The Marigold Southey & Freemasons Foundation Victoria SCI Research Grant Guidelines and Application
Applications open 2 March – 3 May, 2026
GRANT OBJECTIVE
A grant of up to $60,000 in total will be available over one to two years to support Victorian-based early and mid-career researchers to lead high-impact spinal cord injury research aimed at improving treatment and care outcomes.
The objectives of the grant are to:
- provide flexibility to pursue important new research directions and/or establish new collaborations, as needed,
- foster innovative and creative research in spinal cord injury,
- support research activities spanning the research continuum from discovery to implementation,
- enable research translation, including progression from clinical trials to adoption in policy and clinical practice, and
- help strengthen research track records of early and mid-career researchers, and to support them in building an independent career within the area of spinal cord injury.
In addition to funding support, the SRI may, at its discretion, provide additional non-financial assistance – such as advice and support with consumer engagement – as determined through consultation with the grant recipient.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for this grant applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen; have permanent resident status; a New Zealand citizen with Australian work rights; or eligible visa holder currently residing in Australia,
- have an academic and/or clinical appointment within a Victorian-based university, hospital or research institute,
- have completed a PhD (or equivalent) within the last 15 years,
- have agreement from their Head of Department to release the applicant to undertake the research project within the specified timeframes, provide appropriate infrastructure and support, and
- be able to administer the grant through an NHMRC Approved Administrative Organisation.
FUNDING GUIDELINES
- The value of the grant is up to $60,000 over one to two years.
- Applicants must submit their applications using the online form provided.
- Payments will only be made to the administering institution of the grant recipient.
- Funds must only be used in support of the project as outlined by the applicant in the grant application.
- Funds cannot be used for university or institute expenses or administration.
- The successful applicant will be required to acknowledge the SRI and the support of the Marigold Southey & Freemasons Foundation Victoria SCI Research Grant in any published work and presentations.
- The successful applicant will submit a progress report after 12 months detailing outcomes against milestones, and a final report at the conclusion of the proposed research.
- The successful applicant may be asked to talk about their research at relevant SRI events (this may be in person or via video).
You can learn more about the SRI’s process for advertising, applying, assessing and awarding the SCI PhD Top-Up Grant below.
EVALUATION
- Criterion 1: Impact and significance to SCI and alignment with the Spinal Research Institute’s mission
- Criterion 2: Quality/excellence of the research, including design and methodology
- Criterion 3: Expertise, collaborative capacity, and feasibility
- Criterion 4: Academic achievement, professional references, and potential for scholastic success of the applicant
TO APPLY
Applicants are required to complete an online application form. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Submissions must include the following:
Applicant information
- Personal details
- Institution name and location
- Supervisor details
Supporting statements including:
- Lay summary
- Personal statement
- Consumer engagement
Document upload
- Research plan (maximum 4 pages including figures and one additional page for references, so the document must be no more than 5 pages in total)
- Team details
- Budget justification
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum two pages) plus a list of publications including your ‘top 5’
- Letter from your supervisor/Head of Department detailing the applicants ability to lead the project and their potential to develop as an independent researcher, and also confirming the availability of resources to ensure the successful completion of the proposed project
Advertising, assessing, and awarding the Marigold Southey & Freemasons Foundation Victoria SCI Research Grant.
The information below explains the SRI’s process for advertising, assessing and awarding the Marigold Southey & Freemasons Foundation Victoria SCI Research Grant.
ADVERTISING AND APPLICATION PROCESS
A notification/invitation for the Grant applications is advertised, at a minimum, via
- Email – to the SRI’s newsletter distribution lists for Plexus, SCoRH, and the Spinal Cord Research Hub
- SRI’s social media channels – Facebook, X and LinkedIn
- SRI’s website – thesri.org
The Grant notification provides details of
- The purpose and objective of the grant
- What the grant will fund
- Funding guidelines
- Applicant eligibility criteria
- Application instructions
APPLICATION ASSESSMENT
Applications are assessed by the SRI’s Grant Review Panel (the Panel). The Panel will comprise people with research expertise, clinical expertise, and lived experience of SCI.
If a member of the Panel has an association or conflict of interest with an applicant, they will not assess that particular application.
Shortlisted candidates may be requested to attend an online interview.
All eligible applications are assessed independently by Panel members and reviewed against the following criteria.
- Criterion 1: Impact and significance to SCI and alignment with the Spinal Research Institute’s mission
- Criterion 2: Quality/excellence of the research including design and methodology
- Criterion 3: Expertise, collaborative capacity and feasibility
- Criterion 4: Academic achievement, professional references, and potential for scholastic success of the applicant
AWARDING OF FUNDING
Based on assessment results, the Grant Review Panel will select the successful applicant and recommend them to the SRI Chief Executive Officer, who then submits the final recommendation for funding to the SRI’s Board of Directors.
The decision of the Grant Review Panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The SRI will advise applicants of the outcome of their application via email.
A Letter of Offer and Funding Agreement stipulating the grant conditions will be sent to the successful applicant by the CEO. The successful applicant is asked to accept the Letter of Offer in writing.
The SRI reserves the right to not fund any application.
The SRI reserves the right to suspend or withdraw funding at its sole discretion if it becomes aware of any misleading, false, or incomplete information provided during the application or reporting process. Funding may also be withdrawn in cases of unsatisfactory research progress; failure to meet agreed milestones or reporting obligations; breaches of research integrity (including fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other misconduct); failure to obtain or maintain required ethics or regulatory approvals; mismanagement or misuse of funds; non‑compliance with relevant laws, policies, or funding conditions; significant unreported changes to project scope, budget, personnel, or timelines; or if the lead investigator ceases employment or affiliation with the host institution and no suitable alternative arrangements are approved by the SRI.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about this grant, the process, or the application form, please email us at grants@thesri.org.
