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Road Safety Research Grant Program

Background

The department coordinates the Australian Government's non-regulatory safety activities in air, sea, rail and road transport.

The department is involved in road safety research and statistical analysis, coordination of the National Road Safety Strategy and Action Plans and publication of road fatality statistics.

The Road Safety Research Grants Program is a competitive scheme that operates annually and provides funding for one-off projects proposed by researchers. It aims to encourage researchers from a range of scientific disciplines to consider the road safety field.

In 2008, several grants to a maximum individual value of $30,000 will be available for original road safety research projects. Successful applicants would be expected to commence their projects as soon as practicable and to deliver a final report within 12 months.

Objectives of the program

These grants are offered as a means to

  • promote innovative and worthwhile research into road safety and
  • increase the pool of effective road safety researchers by encouraging established scientists, recent graduates and commercial or community-based organisations to undertake research in the road safety field.

The program is designed to support research that will contribute to the pool of road safety knowledge. It is not set up to fund the implementation of road safety campaigns or the development of specific road safety products. However, applications for research that aims to evaluate the effects of a road safety campaign or other type of road safety measure may be eligible.

Road safety research is a thriving field. Applicants are encouraged to consider other relevant research when developing their proposals and to indicate how their application may advance existing knowledge.

Eligibility criteria

There is no single eligibility criterion for these grants. Applications are invited from Australasian academic research institutions and commercial or community-based organisations. While applications from established researchers in road safety are welcome, the objective of increasing the number of new researchers in the field will be a factor when selecting projects. Collaboration between established road safety researchers and researchers, organisations or individuals who are new to the field is one way of meeting this objective.

Research topics

The research can relate to any aspect of road safety but must address a demonstrated need for new knowledge. While research topics are not specified, proposals may focus on one or more of the following broad objectives.

  • better understanding of the factors involved in road crashes
  • development of improved road safety countermeasures
  • identification of best practice in road safety
  • development of evidence-based material for public education activities
  • scientific evaluation of existing road safety measures/programs
  • development of improved road safety research techniques.

Applicants wishing to familiarise themselves with the current road safety priorities and challenges in Australia are encouraged to consider the National Road Safety Action Plan for 2007 and 2008: http://www.atcouncil.gov.au/documents/nrss_actionplan_0708.aspx

Project selection criteria

Each application will be assessed by an evaluation panel comprising departmental officers. The evaluation panel may obtain expert advice from outside the department and may contact applicant referees for additional information.

All proposals will be assessed against the following criteria.

  • scientific merit:
    • clear objectives and focus
    • addresses a demonstrated research need (supported by a review of related research)
    • sound research design and analytical methods
    • innovativeness.
  • potential benefit to road safety in Australia:
    • addresses a demonstrated road safety need or seeks to assess the extent of an identified road safety problem
    • contributes to the development of effective countermeasures
    • applicability is not limited to a single state, city or narrow set of circumstances.
  • cost:
    • maximum cost of $30,000 (including GST)
    • value for money.
  • project autonomy:
    • funding of the research must not commit the ATSB to another project
    • the project has the scope to deliver meaningful results without the need for subsequent research
    • the project will be completed within the agreed time-frame and budget
    • the project does not duplicate work funded by the ATSB or being undertaken elsewhere in Australasia.
  • capabilities and professional standing of the applicant and chief investigator:
    • demonstrated ability to manage the project effectively
    • appropriate academic/professional qualifications and demonstrated research experience.

Reporting requirements

The project must have a maximum duration of 12 months. A draft final report is to be submitted to the department within 11 months of the commencement of the grant. Applicants are required to submit a realistic project schedule with their applications.

Applicants should note that the draft final report will be considered by the department and returned with comments as soon as possible.

A brief report summarising progress is also required mid-way through the project, or at a time agreed with the department.

Research reports are to be prepared to a standard suitable for publication in a reputable scientific journal. Report writing must be clear, concise, non-repetitive, accurate and able to withstand technical scrutiny. Grant recipients will be responsible for applying appropriate editorial and quality control before the draft final report is delivered to the department.

The department reserves the right to publish and disseminate grant reports, and to make them available for download from the departments website (www.infrastructure.gov.au ). An electronic report template will be supplied to grant recipients at the commencement of the project so that reports can be prepared and delivered in the departments standard format.

Grant conditions

Applicants should ensure they understand the conditions under which funding is provided and be aware that grants may be terminated if any conditions are breached. The awarding of a grant will not be confirmed until a funding agreement between the department and the recipient organisation has been fully executed. A draft funding agreement incorporating standard Commonwealth terms and conditions is included in the application package. Given the strict timing requirements for project completion, applicants or their organisations should contact the department with any concerns or questions about the funding agreement before submitting a grant application.

The following should be noted:

  • specified deadlines for reports are grant conditions
  • there are specific requirements for insurance cover, indemnity, intellectual property and the management of grant moneys
  • the department must be advised in advance of any proposed variations to the study
  • public release of findings during the project requires prior approval by the department
  • the grant agreement vests intellectual property rights in the researcher or research organisation but grants a licence to the Commonwealth to use the research
  • health-related research involving human subjects will require approval from an established ethics committee.  It is not necessary to obtain ethics approval prior to submitting an application.  However if your application is successful and the research requires it, ethics approval will need to be obtained before the research commences.

Application process

Submissions must be made on the official application form and submitted electronically to roadsafety@infrastructure.gov.au.  Applicants are advised to build a robust case in relation to the selection criteria, using hard data, research evidence and/or expert opinion to support their proposals. Please ensure that your application contains all relevant information including:

  • the curriculum vitae of the Chief Investigator
  • a clear road safety rationale for the proposed research
  • the research plan: research design, methods and tools of observation and measurement, sampling and data analysis methods, and the expected scope of the final report
  • a thorough costing of the project including component charges such as labour, travel, administrative costs, laboratory supplies and charges for use of equipment, and specifying core and optional components.

The application period closes at 5.00 pm on Friday, 14 March 2008.

All applications will be rigorously assessed by an evaluation panel and the selection process is expected to be completed by May 2008. The department will inform applicants in writing of the outcome. Unsuccessful applicants may request a debriefing.

Download application package

Application form 2008 [word docWord Doc 76 kB]

Draft funding agreement [word doc Word Doc 92 kB]

Guidelines for presentation of research reports [word doc Word Doc 48 kB]


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Last Updated: 13 June, 2008