Research Grant Scheme

    Instructions to Applicants

    Please read these instructions carefully before completing the application form.

    Aims of the Scheme

    The ADSF Research Grant Scheme aims to facilitate research in factors that would prevent or reduce the impact of diving-related morbidity and mortality.

    Preference will be given to projects that:

    • can provide evidence to known gaps in scientific knowledge
    • identify causative factors for decompression illness (DCI) and appropriate countermeasures
    • enhance the treatment for DCI and reduce long term residua, both physically and psychologically
    • enhance the treatment for other diving-related disorders and reduce long term residua, both physically and psychologically
    • identify causative factors for diving mortality and appropriate countermeasures
    • promote diving safety and reduce suffering from diving-related disease

    Award Funding

    The Research Grant Scheme may provide up to $150,000 per year. This generally will be allocated as a variety of smaller grants, depending on the number and quality of applications.

    Funds may be used for costs related to the research project, including salary and small items of equipment necessary to complete the research. Cost estimates must be detailed and justified.

    Funds may not be used for:

    computers or software

    entertainment or publication costs

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applications will be accepted from experienced or novice investigators. Novice investigators may have a limited research track record and no formal research training (e.g. Masters, PhD). However, novice investigators must include an experienced investigator to supervise the project and to provide a letter of support for the planned research.

    Length of the grant

    The grants are generally tenable for two years. Awardees may request a time extension in writing, but no additional funding will be provided.

    Applications

    Application forms may be obtained from the Foundation website here.  Handwritten and incomplete applications will not be accepted.

    Application forms and letter of support (Novice Investigators) must be emailed as PDF files and named using the following convention: SURNAME_2018_Nameofdocument (e.g. SMITH_2018_Application).

    Ethical clearance

    Ethics approval certificates, if necessary to complete the project as outlined, must be received by the Foundation before funding will be released. If clearances are not received before within six months of the application, funding may be withdrawn.

    Progress and financial reporting

    Principal Investigators must provide annual progress reports to the Foundation at the anniversary of the payment of initial funding. Progress reports will include a financial acquittal of funds, progress to date, and expected timeline.

    Future applications will not be considered for investigators with outstanding reports. Grant funds must be returned to the ADSF if the project for which the grant was given does not proceed. 

    Acknowledgement

    The Australasian Diving Safety Foundation must be acknowledged in any presentations and publications arising from the research undertaken as a result of this funding.

    Application assessment

    A panel of Foundation Directors and invited subject experts will review the applications which will be assessed according to the selection criteria below.

    Selection Criteria

    • Relevance to aims of the Scheme
    • Scientific quality
    • Significance
    • Feasibility
    • Track record of team

    Feedback will not be provided for any applications. There is no appeal process. The Foundation reserves the right to award the research funding as it deems appropriate.

    Contact

    Queries and applications should be directed to johnl@adsf.org.au

    Download Application Form

    The Australasian Diving Safety Foundation Limited is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission ABN 60 623 963 744.