Research Grant Program 2024
Applications for the third round of the Victorian Building Authority’s (VBA) Research Grant Program are now open.
The VBA invites researchers at Australian universities to apply for grants for research that will provide insights and practical solutions to improve consumer outcomes and enable building occupants to enjoy a safe and compliant built environment.
We are focussed on supporting research that will protect consumers from the most significant harms in the built environment, or research that will address new or emerging harms.
Proposals must be for research that will:
- address one or more of the VBA’s regulatory priorities, or
- identify and address new or emerging harms from products, materials, practices or technologies in the built environment.
Regulatory priorities
The VBA focusses its resources and activities and use of its regulatory tools on the following priorities:
Priorities | Focus of VBA’s resources and activities |
|---|---|
Taking action to address harms arising from water ingress and water damage that may lead to significant consumer issues such as moisture in buildings, mould and structural deterioration. Reduce the risk of harms from water supply contamination, and consideration of events like flooding. | |
Taking action to address harms arising from the:
Reducing the risk of harms that may lead to fire causing significant impacts on the health and safety of people and buildings. | |
Taking action to prevent harms caused by the use of non-compliant, non-conforming or inappropriate products or materials. | |
Taking action to prevent harms caused by insolvency and phoenix activity in the construction sector that undermines the viability of and confidence in the industry. | |
Taking action to:
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Protecting consumers and practitioners from harms caused by:
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Who can apply
Researchers at Australian education institutions can apply for a VBA research grant.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted by sending a completed VBA Research Grant Program 2024 Application Form (PDF, 357.14 KB) by email to research@vba.vic.gov.au.
Applicants must demonstrate in their application that the proposed research:
- will help protect consumers from the most significant harms in the built environment, or address new or emerging harms.
- will provide insights and practical solutions that will improve consumer outcomes and enable consumers and building occupants to enjoy a safe and compliant built environment.
Research proposals must seek to provide new insights or information to what is already publicly available. This may extend on research that has or is currently being undertaken, or may open new areas of research.
Closing date
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday 2 April 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.
Funding
What support is available?
The research grant may comprise a financial and/or in-kind contribution from the VBA.
The financial component of the grant may be used for research expenses such as:
- contributing towards the salary of researcher/s or research assistant/s (when working on the VBA supported research)
- reasonable travel and other costs associated with conducting the research and/or collecting data
- hiring professional services, such as transcribing qualitative data and analysing quantitative data.
The financial component of the grant cannot be used for:
- large research infrastructure, equipment or software that would be reasonably expected to be provided by the educational institution undertaking the research
- resources that have already been purchased or for activities that have already taken place
- research that is outside the scope of the research grant funding agreement
- procuring the private sector to conduct the research.
The VBA’s in-kind contributions may be through VBA employee time or other non-financial contributions. The nature of the in-kind support the VBA may provide includes (but is not limited to):
- providing access to regulatory experts and technical specialists (for example, to review and advise on test specifications or be interviewed on a specific technical or regulatory issue), and
- providing access to data, case studies or other information held by the VBA (subject to confidentiality and privacy requirements being satisfied, and the resource implications for the VBA in providing this access).
How much financial and in-kind support is available?
The VBA will decide on successful applicants and how much support (financial and/or in-kind) they will be awarded. The level of support will be informed by the scale and complexity of the proposed research, the anticipated research impact, opportunities for other parties to contribute financial and/or in-kind support to the research, and competing fiscal priorities.
The VBA may decide to offer a lower level of support than what was requested by an applicant.
When will the VBA’s support commence?
Financial and in-kind support to successful applicants will commence following the execution of a research grant funding agreement. Supported research is expected to commence from September 2024.
The payment of grant funds will be made in instalments and be associated with the achievement of milestones documented in the funding agreement.
Funding will be released to the grantee’s university by way of an electronic funds transfer. Funding will not be paid to an individual researcher.
Funding agreement
Grant recipients will be required to enter into a research grant funding agreement with the VBA and comply with its terms and conditions.
The funding agreement addresses matters such as grant inclusions, exclusions, conditions, intellectual property right and ownership, publication of research papers associated with the research supported through the grant, reporting requirements, deliverables, quality of written research reports, payment schedule, termination clause, funding agreement commencement and conclusion date, maintenance of appropriate insurance, a requirement to acknowledge the VBA in communications about the research, and allowing the VBA to use and distribute the research.
The grantee’s reporting obligations under the funding agreement will be proportionate to the scale, complexity and risk profile of the funded research.
Potential applicants should review the Research Grant Funding Agreement template (PDF, 718.68 KB). The Funding Agreement template is provided only as a reference guide and to provide general information for potential applicants before they apply. No claim is made as to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the content of the template at any time. The VBA may choose to amend the template in any way it deems fit, at any time without notice. Users of this template are strongly encouraged to seek suitable advice before taking any course of action related to information expressed in the template.
Assessment
Assessment process
Applications will be assessed between April and June 2024.
Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising VBA personnel, and chaired by the Manager, Research and Evaluation. Other VBA personnel or external experts may be invited to advise the panel on technical or probity issues, but they will not participate in the assessment process and will be required to declare any actual or perceived conflicts of interest before
In late-June 2024, the VBA will decide which applications are successful and how much support (financial and/or in-kind) to award, conditional upon agreement to the terms and conditions reflected in a funding agreement.
Selection criteria
Applications for a research grant will be assessed and shortlisted against the following selection criteria:
Criteria | Criteria description | Relevant considerations (note: non-exhaustive list) |
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1. Strategy | The proposed research focuses on:
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| 2. Collaboration and innovation | The proposed research will be informed by:
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3. Methodology and resourcing (Part 1) | The proposed research methodology is clear, transparent, appropriate and achievable. |
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3. Methodology and resourcing (Part 2) | Appropriate resources are available to meet proposed research objectives, and the proposed budget is demonstrably sufficient to procure them. |
Well-articulated identification of project risks and strong risk mitigation strategies. |
| 4. Research translation and impact | The proposed research has measurable real-world impact and can inform and improve the building and plumbing industries and consumer outcomes. |
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| 5. Value for money for VBA | The proposed research represents value for money for the VBA. |
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Additional considerations include:
- reputational risk to the VBA of funding the research.
- whether the applicant has satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements of any previous and/or current contracts/agreements with the VBA.
- whether the applicant has demonstrated an appropriate strategy to manage any declared conflicts of interest.
Outcome of application
All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by email by late-June or early-July 2024.
Key dates
Activity | Date |
|---|---|
Applications open | Tuesday 6 February 2024 |
Information webinar for potential applicants | Thursday 22 February 2024 |
Applications close | Tuesday 2 April 2024 |
Applications assessed | April to June 2024 |
VBA makes funding decisions | June 2024 |
Applications notified of application outcome | Late-June to early July 2024 |
Research Grant Funding Agreements executed | August to September 2024 |
Research Grant Funding Agreements commence | From September 2024 |
Information Webinar
The VBA hosted an information webinar for researchers from Australian universities interested in applying for a VBA research grant on 22 February 2024, providing an overview of the Research Grant Program, an explanation of application and selection process, responses to frequently ask questions, and reflections of previous grant recipients.
You can download the information webinar presentation slides (PDF, 2614.03 KB).
Important information
Important documents
The following documents about the VBA are recommended reading to inform the development of an application for a research grant:
- Research
- Regulatory Policy Statement
- Regulatory Priorities
- Minister’s Statement of Expectations 2023
- Reports (Annual Report, Proactive Inspections Program, Compliance and Enforcement, Building Documentation Audit Program)
Other relevant documents include the Expert Panel’s comprehensive review of Victoria’s building system Stage One and Stage Two reports to the Victorian Government.
Conflicts of interest
There may be an actual or potential conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest, between an applicant, personnel or research partners and VBA staff, any member of a VBA committee or the VBA Board.
An applicant is required to declare, as part of the application, any perceived or existing conflicts of interests or that, to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, there is no conflict of interest. If the applicant identifies an actual, apparent or perceived conflict of interest after submitting an application and before being advised of the outcome, they must inform the VBA in writing immediately (by email to research@vba.vic.gov.au).
A declared conflict of interest does not automatically preclude an applicant from being eligible for a research grant. The VBA will assess all declared conflicts of interest on a case-by-case basis.
Confidentiality
Application documents, information received from applicants and internal documentation about applications will be kept confidential and stored securely.
VBA communications
Successful grant recipients will be communicated externally by the VBA through various channels, including the VBA website, social media, media releases, and in various VBA reports, including its Annual Report.
Privacy
Personal information that is collected through the application process will be handled in accordance with the VBA’s information privacy policy.
Past Research Grant Programs
Watch a short video where past grant recipients introduce their VBA-supported research and share insights based on their experiences with the VBA’s Research Grant Program.
The Research Grant Program 2022 focused on research that will assist in reducing moisture ingress and water damage in Victorian buildings. Successful grant were:
- The University of Sydney: Improving building envelope resilience to moisture damage
- RMIT University: Proof of concept for the development of a Virtual Reality self-evaluation platform to reduce non-compliant building and plumbing work
- Swinburne University of Technology: Investigation of water leakage in residential apartment (concrete) balconies
The inaugural Research Grant Program 2021 supported research will improve the quality of the built environment and support a technologically advanced and innovative industry. Successful grant recipients were:
- Deakin University: Investigating passive fire protection defects in residential multi-owned properties
- RMIT University: Pre-normative research on the fire safety of solar building envelopes
- University of Tasmania: Assessment of mould growth risk in regulatory compliant 6 Star and 7 Star new homes in Victoria
Frequently asked questions
No. Researchers from any university in Australia can apply.
No. The VBA Research Grant Program is only open to researchers at Australian universities.
The VBA recognises the unique abilities of researchers within Australia universities to provide academic expertise and rigorous research. The Research Grant Program is intended to boost the VBA’s research capabilities by backing academic researchers to find new, innovative and practical solutions to improve consumer outcomes and enable building occupants to enjoy a safe and compliant built environment.
Yes. You may submit an application for proposed research that was not successful in a previous round if it aligns with the focus of the 2024 Research Grant Program. You must submit your application on the Research Grant Program 2024 Application Form (PDF, 357.14 KB).
All previous applicants were provided an opportunity to seek feedback on the outcome of their application after they were advised of the outcome. To ensure fairness and equity to all applicants, the VBA will not provide feedback to applicants who are considering re-submitting an application that was not successful in a previous round.
Yes. There is no limit to the number of applications that an individual researcher or university may submit. It is recommended that a researcher and/or educational institution focus their efforts on submitting one application of high quality. It is unlikely that the VBA would support more than one application from the same researcher in a funding round, or more than one application from the same university in a funding round.
The VBA is unlikely to contact applicants to request further information in support of an application if the assessment panel considers that insufficient detail has been provided to enable proper consideration of the application.
No. An applicant does not require a certain title/research level to apply for a VBA research grant. However, we expect that the proposed research and application for a VBA research grant is supported by the educational institution and will be appropriately supervised and managed.
Funding will not be released to an educational institution until a funding agreement has been executed by an appropriately authorised delegate of the educational institution and the VBA. The funds will not be released to individual researchers.
Before applying for a research grant, applicants should ensure they have the appropriate approval within their educational institution to submit the application on behalf of the educational institution.
No. To ensure fairness and equity to all applicants and in considering internal arrangements for the assessment of applications, the VBA will not consider applications for a research grant that are submitted after the advertised closing date.
Yes. An applicant can attach additional information to their application if there is insufficient space in the relevant section of the application form, or if they wish to insert figures, flow charts or tables. Applicants should ensure that appropriate references are made between the application form and the additional pages, and that the additional information is relevant and concise.
Yes. Applications for a research grant should focus on issues that are relevant to the regulation of the building and plumbing industries in Victoria.
Research that does not specifically focus on Victoria may still be of relevance to the regulation of the building and plumbing industries in Victoria. Applicants will need to demonstrate this relevance in their application.
The research we undertake or support is primarily applied research, with projects or collaborations seeking to find solutions to specific problems or to advance our understanding of systemic issues and opportunities for resolution.
The VBA is open to supporting research of varying scale, complexity and of different research methodologies.
No. The selection criteria against which applications will be assessed are not weighted.
A cap for individual grants has not been set. The VBA’s financial and in-kind contribution to successful research grants will be determined by the Board considering the scale and complexity of the research, and the VBA’s budget and resource capacity.
The VBA may decide to partially fund proposed research. Applicants are encouraged to present their proposed research project in stages, with corresponding milestones and deliverables.
The financial component of previously awarded VBA research grants has ranged between $30,000 and $110,000.
The VBA’s previous research grants have not fully funded the proposed research. Contributions have been provided by the applicant’s university and industry partners.
The VBA has not set a time limit by which research supported through a VBA research grant must be completed. However, the duration of the research should be commensurate with the scale and complexity of the proposed research.
The VBA appreciates that some research projects will require a longer period than others to complete, however, it expects to see a return on the investment it makes in research within a reasonable period.
Applicants are encouraged to consider a staged approach to the conduct of the research and deliverables, and opportunities for research insights to influence within the regulatory cycle (e.g., National Construction Code revisions and other Government initiatives).
The VBA will consider supporting research where financial and/or in-kind contributions to the research are made by other parties. However, the VBA expects those other parties and their contribution (financial and in-kind) to be identified in the application for a research grant.
The VBA has awarded research grants for research where other parties have contributed financial and in-kind support, including by relevant industry associations.
The VBA is open to considering supporting applications for research grants where two or more educational institutions are partnering in the research. However, the applicants must advise the VBA in their application how the research work will be distributed and supervised, and how the funding will be utilised. It is the VBA’s preference to enter into a funding agreement with one educational institution per research grant.
If the VBA receives grant applications for research of a similar nature it may suggest collaboration between the researchers involved in the different applications. This would only be done with the consent of each applicant.
A research grant may be used to fund reasonable travel expenses necessary to conduct the research. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Permitted and prohibited uses of funding provided under a research grant will be set out in a funding agreement between the VBA and the grantee.
No. Funding provided under a research grant is not intended to be used to fund expenses such as the purchase of laboratory infrastructure or specialist software that would be reasonably expected to be provided by the educational institution undertaking the research.
Permitted and prohibited uses of funding provided under a research grant will be set out in a funding agreement between the VBA and the grantee.
No. Funding provided under a research grant cannot be used to fund delivery of a course. However, the VBA is open to supporting research that will help identify gaps in education and training, and opportunities to close those gaps.
The in-kind support the VBA may provide under a research grant includes (but is not limited to):
- providing access to regulatory experts and technical specialists (for example, to review and advise on test specifications or be interviewed on a specific technical or regulatory issue), and
- providing access to data, case studies or other information held by the VBA (subject to confidentiality and privacy requirements being satisfied, and the resource implications for the VBA in providing this access).
The in-kind support will include VBA review and feedback on draft papers/reports arising from the supported research.
The VBA is open to considering suggestions for in-kind support on a case-by-case basis, as identified by applicants in their applications.
The VBA will not seek to own any Intellectual Property resulting from research supported through a research grant (Funded IP). However, the VBA will require the grantee to grant the VBA a licence to use, reproduce and adapt the Funded IP for its own purposes and allow publishing of the Funded IP on the VBA’s intranet, website, media channels, and as otherwise agreed with the grantee. This will be a condition of a funding agreement between the VBA and the grantee.
The VBA will not provide advice or feedback on specific research ideas or proposals before they have been submitted and successful applications have been selected. However, the VBA can clarify the intention of the grant program and the outcomes the VBA is trying to achieve.