Seed Funding Grants

STATUS: Open. Applications close 31 July (COB) 2023.

The Indigenous Knowledge Institute (IKI) aims to advance research and engagement in Indigenous knowledge systems. The IKI is one of the Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institutes aiming to promote research linkages and collaboration across the University and play a lead role in articulating University research to external audiences.

About the grant scheme

The IKI invites proposals for innovative and interdisciplinary research projects with a focus on Indigenous knowledges. Indigenous knowledge, sometimes called traditional or local knowledge, refers to the understandings and practices developed by Indigenous peoples through thousands of years of experience. Indigenous knowledge systems are characteristically holistic, relational, and rooted in a strong and continuing connection with the land, sky and waters. The research project should address an identified need or gap in the field of Indigenous knowledge research.

Information on previous successful projects can be found on our website.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Researchers from all disciplines across the University of Melbourne are eligible to apply for projects up to a maximum of $20,000. Researchers can apply with multiple projects but will only be awarded one project as a lead researcher.

Chief Investigators named on the application must be existing University of Melbourne academic staff employed at no less than 0.2 FTE until at least October 2024.

Further guidance on eligibility is detailed below in the Seed Funding Information Pack.

Proposals will be assessed against five selection criteria:

1. Indigenous knowledge research advancement
2. Commitment to partnership
3. Interdisciplinarity and approach
4. Impact and researcher development
5. Feasibility and budget

Key dates

Key dates for this seed funding opportunity are set out in the table below:

Guidance on equitable remuneration of community research participants can be found at the Melbourne Social Equity Institute's website.

How to apply

Download the Seed Funding Information Pack

Download the Application Form (PDF 934.9 KB)

Download the Application Form (DOCX 509.0 KB)

Send your completed application form to Indigenous-knowledge@unimelb.edu.au by the due date.

For more information contact us at Indigenous-knowledge@unimelb.edu.au or attend one of our Seed Funding Information Sessions.