with a disability, their family or carers are involved in your organisation, and how they will be involved in the research project.

It is essential that people with disability (and families where appropriate) are involved in the research process, including the project proposal. Applications that do not demonstrate how this will be achieved will not be successful. 

This year we are funding up to five projects with approximately $15,000 for each research project. Additional funds for project and publication costs are also available. 

Applications close Wednesday, 20 April 2022. If you have any questions about the program or the application process, please contact Campbell Message, Program Manager at Campbell.message@unimelb.edu.au.

Find out about opportunities and events that are happening in the community below. Interested in promoting your event, sharing a job posting, research opportunity or another item of interest? Send the details through to Sara.Donaldson@unimelb.edu.au.