Family Violence Research Grants Program: Phase 2 Guidelines

How to use this document

This document is a guide for prospective applicants seeking funding under Phase 2 of the Family Violence Research Program 2021-24 (Research Program). These guidelines include information on:

• eligibility
• funding principles, parameters and agreements
• the selection process and assessment criteria
• completing the online application form
• research subject areas and priority research topics
• Frequently asked questions for prospective applicants (FAQs)

The FAQs will be updated throughout the application period to ensure all prospective applicants have access to the same information.

Request for grant applications

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (the Department), through its division Family Safety Victoria (FSV) invites applicants from across Australia to apply for research grants under Phase 2 of the Research Program.

Phase 2 provides a pool of $1.2 million to fund high-quality research to develop and augment the evidence base to support family violence reform in Victoria.

Except for the ‘system lens’ research topic, research grants will be offered in one funding range with project funding up to $150,000 (exclusive of GST) and a project duration a maximum of 1.5 years. The ‘system lens’ research grant will have a maximum budget of $300,000 (exclusive of GST) and a project duration of 1.5 years. Grant recipients must enter into a funding agreement with the Department.

Applicants must submit their application online using the Department’s grants gateway. 

Applications can be submitted by not-for-profit entities, Australian universities, and research centres.

Applications open on Monday, 6 March 2023 and close at 3.00 pm AEST on Monday, 3 April 2023.

Disclaimer

Please note: The information contained in this publication is provided for general guidance only, and on the basis that all persons accessing the information undertake responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. The Department makes no representations, either expressed or implied, as to the suitability or accuracy of the information for a particular purpose, and do not accept any liability whatsoever for any error, loss, damage, cost, expense, or any other consequence that may arise from your reliance on this publication.

Privacy statement

The Department is committed to protecting your privacy.

We collect and handle any information that you have provided in your application, for the purpose of administering your grant application and informing the public of successful applications.

For us to administer your grant application effectively and efficiently, we may need to disclose this information with others for the purpose of assessment, consultation, and reporting. This may include Departmental staff, Members of Parliament and their staff, external experts, such as members of assessment panels, or other government departments.

If you intend to include personal information about third parties in your application, please ensure that they are aware of the contents of this privacy statement. Any personal information about you or a third party in your application will be collected, retained, managed, used, disclosed, or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic), the Public Records Act 1973 (Vic) and other applicable laws.

For more information, please refer to the Department’s privacy policy.

If you have any questions about the Department’s privacy statement or wish to make a complaint about the way we have collected, used, retained or disclosed your personal information, or the personal information of a third party whose information you disclosed, please contact us at privacy@dffh.vic.gov.au. You can also request access to your personal information, or request that your information be corrected at any time.

Background

The whole of Victorian Government Family Violence Research Agenda 2021–2024 (Research Agenda) and the Research Program are commitments of the Family Violence Reform Rolling Action Plan 2020–2023 (RAP) to develop a robust evidence base to support family violence reform.

The Research Agenda

The Victorian Family Violence Research Agenda 2021-2024 articulates the Victorian Government’s research priorities and provides a focus point for research commissioned by government and initiated by universities, the sector or industry partners. The Research Agenda was developed through consultation across the Victorian Government and builds on the significant engagement undertaken for the RAP.

It also draws from key reviews and recommendations, including from the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor, engagement with representatives from sector peak bodies and sector-based organisations, and government’s ongoing discussions with key stakeholders on reform implementation.

The development of the Research Agenda included the identification of seven priority subject areas for the Research Program. These are:

1. Primary prevention of family violence and violence against women (note: out of scope for the Research Program¹)
2. Children and young people as victim survivors in their own right
3. Family violence as experienced by Aboriginal people and communities
4. Family violence as experienced by people from diverse communities
5. Sexual violence and harm
6. Adolescent family violence
7. Perpetrators and people who use violence.

The Research Program

The Research Program is the Department’s plan to deliver on its research priorities under the Research Agenda, in partnership with the sector and universities. It includes a competitive, open, merit-based research grants program delivered in two phases.

Both phases of the Research Program focus on producing research outputs that can have a practical, positive impact on Victorian policy and practice in preventing family violence and sexual violence and harm. This includes understanding the:

• prevalence, nature and impacts of various forms of family violence, sexual violence and harm
• needs of specific priority cohorts
• effectiveness and value of current interventions, services and supports
• barriers to programmatic and policy success and responding to them.

Family Violence Research Grants Program: Phase 1

In August 2022, the 13 successful projects under Phase 1 of the Research Program were confirmed. These projects address identified gaps in the evidence and help build an evidence base that supports best practice family violence and sexual assault interventions, service delivery and innovation. This will assist to achieve better outcomes for victim survivors and communities.

The successful projects will run for between one and two years. Four of the projects are led by sector organisations and nine by universities.

Funding for Phase 1 research grants totalled $2.5 million.

Family Violence Research Grants Program: Phase 2

Six priority research topics, related to the subject areas of the Research Agenda, are to be funded in Phase 2 (detailed in Section 3: Research priorities). These topics were identified through extensive consultation with Sector partners and Government agencies and build upon research priorities identified through the development of the Research Agenda and Phase 1 of the Research Program.

Proposals for funding in Phase 2 must address one of these priority research topics.

In line with the scope and approach of the Victorian family violence reform, there is an expectation that all research delivered under the Research Program will apply or be underpinned by core principles of the Research Agenda. This includes consideration of the role of Aboriginal self-determination, gender inequality, intersectionality, lived experience and application of a system lens that recognises the cross-system and multi-agency nature of Victorian reforms.

In Phase 2, the Embedding Lived Experience in Research: Guiding Elements to support a partnership model (the lived experience guiding elements) are being piloted. These elements are detailed in Section 1: Project rules and requirements. Use of the lived experience guiding elements will enable shared decision-making, leadership, and influence of people with lived experience working in partnership with researchers. Prospective applicants must demonstrate their proposed approach to implementing the lived experience guiding elements in their projects.

Grants will be awarded based on merit, in line with the assessment criteria detailed in Section 2: Submission and selection process.

Footnote

1. The Department and Respect Victoria are developing and leading projects that will address key research priorities for the prevention of family violence and sexual violence and harm in Victoria. As such, primary prevention is out of scope for Phase 2 of the Research Program.

Eligibility

The Department is not able to enter into a funding agreement with individuals. Sole traders are ineligible to apply. All grants from the Department must be awarded to a legal entity.

Applicants must be an eligible Australian-based organisation.

Eligible applicants

Only Australian-based organisations are eligible for the research grants. This includes not-for-profit entities, Australian universities, or research centres.

Applicants must be:

• be an organisation incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or equivalent state legislation, OR
• be a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and registered as not-for-profit through the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission.

A not-for-profit entity must show the organisation is registered:

• with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
• with Consumer Affairs Victoria as an incorporated association, or
• under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic).

Please note, Independent Statutory Bodies are out of scope for Phase 2 of the Research Program.

Applicants will need to have:

• a current Australian Business Number
• no overdue reports with the Department.

Eligible types of research

Grant applicants are encouraged to apply for Phase 2 of the Research Program regardless of whether their research project is to be funded exclusively by this process or will draw funding from a range of sources (such as Australian Research Council grants or philanthropic donations).

All the following types of research are eligible:

• systematic literature and evidence reviews
• secondary reviews and analysis using existing data
• research projects involving any form of primary research
• research projects using active participant methodologies
• research projects using quantitative methods
• research using a mixed methods approach.

All grant applicants will need to:

• conduct any research involving people affected by family violence or sexual assault solely with Victorian populations
• ensure that the project has a primary focus on producing outputs that have a practical, positive impact on improving outcomes in Victorian family violence, and sexual violence and harm, policy and practice
• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Victorian family violence reform, its attached social context, and the Victorian family violence sector or Victorian sexual violence reform and sexual assault services
• adhere to ethical research practices and approaches
• demonstrate appropriate research and practice expertise and collaboration
• embed lived experience and implement the lived experience guiding elements (see Embedding lived experience).

Ineligible types of research

The following research is not eligible for grants:

• stand-alone evaluations of existing or planned programs
• research focused on the area of primary prevention
• research with individuals or populations outside Victoria
• analysis of data collected from individuals or populations outside Victoria.

Ethical research practices and risks

The lead organisation must have policies and processes in place that ensure adherence to the current Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. A copy of this code can be downloaded from the NMHRC website’s Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 page

Where applicable, research teams must adhere to the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research to ensure that research with and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples follows a process of meaningful engagement and reciprocity between the researcher and the individuals and/or communities involved in the research. A copy of this code can be downloaded from the AIATSIS website's Ethical Research page.

All research projects funded under Phase 2 must receive ethical clearance from an Australian recognised Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for approval if working with human participants. In some cases, ethical approval may also be required to access data or other written information, such as unit records, particularly where there is risk of reidentification. We encourage applicants to utilise university HREC’s to avoid costly private fees. We will fund the cost of ethics approval where this is a fit-for-purpose amount, identified and justified in the application’s budget. More information is on NHMRC’s Human research ethics committees page.

Applicants will be asked to indicate in their funding application where they believe their research may entail ethical risks. Where such risks exist, applicants must explain how they will be mitigated, especially where there are risks to privacy or to social groups that face particular forms of discrimination or disadvantage.

In addition to any conflict of interest or ethical concerns, applicants will be asked to identify any further risks which may impact on the progress or success of the research. An associated risk mitigation strategy must be briefly detailed in the application.

Insurance

Successful applicants will need to hold appropriate insurance coverage for grant activities and provide evidence of this in their application. For more information about public and product liability cover for community and non-profit organisations:

• see the Victorian Government’s Victorian Common Funding Agreement web page

Deliverables

Successful applicants must provide the following project deliverables.

Progress reports

To give evidence of the rigour of the study and help identify any emerging issues, these reports are to be completed using a proforma provided by the Department.

Progress reports will provide information on:

• the progress of activities to date
• methodological issues and their resolution
• engagement with partners and other groups (such as Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus)
• if applicable, the approach to the literature review
• updates on ethical issues (e.g., a copy of the letter advising that ethical approval has been granted by a HREC after that occurs)
• any changes to the research plan or methodology
• ways in which the lived experience guiding elements have been embedded in the research
• any risks to the completion of the project and the tactics to mitigate the risks
• progress on the proposed knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) strategy and proposed deliverable.

Final research report

A plain English report based on guidance provided by FSV (for publication).

Knowledge translation deliverable

Applicants will be asked to advise on their preferred KTE deliverable in the application form and will seek to negotiate these with the successful applicants. These could include toolkits, guidelines, interactive reports, webinars, mini symposium, toolkits and policy presentations.

Lived experience report

A short, plain English reflections piece in any format to give the Department insight into the piloting of the lived experience guiding elements and to be utilised in evaluating them.

The format could be in the form of a written report, video, or website page, for example.

This deliverable must be completed by research teams in a co-design process with people involved in the project with lived experience or led by those with lived experience who have been involved in the project.

Successful applicants will be required to attend a sequence of progress meetings with Departmental representatives throughout the project’s lifecycle. All deliverables and project milestones will be clarified in greater detail when contracts for successful projects are negotiated.

Contracting

Victorian Common Funding Agreement

Once the Minister or delegate has approved the funding recommendations, the Department will prepare the Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) for each project.

The VCFA establishes the parties, their obligations to each other (including the purpose of the funding and reporting requirements) and sets out the general terms and conditions of the funding.

A copy of the VCFA is available on the Victorian Government’s Victorian Common Funding Agreement forms and templates web page.

The VCFA must be executed by an organisation prior to the funding being paid. The VCFA (including the Schedule and Standard Form Terms and Conditions), will be sent electronically to successful applicants to review and sign. If you have any questions in relation to this process, please feel free to contact us by sending an email to research.evidence@familysafety.vic.gov.au.

Upon the expiry or termination of the VCFA, the Department may request by notice in writing, the return of any unspent and/or uncommitted funding from the organisation.

Successful applicants will have their project details (including organisation name, project title and grant funding provided) published on the Department’s Grants web page.

Intellectual property

The standard Terms and Conditions that form part of the VCFA cannot be changed. Accordingly, the intellectual property rights will be managed in accordance with clause 16 of the VCFA.

In accordance with clause 16.3(b) of the VCFA, the Department will require a licence to use all or part of the project intellectual property for any purpose, including publication on the internet.

One of the core principles of the Research Agenda is Aboriginal self-determination, a key enabler of which is to increase Aboriginal ownership and control of data. Aboriginal data sovereignty recognises that Aboriginal communities and organisations should have governance, choice and control over data collected from and about their communities and have ready access to data and data analytics capacity necessary to support strong organisational governance and service planning.

Funding

Funding ranges

Except for the ‘system lens’ research topic, research grants will be offered in one funding range with project funding up to $150,000 (exclusive of GST) and a project duration a maximum of 1.5 years. The ‘system lens’ research grant will have a maximum budget of $300,000 (exclusive of GST) and a project duration of 1.5 years.

Please note: Maximum budget limits and timeframes for project completion cannot be changed and will not be negotiated.

Embedding Lived Experience

The Embedding Lived Experience in Research: Guiding Elements to support a partnership model (the lived experience guiding elements) will be piloted in Phase 2 of the Research Program. These elements are:

• embedding lived experience in the initiation of research projects
• embedding lived experience in the design of research projects
• embedding lived experience in the conduct of research projects
• embedding lived experience in research analysis
• embedding lived experience in the translation and exchange of research outcomes, and
• embedding lived experience in the continuous improvement of research projects.

The lived experience guiding elements will enable shared decision-making, leadership, and influence of people with lived experience through a partnership with researchers.

Applicants must demonstrate their proposed approach to implementing the lived experience guiding elements in their applications.

A key deliverable for each project will be focused on reflections from the project on the implementation of these elements.

A copy of the Embedding Lived Experience in Research: Guiding Elements to support a partnership model is available.

Budget

Budget limitations and justification

Applications must include an itemised budget outlining all project-related expenses and their calculation.

The budget must be accompanied by a budget justification, detailing the need for each expense.

Please note: while budget maximum limits are non-negotiable, successful projects may be funded at a lower rate than requested in the grant application. The final award amount is at the discretion of the Department.

Certain conditions govern the costs that will be covered by the grants funded under Phase 2, including:

More information

Fieldwork:

• Where possible, transport costs must be calculated using the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidelines. The use of these rates must be clearly stated in the budget justification.
• Where the ATO rates are not available, the budget justification must explain how reasonable costs were calculated.

Personnel:

• Salary costs must be requested with reference to the relevant pay scale, enterprise agreement or similar of the employer and at an appropriate salary level for the work being undertaken, including up to 30% on-costs. Such details must be explained in the budget justification.

Online presence:

• Where possible, it is expected that any project website is hosted on the organisation’s existing website at no or minimal added cost.

Project outputs:

• Project findings should primarily be disseminated through free channels, whether academic journals, organisation websites and social media, media organisations or other means. If outputs include webinars, mini symposiums and the like, costs should be mostly absorbed by the lead organisation.

Implementing the lived experience guiding elements

As a part of embedding implementing the lived experience guiding elements in their projects applicants need to consider the resources (including budget) and sequencing of key activities required to engage people with lived experience during the development of proposals. Applicants need to ensure that their proposals reflect these considerations.

Researchers are encouraged to utilise their own networks to engage with people with lived experience.

Based on feedback from Phase 1 of the Research Program, applicants who wish to request support from the Department in recruitment of members of the Victim Survivor Advisory Council (VSAC) as part of their project, should include the following in their budget and clearly indicate this request in their budget and milestones:

• approximately $4,000 plus GST for each engagement involving a small group of people with lived experience
• approximately $3,500 plus GST for room bookings, travel and accommodation if face-to-face engagement is planned (recommended if public health guidelines allow)
• $2,000 plus GST for the cost of a person with lived experience to support each occasion of small group facilitation.
• $60 per hour plus GST for the cost of working with a person with lived experience.

Consideration needs to be given to the time and resources needed in both to face-to-face / direct contact and in non-face-to-face / non-contact activities required to prepare for, follow-up and de-brief from project activities.

For further information on engaging with people with lived experience through the Department, including through VSAC, please email the FSV Research and Evidence team in the first instance.

Submission process

How to apply

Applicants must submit their application in full using the Department’s grants management platform, Grants gateway.

To access the link to application forms for grants please visit the Family Violence Research Grants Program: Phase 2 web page

Applications will be assessed solely on the information contained in the application.

Enquiries

For enquiries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please email the FSV Research and Evidence team and quote your application number.

Closing date

Applications must be received no later than 3.00 pm AEST, 3 April 2023. Please adjust for local differences and allow time to resolve any potential connectivity issues if these are relevant.

Submitted applications will be considered final. Late submissions due to extraordinary circumstances may only be accepted at the discretion of the Department.

Selection process

Application assessment process

Eligible applications will be assessed by a number of panels against the assessment criteria. The panels will advise on the eligibility and merit of applications received.

The assessment process is as follows:

1. A panel assesses all applications for eligibility.
2. Subject matter expertise panels undertake an initial scoring of eligible applications against the assessment criteria, to provide a preliminary ranking of applications and determine whether more information or clarification is needed. The Department may request more information or clarification of an application, as part of the assessment process.
3. A lived experience expertise panel reviews applications ranked highly in the preliminary ranking for the ability of these applications to embed lived experience and implement the lived experience guiding elements and makes recommendations to the master panel.
4. A master panel reviews the top-ranking applications and comes to a consensus before shortlisting preferred projects, determining a final ranking and recommendations for funding.
5. FSV’s CEO reviews the recommendation of the master panel and recommends the projects for funding to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence (the Minister).

Assessment criteria

Provided that applications meet the eligibility criteria, they will be assessed against the following criteria:

Quality, feasibility, and alignment of the project with the intent of the research grants program

• Appropriateness, quality and feasibility of the research design and methodology.
• How the project aligns with the research topic identified in the guidelines.
• How the project’s research focus will continue to build the evidence base and address identified gaps.
• Overview of ethical considerations, risks and mitigation strategies (including the proposed ethical approach to research conduct).
• Clear project plan including key milestones and deliverables.

Grant team track record and capability

• How the team demonstrates the relevant expertise to successfully execute the proposed project.
• How members of the team demonstrate family violence, sexual violence and harm expertise relevant to the proposed project focus.
• How the team demonstrates expertise in the proposed research approach to ensure project feasibility.
• Experience of the team in safely and ethically incorporating partnerships and lived experience within research.

Translation of research into practice

• Proposed approach to support knowledge translation, both during the project and post project completion.
• Previous experience in translating research findings into readily implementable actions, suitable for sector-based and government audiences.
• Demonstrated capacity to prepare resources and reports in plain understandable English (that is, non-academic language).

Appropriateness of the proposed budget, value for money

• How the project represents value for money and is cost-effective in its approach.
• How the costs are reasonable and justified in the context of the research project, its methods and the capacity of the applicant organisations.

Commitment to lived experience

• Strength of the proposed approach to embed lived experience and implement the lived experience guiding elements in the project.

Weighting of criteria

Overview

The priority research subject areas (subject areas) and priority research topics (research topics) are summarised in the following table.

The research topics respond to current gaps in the evidence base. They have been compiled from analysis of current research and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, including Victorian Government departments and community sector organisations.

This section includes detailed information about each research topic to guide applicants in their proposals.

Research subject areas and priority research topics

Why is this a priority?

Family violence has particularly significant consequences for children and young people. Whether they are directly targeted, have witnessed violence toward another family member, or are exposed to the effects of violence (such as living with constant tension and fear, instability due needing to seek refuge, broken property and/or injured family members), children and young people must be recognised as victim survivors in their own right.

The Personal Safety Survey found, in 2014–15, that nearly 2.1 million women and men were estimated to have witnessed violence towards their mother by a partner before the age of 15.This data further shows that around half of women who experienced Domestic Family Violence (DFV) had children in their care when the violence occurred with over half of these stating that the children had seen and heard the violence. Despite its prevalence, this continues to be a well-recognised research gap.

A deeper understanding of how children and young people experience family violence and its impacts is essential in identifying risk and improving our ability to intervene early. Children and young people’s needs and experiences are unique and differ not only from adults but also from each other. By recognising how these needs vary in connection to such factors as age and stage, culture, gender, identity and community of origin, government, universal and specialist services can tailor programs to specifically meet children and young people’s needs and help them to recover and thrive.

Research topic 1.1: What works (from the perspective of children and/or young people) for children and/or young people when accessing crisis accommodation

Need:

Anecdotal evidence suggests that due to high demand and limited service offerings, children and young people do not necessarily receive timely access to crisis accommodation which assists in the reduction of trauma and aids recovery from the impacts of family violence. workforces in responding to children and young people directly, not via their parents. There is a need to identify client views of what works for children and/or young people when accessing crisis accommodation. There is a further need to understand resource allocations for children and/or young people who use these services and focus on how what service users value Should continue to policy and practice implementation.

Desired outcomes

Findings will:

• identify the universal elements of trauma-informed interventions associated with improved outcomes that can be used to develop evidence-based locally grown programs
• inform refinements to the design of crisis accommodation services for children and young people who have experienced family violence and/or sexual assault, at agency-level
• inform refinements to the design of crisis accommodation programs for children and young people who have experienced family violence and/or sexual assault, at departmental level
• support the development and embedding of outcomes measurement in community sector organisations that provide accommodation services
• support outcomes monitoring and measurement by identifying effective interventions and service delivery for children and young people
• assist government to allocate resources based on need and improved evidence of what works.

Scope

Duration: Up to 1.5 years
Budget: Up to $150,000
Methodology:
This research should include:

• a range of populations, geographical areas, or services
• a strong focus on an intersectional approach that considers effectiveness and appropriateness as they relate to diverse Victorian children and/or young people
• participatory qualitative research such as focus group discussion or interviews with those with lived experience
• a strong focus on the development of quantitative and qualitative tools, approaches, or guidance on what counts as effectiveness and for whom.

The direct voices of children should be amplified via participatory, action based and innovative, ethically sound qualitative research methods.

This research can be of the views of children and young people in identifiable groups, such as children and young people with disability or Aboriginal children and young people.

If the project focuses on Aboriginal children and/or young people, the project must be led by an ACCO or undertaken by a consortium with an ACCO as lead agency and be strongly underpinned by the principles of Aboriginal self-determination outlined in Research Agenda. Prospective applicants will need to engage with Dhelk Dja Koorie Caucus representatives to further shape this research project.

Why is this a priority?

Aboriginal people and communities, particularly women and children, experience disproportionate impacts from family violence and yet Aboriginal people’s experience of family violence remains under researched. Likewise, there has been insufficient attention paid to building the evidence base on culturally appropriate approaches to assisting victim survivors recover from the impacts of family violence and to support people who use violence against Aboriginal people to change their behaviours.

We need better understanding of the prevalence, protective factors, and additional drivers of family violence for Aboriginal people and communities, and how these may differ across families, communities and different cohorts or groups. Research that builds a stronger understanding of Aboriginal people and communities’ experiences of family violence and its impacts including how these may differ across individuals, families, communities and from non-Aboriginal people would be valuable for policy and practice.

Similarities and differences in types of violence and patterns of violent behaviours used by people against Aboriginal victim survivors, including unique manifestations of violence and how this may affect service delivery, is a key under researched area.

Research topic 2.1: What does success look like for Aboriginal people who use family and/or sexual violence?

Need

There is limited research on measures and outcome indicators to monitor success for Aboriginal people who use family and/or sexual violence. There are also few studies that consider or draw on outcomes that Aboriginal communities have defined themselves. There is a need to measure outcomes to provide an empirical link between stated intentions and actions on the one hand and their impact on the other. The research will contribute to understanding not only of what should be measured, but the factors that support improved outcomes. Further, there is a strong interest and commitment from members of the Dhelk Dja Koorie Caucus in understanding measures of success for Aboriginal Family Violence Services.

Desired outcomes

Findings will:

• enable outcomes and measures of success (that reflect Aboriginal perspectives) to be embedded in programs and interventions that work Aboriginal people who use violence
• assist Government to better allocate resources based on need and better evidence of what works
• also be a critical input into the Evaluation of the Dhelk Dja 10 Year Agreement planned to commence in 2022-23.

Scope

Duration: Up to 1.5 years
Budget: Up to $150,000
Methodology:
This research should include:

• a strengths-based approach to understand what promotes outcomes for Aboriginal communities, families, and individuals
• a focus on the development of draft indicators, questions, and tools on what constitutes successful outcomes Aboriginal people who use family and/or sexual violence. These should be pilot tested within a small group of both metro and regional ACCOs.

This project must be led by an ACCO or undertaken by a consortium with an ACCO as lead agency and be strongly underpinned by the principles of Aboriginal self-determination outlined in Research Agenda. Prospective applicants will need to engage with Dhelk Dja Koorie Caucus representatives to further shape this research project.

Why is this a priority?

We know that many Victorians face additional challenges and are at greater risk of violence, because of social structures of disadvantage that marginalise their cultural or social identity or their personal circumstances. This includes people from multicultural and faith communities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning (LGBTIQ+) communities, people with disability, people experiencing mental health difficulties, older Victorians, women in or exiting prison or forensic institutions, people working in the sex industry, rural, regional and remote communities, male victims and young people aged 12 – 25. The culture, experiences and needs of these communities may differ significantly and individuals may identify with one or several communities. Similarly, the family violence experiences of individuals who belong to these communities may also differ.

Research into family violence as experienced and perpetrated by people from diverse communities is an emerging field. We need to better understand the unique dynamics of violence within diverse communities and the drivers and protective factors that may increase or reduce that violence. There is also a significant gap in research and data collection around access, inclusion and family violence service system use for people from diverse communities. This needs to be addressed in order to prevent family violence and enhance the Victorian service system response.

Research topic 3.1: What counts as success for multicultural community services as part of a coordinated response to family violence?

Need

Multicultural community services provide a range of services to communities across Victoria including connecting them into vital services such as family violence. There are a range of different multicultural community services that are small and large, and many are run by volunteers. They are the vital link to community and many support their communities to access a range of services including family violence support. Their role is not formally recognised as part of the service system even though they play a critical role in building trust and engagement as well as identification of family violence risk. Anecdotally, we know that specialist family violence and sexual assault services reach out to many multicultural community services to improve their practice response to be more culturally responsive to clients who access their services. There is a need to research the role of multicultural community services and their contribution to coordinated efforts in responding to family violence.

Desired outcomes

Findings will:

• provide evidence needed to support future Victorian investment in multicultural community services for the key role they play in keeping Victorian communities safe
• provide evidence of the role of multicultural community services in the broader services system connected to the family violence sector for example, mental health, alcohol and other drug, child protection/child first, welfare and other family services
• assist government to allocate resources based on need and improved evidence of what works.

Scope

Duration: Up to 1.5 years
Budget: Up to $150,000
Methodology:
This research should include:

• strong participatory methods including the co-design of the project with multicultural community services and the family violence sector. Methods should also focus on engaging faith leaders and other community leaders.
• mechanisms to ensure that all stages of contact (from initial client contact with services, through to exit from contact with the services) is covered in the research, including community health, mental health and other community services that are referral pathways for multicultural community services
• engagement of faith leaders and other community leaders
• a strong focus on the development of quantitative and/or qualitative tools, approaches or guidance on what counts as effectiveness and for whom.

Lead researchers in prospective applicants must be familiar with the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM Framework).

Research topic 3.2: What protective factors and facilitators lead to successful engagement for people with a disability accessing family violence and/or sexual violence services?

Need

The 2016 Personal Safety Survey (PSS) found that, for women, living with disability or a long-term health condition raised the likelihood of experiencing various types of violence including violence by a cohabiting partner (physical and/or sexual), and emotional abuse by a cohabiting partner. The 2016 PSS found that the greatest disparity in risk was found for partner violence, with results showing that women living with disability were nearly twice as likely as women without disability to have experienced violence by a partner over a 12-month period. While a strong and sufficient quantum of research exists that focuses on barriers to access for people with disability and the increased risk people with disability face, there is a need to research and focus on protective factors and improved access to supports for victim-survivors. This is a gap in the evidence base.

Desired outcomes

Findings will be used to:

• inform program design and service delivery and thus create more inclusive and accessible support services • inform practice framework development and workforce capacity building priorities
• inform refinements to the policy design of family violence and/or sexual assault programs for people with a disability
• support the development and embedding of outcomes measurement in community sector organisations that provide services
• assist government to allocate resources based on need and improved evidence of what works.

Scope

Duration: Up to 1.5 year
Budget: Up to $150,000
Methodology:
This research should include:

• strong participatory methods including the co-design of the project with the disability community sector, specialist family violence and/or sexual assault organisations and people with disability
• a strong focus on the development of quantitative and/or qualitative tools, approaches or guidance on what counts as effectiveness and for whom.

Lead researchers in prospective applicants must be familiar with the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM Framework).

Why is this a priority?

The Royal Commission into Family Violence recognised that sexual violence and harm is a common form of family violence and often an indicator of heightened family violence risk. This includes sexual violence and harm within intimate partner relationships and within the broader family, including abuse of children and older people. Sexual violence and harm (including single incidents and protracted abuse) occur in public, social, institutional, online and workplace contexts and can be perpetrated by strangers or by people known to the victim survivor. All types of sexual violence, assault, abuse, harassment, and sexualised behaviours of concern are within the scope of this research agenda priority. Many victim survivors experience barriers in reporting, access to the justice system and other support services Like family violence, sexual violence and harm is underreported, under-prosecuted and under-convicted.

Research topic 4.1: What approaches work to support children and/or young people who experience sexual assault?

Need

Despite the 2016 Personal Safety Survey report that 11% of women and 4.6% of men experienced childhood sexual abuse, most commonly by a known person who was not a family member, there continues to be a well-recognised Victorian research gap in terms of the most effective interventions for children and young people who experience sexual assault. While there are various approaches being used jurisdictionally and nationally to support recovery of children and young people who experience sexual assault, there is limited research regarding optimal treatment modalities and content, duration and length of programs and activities, and the settings in which these should be delivered. There is a need to research effective approaches and therapeutic interventions for children and young people who are victim survivors of sexual violence. It is critical that these victim survivors have access to developmentally appropriate services to keep them engaged and to effectively treat their trauma, so that the long-term negative impacts on their wellbeing can be avoided or minimised.

Desired outcomes

Findings will:

• support a trial of new approaches in terms of sexual assault services for children and young people
• inform refinements to the policy design of sexual assault programs for children and/or young people
• support the development and embedding of outcomes measurement in community sector organisations that provide sexual assault services for children and young people
• assist government to allocate resources based on need and improved evidence of what works.

Scope

Duration: Up to 1.5 years
Budget: Up to $150,000
Methodology:
This research should include:

• a structured review of evidence to identify a suite of effective approaches. The review should comment on the strength and limitations of the available evidence (e.g., its applicability to Aboriginal children and/or young people and children and/or young people from diverse communities).
• a strong focus on an intersectional approach that considers effectiveness and appropriateness as they relate to diverse Victorian children and/or young people
• the development of clear guidelines or principles on what constitutes effective approaches, including what counts as effectiveness and for whom.

Why is this a priority?

The ability to design and improve programs and services in the family violence area depends on the willingness of victim survivors to share their experiences and expertise. As a result, the ways in which victim survivors share their insights need to be such that victim survivors need to feel safe and comfortable when doing so.

Research topic 5.1: What, from the perspective of victim survivors, are meaningful, safe and effective ways to gather feedback to strengthen family violence service delivery?

Need

This topic was developed by members of Family Safety Victoria’s Victim Survivor Advisory Council (VSAC).
“If we don’t find out from those we seek to serve, we wouldn’t know what’s landing for people and what’s not.” – Member of VSAC

There is a need to identify ways to gather feedback from victim survivors in a way that is more meaningful, safe and effective. There is an opportunity to further research of what meaningful, safe and effective feedback from victim survivors looks like within the intervention continuum.

There is a need to attend to the reciprocal challenge of giving and receiving feedback and an opportunity to research the optimal time and context (i.e., the who, how, where, when of giving and receiving feedback).

This topic will research effective and innovative ways services that can be used to gather the feedback and insights of victim-survivors and use it to strengthen service delivery and client-centred practice.

Desired outcomes

Findings will:

• strengthen the way we engage with people to ensure barriers are addressed and those that previously didn’t engage with services feel supported to do so
• strengthen service delivery and ensure that secondary trauma to victim survivors is addressed
• help generate evidence on how to create a streamlined and transparent process to ‘close the loop’ for people who provide service feedback.

Scope

Duration: Up to 1.5 years
Budget: Up to $300,000
Methodology: This research should include:

• a strong focus on an intersectional approach that considers effectiveness and appropriateness as they relate to diverse Victorian victim-survivors
• a structured review of current feedback practices, tools and conventions used in family violence service delivery
• strong focus on participatory qualitative research methods in alignment with the six phases of the lived experience guiding elements.

Version control

This page will be updated as new questions arise throughout the application period. Please submit questions to Family Safety Victoria’s Research and Planning team.

Definitions

Knowledge translation and exchange (KTE)

Knowledge translation and exchange strategies increase the use of evidence in practice and policy. Despite the considerable amount of research being conducted about a topic or issue, research findings are not always used to inform policy and practice. This problem is known as the knowledge-to-action gap, which is prevalent in many fields. Knowledge translation and exchange can close this gap by making research evidence more accessible, leading to better informed practice and policy decisions. Knowledge translation and exchange demonstrates a return on research investments, optimizing the value of the research, and increasing the impact it can have on society.

Chief Investigator

The overall lead researcher for a research project. In addition to their responsibilities, if they are members of a research team, Chief Investigators are responsible for the overall conduct of a research project.

Lead organisation

The lead organisation is the applicant.

The lead organisation takes responsibility for the research, enters into a funding agreement with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (the department) and ensures that the research project is delivered in accordance with the funding agreement.

Not-for-profit organisation

Generally, a not-for-profit organisation does not operate for the profit, personal gain or other benefit of particular people (for example, its members, the people who run it, or their friends or relatives). The definition of not-for-profit applies both while the organisation is operating and if it ‘winds up’ (that is, closes down). Any profit made by the organisation must go back into the operation.

A not-for-profit entity should be registered via one of the following:

• Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
• Consumer Affairs Victoria as an incorporated association
• registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic).

For more information on not-for-profit status, visit the Australian Taxation Office website’s Not-for-profit section.

Eligibility

I have a project but I’m not part of an organisation. Can I still apply?

No, sole traders cannot apply.

Only Australian-based organisations are eligible for the research grants. This includes not-for-profit entities, Australian universities, or research centres.

Applicants must be:

• an organisation incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or equivalent state legislation, OR
• a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and registered as not-for-profit through the ACNC.

A not-for-profit entity must show the organisation is registered:

• with the ACNC
• with Consumer Affairs Victoria as an incorporated association, or
• under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic).

Independent Statutory Bodies are out of scope for Phase 2 of the Research Program.

Applicants will need to have:

• a current Australian Business Number
• no overdue reports with the department.

The guidelines note that the lead organisation must have an ABN. What if my organisation doesn’t have an ABN?

Only organisations with an ABN are eligible to apply.

Can the lead organisation (applicant) be based outside of Victoria?

Yes, the lead organisation can be based outside Victoria as long as they are an eligible Australian-based organisation.

All projects need to:

• be conducted in Victoria and with Victorian populations, with a primary focus on producing outputs that measurably impact positive outcomes in Victorian family violence, sexual violence and harm policy and practice
• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Victorian family violence reform, its attached social context, and the Victorian family violence sector or Victorian sexual violence reform and sexual assault services
• deliver KTE activities in Victoria.

Can non-Australian-based researchers or organisations be research partners?

Yes, researchers and organisations not based in Australia can be involved in projects as research partners or in an advisory capacity.

Are recipients of Phase 1 funding encouraged to apply for Phase 2 funding? Are there any considerations to be mindful of here?

Yes. Recipients of Phase 1 funding are encouraged to apply for Phase 2 funding.

The requirements for organisations funded under Phase 1 are the same as organisations which have not received funding in the Family Violence Research Program.

[Added 17 March 2023]

Can my organisation apply for funding if it is already funded by another Victorian Government grant program?

Your organisation can apply for funding if it is already funded by another Victorian Government grant program (for example, the Supporting Multicultural and Faith Communities to Prevent Family Violence 2021 grant program).

It is important to ensure that your organisation has met the reporting and acquittal requirements of any other grant programs that it has been funded by as applicants are not eligible if they have overdue reports with the department.

The grant eligibility requirements state that only Australian based organisations are eligible for the research grants. This includes not-for-profit entities, Australian universities or research centres. Can you elaborate on that?

The grant guidelines provide the below information on eligibility:

Eligible applicants

Only Australian based organisations are eligible for the research grants. This includes not-for-profit entities, Australian universities or research centres.

Organisations need to be:

• incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Corporations Act 2001(Cth) or equivalent state legislation OR
• a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and registered as not-for-profit through the ACNC.

Applicants will need to have:

• a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• no overdue reports with the department.

Research Centres are taken to mean centres attached to and/or auspiced by not-for-profit entities and Australian universities. Independent Statutory Bodies are out of scope for Phase 2 of the Research Program.

Combining priority research topics or making multiple applications for different topics

Can my organisation submit applications for different priority research topics?

Yes. Your organisation may apply for funding under more than one priority research topic – each project must be submitted in a separate application.

There is no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted for different priority research topics from a single applicant.

There is no limit to the number of applications an organisation can partner on.

My organisation has a project proposal that may fit two priority research topics. Does it need to submit two separate applications if it is submitting the same proposal for different research priorities?

Your organisation should not submit multiple applications for the same project across different priority research topics.

Submit one application under the topic that you think best fits your project.

There are several priority research topics that could be linked to each other. Can I combine research topics and submit one application for a larger project?

No. Applicants are not able to submit one application addressing more than one priority research topic.

Separate applications must be made for each priority research topic.

Can more than one researcher from the same university apply for the same priority research topic? That is, can more than one Chief Investigator from the same lead organisation, with different proposals, teams and approaches apply for the same priority research topic?

Yes. More than one researcher and/or Chief Investigator from the same university and/or lead organisation can apply for the same priority research topic with two different proposals.

Research team

Is there a minimum or maximum number of investigators required for a grant? If not, is there a grant team size that would be viewed favourably or otherwise for grants?

No. There is no minimum or maximum number of investigators required for grants.

Your organisation needs to be able to demonstrate that your research team meets the ‘Grant team track record and capability’ assessment criterion in the grant guidelines.

Research partnerships

In Phase 1 of the Research Program, Family Safety Victoria (FSV) required partnerships between universities and sector organisations for some projects. Is that the case for Phase 2?

No. In Phase 2, organisational partnerships are not required. A single, eligible Australian-based organisation can apply.

Applicants may choose to partner with organisations to undertake the project. Where a lead organisation chooses to partner with other organisations it must demonstrate these partnerships in its application form and provide a letter of support from partner organisations. These partnerships should be robust and based on principles of knowledge exchange and transfer.

In Phase 2, we are piloting the Embedding Lived Experience in Research: Guiding Elements to support a partnership model (the lived experience guiding elements). Applicants must demonstrate their proposed approach to implementing the lived experience guiding elements in their projects. Use of the lived experience guiding elements will enable shared decision-making, leadership, and influence of people with lived experience working in partnership with researchers.

My organisation is applying for a project and has multiple research partners. Does the application need to list the details of all research partners and provide multiple letters of support?

Yes. Prospective applicants must list all partnerships in their application.

Applicants will need to attach a letter of support from each partner organisation.

For example, if the proposed project has three partner organisations, include the details of all three partner organisations and attach three letters of support.

If I am partnering with an organisation, what should be in the letter confirming the partnership between organisations?

The letter confirming the partnership should be written from each partnering organisation to your organisation.

The letter should cover:

• the purpose of the project
• why they are partnering with your organisation and what the partnership will achieve
• the type of support they will provide – including both funding and in-kind support.

The letter should be signed by the relevant executive from the partnering organisation.

If two organisations are partners, do both organisations need to complete separate application forms?

No. Only the lead organisation that will deliver the project needs to fill out the application form. There is a section in the form for information about partner organisations and letters of support.

Can our organisation be listed as a partner organisation in multiple applications for the same priority research topic?

Yes. Only one application will be successful for each priority research topic, meaning that only one of the lead organisations you have partnered with will be successful.

Research approaches and methodology

The grant guidelines specify the underpinning principles that all projects are expected to be guided by. Does my project have to be guided by all of these or a select few?

Projects should apply or be underpinned by all the core principles.

In line with the scope and approach of the Victorian family violence research agenda, there is an expectation that research delivered under the research program will apply or be underpinned by core principles. This includes consideration of the role of:

• Aboriginal self-determination
• gender inequality
• intersectionality, and
• lived experience.

It also includes applying a system lens that recognises the cross-system nature of the Victorian reform.

More information on the research agenda is on the Victorian Government’s Victorian family violence research agenda 2021–2024 web page.

Some of the research priority topics set quite specific parameters for the project scope and research methodology. Can researchers propose their own scope and methodology?

Researchers can propose their own methodology but must demonstrate how their methodology aligns with the suggested methodological scope under the topic within the grant guidelines.

Please note: not all types of research are eligible for grants (see the grant guidelines). Researchers should also be mindful of suggestions made in the grant guidelines as projects are assessed against their alignment to the priority research topic and potential to substantially augment or contribute to the evidence base. Applications should detail a comprehensive, cohesive project design that responds to the priority research topic.

Can my organisation propose an evaluation of an existing program as a project?

No. Evaluations of existing or planned programs are ineligible for grants, as stipulated in the grant guidelines.

Is it permissible for a proposed project, under a priority research topic, to focus solely on a particular Victorian population cohort/group?

Please refer to our grant guidelines and the specific parameters in the scope section of the priority research topics. If a priority research topic’s scope specifies a single Victorian population group or a group of Victorian population cohorts, the proposed application should adhere to these. However, applicants may submit a proposal focusing on a single Victorian population group; but must make the case for the clear evidence gap that exists and how they will scale the project to reflect its proposed budget and timelines.

There is also an expectation that all research delivered under the Research Program will apply or be underpinned by core principles of the Research Agenda. This includes consideration of the role of Aboriginal self-determination, gender inequality, intersectionality, lived experience and application of a system lens that recognises the cross-system nature of the Victorian reforms.

Knowledge Translation and Exchange

What knowledge translation and exchange deliverables does my project need to produce

Funded projects will have to produce a knowledge translation report – a short, plain English report for publication, that highlights the key findings of the research and focuses on implications for policy and practice; based on guidance provided by FSV. The requirement will be a deliverable in the agreement with the department.

Research priorities

Can a project for Research Topic 1.1 focus on the views of children and young people in identifiable groups, such as children and young people with disability or Aboriginal children and young people?

Research Topic 1.1: What works (from the perspective of children and/or young people) for children and/or young people when accessing crisis accommodation?

Yes. The scope of a project can be of the view of children and young people in an identifiable group, such as children and young people with disability or Aboriginal children and young people. If the project focuses on Aboriginal children and/or young people, the project must be led by an ACCO or undertaken by a consortium with an ACCO as lead agency and be strongly underpinned by the principles of Aboriginal self-determination outlined in Research Agenda. Prospective applicants will need to engage with Dhelk Dja Koorie Caucus representatives to further shape this research project.

Does the scope of Research Topic 4.1 include sexual violence within the family as well as sexual violence that occurs external to the family setting?

For Research Topic 4.1: What approaches work to support children and/or young people who experience sexual assault?

Yes. The scope includes both sexual violence within and external to family settings.

Do the research topics apply to sexual violence as well as family violence?

Yes. The research topics apply to sexual violence and/or family violence.

For example, the priority research topic “What, from the perspective of victim survivors, are meaningful, safe and effective ways to gather feedback to strengthen family violence service delivery?” could focus on victim survivors of sexual violence and harm.

[Added 17 March 2023]

Population groups

My project involves children. What additional requirements must I consider?

Projects involving children have additional ethical considerations. It is your responsibility to ensure your application adheres to ethical research practises and approaches.

As specified in the grant guidelines, the lead organisation must have policies and processes in place that ensure adherence to the current Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Download a copy from the NMHRC website’s Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 page.

Where applicable, research teams must also have access to a human research ethics committee for approval if working with human participants. More information is on NHMRC’s Human research ethics committees page.

Applicants will be asked to indicate in their funding application where they believe their research may entail ethical risks. Where such risks exist, applicants must explain how they will be mitigated, especially where there are risks to vulnerable groups such as children.

My project involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. What additional requirements must I consider?

Projects involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities have additional ethical considerations. It is your organisation’s responsibility to ensure its application adheres to ethical research practises and approaches.

As specified in the grant guidelines, the lead organisation must have policies and processes in place that ensure adherence to the current Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Download a copy from the NMHRC website’s Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 page.

Where applicable, research teams must also have access to a human research ethics committee for approval if working with human participants. More information is on NHMRC’s Human research ethics committees page.

Applicants will be asked to indicate in their funding application where they believe their research may entail ethical risks. Where such risks exist, applicants must explain how they will be mitigated – especially where there are risks to vulnerable groups that face particular forms of discrimination or disadvantage, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Research teams must adhere to the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (The AIATSIS Code) to ensure that research with and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples follows a process of meaningful engagement and reciprocity between the researcher and the individuals and/or communities involved in the research. You can download a copy from the AIATSIS website's Ethical Research web page.

In addition to these ethical considerations, projects involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities must also meet further eligibility requirements. These projects must be led by a Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) or consortia with an ACCO as lead organisation or where the Chief Investigator is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Projects involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities will involve engagement with Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus.

The application must describe any prior engagement and relationships the lead organisation has had with Victorian Aboriginal communities or representatives of Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus and select at least one of the following:

• The lead organisation is an ACCO
• The lead organisation is an ACCO and involves a partnership with other organisations
• The Chief Investigator is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Can a research project focus solely on an identifiable cohort/group?

Applications that focus on addressing any priority research topic from the perspective of identifiable groups or communities and their members are welcome.

There is an expectation that all research delivered under the Research Program will apply or be underpinned by core principles of the Research Agenda. This includes consideration of the role of Aboriginal self-determination, gender inequality, intersectionality, lived experience and application of a system lens that recognises the cross-system and multi-agency nature of Victorian reforms.

Although the grant guidelines are explicit, at a couple of points, about the ability to make applications to undertake research that focuses on identifiable groups this is not intended to restrict applications with a focus on identifiable groups to the priority research topics in which this is explicitly mentioned.

In line with the grant guidelines, applicants submitting a proposal focusing on a single Victorian population group must make the case for the clear evidence gap that exists.

[Added 17 March 2023]

Budget

How much are the research grants?

Except for the ‘system lens’ research topic, research grants will be offered in one funding range with project funding up to $150,000 (exclusive of GST) and a project duration a maximum of 1.5 years.

The ‘system lens’ research grant will have a maximum budget of $300,000 (exclusive of GST) and a project duration of 1.5 years.

Please note: Maximum budget limits and timeframes for project completion cannot be changed and will not be negotiated.

Is the maximum budget set out for each research topic exclusive of GST?

Yes. The maximum budget is exclusive of GST.

Maximum budgets and timeframes are included in the grant guidelines for each research topic. Does this mean that the intention is to fund multiple projects within that budgeted amount or that individual project proposals should not exceed the limits set out?

The maximum budget and timeframe set out in the grant guidelines relate to individual project proposals therefore budgets and timeframes for proposed projects should not exceed those limits.

The maximum budget and timeframe along with other information and requirements set out under the research topic also provides an indication of the size and scale of project proposals being sought.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully consider the information and requirements for the research topic of their proposed project. This includes information on desired outcomes, methodological considerations, maximum costs and timeframes when determining the scope and methodology of their proposed project.

Can I submit a project proposal with a budget less than the maximum budget?

Yes. The amount set in the grant guidelines is the maximum; no minimum amount has been set.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the information and requirements for each research priority and also the selection criteria set out in Section 2 of the grant guidelines.

How much detail must I provide in the budget section of my application?

We recommend you be as specific as you can. The assessment panel will assess projects taking into account realistic costs and budget detail. It is important that the panel can clearly see the allocation of funds for the entire project.

The itemised budget should be broken down by category, as specified in Section 1 of the grant guidelines.

Ensure you justify each of your budget line items. You must explain why the item is necessary for the success of your project, demonstrating coherence with your project design. Ensure all requested items are within the funding limitations outlined in the grant guidelines.

The more accurate and well-documented your application is, the less doubt or questions will be in the assessors’ minds. Remember, you cannot ask for more funds later because you did not accurately cost your project initially.

Will more than one project be funded for a priority research topic?

The department may fund more than one project for a priority research topic, depending on the field of applications received.

Are universities eligible to include in their costing up to 15% as administrative costs?

Yes. Universities should not include more than 15% as administrative costs in their costings.

Application process

How do I apply for the grant?

Please read the Guidelines for prospective applicants Family Violence Research Grants Program: Phase 2 to determine your eligibility, understand the focus and scope of the research program and understand the application process.

Applicants will need to log in or register with the Grants Gateway and then navigate to “Available grants” to find the application form for Phase 2.

Please complete your submission through the department’s grants application website.

Ensure your application and all required documentation are completed and submitted before 3.00 pm, Monday 3 April 2023.

Multiple people are contributing to our application. Can I get a Word version of the form to draft our application?

No, a Word version of the application form is not available.

The whole Grants Gateway was built to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.0 Compliance standard which was fully tested and signed off.

Applicants are responsible for coordinating the drafting of their applications. An application can only be accessed by one Gateway account. If you want a colleague to be able to access the draft application you will need to share that account.

When can I apply for the grant?

Grant applications open open at 3.00 pm AEDT, 6 March 2023. Grant applications close at 3.00 pm, Monday 3 April 2023.

What if I don't submit my application before the closing date?

Applications to funding rounds close promptly at the published time and date.

Applications that have not been submitted by the closing date will be unable to be sent and will be purged from the system following the funding round closure. Acceptance of late applications due to circumstances beyond the applicant’s control will be at the discretion of FSV.

What if I leave an organisation that has put in an application? What will happen to the emails?

FSV will contact applicants using the email address provided as the primary email of the contact for the application. If you plan to leave an organisation and know you have an open application or grant, please email the FSV Research and Evidence team and quote your application number.

What if I need to make a change to my application form?

Please ensure that you carefully read and check your application form before submitting.

On the ‘Review and submit’ page, you can check you have completed all relevant sections, that all the information is true and correct and that you have attached required supporting documents. You may also download a PDF copy of the completed form to review.

If you need to make a change after you have pressed submit, please email the FSV Research and Evidence team.

Please note: changes after the closing date will only be made at the discretion of FSV.

Do you accept hard copy applications or supporting materials?

We do not accept hard copy applications. All applications must be submitted using the online application form. If you need help with your online application, please email the FSV Research and Evidence team.

Is it permissible, given the word counts for questions, to attach a reference list of publications used to support the application?

Yes. You will be able to attach a reference list to your application.

Assessment and selection process

What happens after I submit the application?

Once you submit your application, you will receive a system-generated confirmation email with your application number.

After you have received the confirmation email, you can assume that your application is being processed.

For enquiries during this time, you can email the FSV Research and Evidence team.

Who assesses the applications?

Applications will initially be checked for eligibility by FSV.

Eligible applications will then be assigned to a panel of subject matter experts based on the subject area of the priority research topic that the application relates to.

Subject matter experts will undertake an initial scoring of eligible applications against the assessment criteria, to provide a preliminary ranking of applications and determine whether more information or clarification is needed. We may request more information or clarification of an application, as part of the assessment process.

A lived experience expertise panel will review applications ranked highly in the preliminary ranking for the ability of these applications to embed lived experience and implement the lived experience guiding elements; and make recommendations to the master panel.

A master panel will review the top-ranking applications and come to a consensus before shortlisting preferred projects, determining a final ranking and making recommendations for funding.

FSV’s CEO will review the recommendations of the master panel and recommend the projects for funding to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence (the Minister).

Members of the subject matter expertise and master panels will come from Victorian Government Departments and come from within and outside FSV.

How are applications assessed?

Applications are assessed against the assessment criteria specified in the grant guidelines.

Applicants should align their applications to these criteria and take note of the weighting of each criterion. The application form structure is based on the assessment criteria to ensure clarity for applicants.

When will I find out if my grant application was successful?

We hope to let applicants know the outcome of their application within two months of the research grants round closing date, however this will depend on the number of applications we receive.

Will I be given feedback if my application is unsuccessful?

If your application is not successful, we will send you an email to notify you of the outcome and include contact details if you wish to seek feedback.

Can I appeal the decision?

No. Decisions about the outcome of the grant and the assessment and selection process cannot be appealed.

Successful applicants

When will I receive the grant?

The department will make the first payment to each grant recipient by 30 June 2023 and make subsequent payments as agreed in the contract between the parties, based on the meeting of milestones/deliverables.

How will the grant be paid to my organisation?

Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with the department.

The standard Victorian common funding agreement is available from the Victorian Government’s Victorian Common Funding Agreement forms and templates web page.

The VCFA Standard Form and Short Form templates are built into Grants360 to automate contracting, allowing successful applicants to sign electronically.

All organisations funded through the department are paid via Oracle – the department’s financial management system. The integration of Oracle and Grants gateway allows payment to be made to successful applicants as deliverables are met, without the need for an invoice.

What happens if I want or need to change what I spend my grant funding on?

Once you enter a funding agreement, any changes to the budget, activities and items will be at the discretion of the department.

You will need to email the FSV Research and Evidence team to set up an initial discussion in the first instance.

Any variations will be assessed against the budget limitations specified in the grant guidelines and will be at the discretion of the department.

Help with applications

Who do I contact if I have any questions or trouble with the application?

For enquiries about the grant guidelines, deadlines or questions in the application form, you can email the FSV Research and Evidence team and quote your application number. Please note that we can only provide general advice regarding the application process

When is the last day I can ask questions related to priority research topics and receive project guidance before applications close?

The deadline to ask questions related to priority research topics and receive project guidance is 27 March 2023 Final responses to questions received by this date will be provided by 30 March 2023.

Following this date, FSV will still able to assist with administration-related questions.