Submitting a project idea

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

The Centre’s current round of project concept submissions for research investment opens on 20 January 2025 and will close 5:00pm AEDT, 28 February 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 the rolling Biennial Research Plan. 

Key dates 

Project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year, as a part of the Centre’s ongoing research plan.

The current round of research investments is now open.

The following table outlines key dates for the next round:

Date	Activity
20 January 2025	Submissions open
14 February 2025	Final date to seek Centre feedback on draft concepts
28 February 2025, 5:00pm AEDT	Submissions close
May 2025	Submitting organisations notified of outcome

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

Who can submit

Research concepts must be submitted by representatives of one of the Centre’s Participants: organisations or entities that have been 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 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

For organisations that are not a Participant, please contact the Centre about the Centre’s commissioned research program, or about how to become a Participant via email at 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 concept form 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.

Making a concept submission

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 concept form via email to research@naturalhazards.com.au by the end date indicated under key dates section. Concepts previously submitted to the Centre must also use the January 2025 form.

All mandatory criteria must be satisfied prior to submission.

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 2024-26 (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 one or both: a) named supporting stakeholders or b) letters of support from additional organisations outlining a commitment to research translation and implementation.

High priority research areas (January 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 2024-26): 

• 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 and
• Future workforce

Project concepts that align with these high priority research areas are especially encouraged. 

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

If your concept is approved for funding and proceeds to the project development stage, the Centre will select a research provider through an independent assessment process.  

The appointment of a research provider for a successful concept/project 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 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.