FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Dust Diseases Board grants.

    Diseases Covered by DDB Research and Support Organisation Funding

  • What diseases are included in the Dust Diseases Board's research and Support Organisation funding?

    The diseases included in the Dust Diseases Board's research and Support Organisation funding are specified in the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 – Schedule 1 of Dust Diseases and are listed below.

    Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 – Schedule 1 of Dust Diseases Causal Dust
    Asbestos induced carcinoma - malignant disease of the lower respiratory tract and gas exchange areas of the lung. Asbestos
    Asbestos related pleural diseases - extensive fibrosis of the visceral pleura which is the lining of the lungs and interlobar fissures. Asbestos
    Diffuse dust-related pulmonary fibrosis - fibrotic condition of the lung parenchyma (portion of the lung involved in gas exchange) and is a sub-type of Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease. This condition is distinct from Coal Dust Pneumoconiosis. Coal and Silica
    Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis - an immune-mediated disorder that arises due to sensitisation to one or more organic agents in the workplace. 

    Includes:

    Bagassosis

    Farmers’ lung    		  




    Thermoactinomyces vulgaris from mouldy sugarcane

    Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula from mouldy hay, grain, silage
    Mesothelioma - Malignant disease of the inside lining of the chest wall (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum).
    		  Asbestos
    Pneumoconiosis (any form) - Diffuse non-malignant interstitial lung diseases typically caused by inhaling different types of dusts including inorganic dusts such as minerals and metals. These dusts cause inflammation which lead to fibrosis or nodule formation. Exposure typically occurs in an occupational setting.

    Includes:

    Aluminosis     - may also be classified as granulomatous lung disease.

    Asbestosis

    Berylliosis     - may also be classified as granulomatous lung disease.

    Byssinosis - an asthma-like disorder stemming from exposure to organic dust and has a different pattern of abnormality to other pneumonoconioses; is sometimes grouped with pneumoconioses or alternatively under the classification "An airway disease due to specific organic dust".

    Coal dust pneumoconiosis

    Hard metal pneumoconiosis     - may also be classified as granulomatous lung disease.

    Silicosis – includes acute, accelerated, chronic (simple; complicated) forms.

    Talcosis    		  






    Aluminium

    Asbestos


    Beryllium

    Cotton, flax, hemp or sisal dust



    Coal dust


    Primarily Tungsten and Cobalt

    Silica

    Talc
    Silico-tuberculosis - tuberculosis (an infection that usually affects the lungs) in the presence of silicosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in association with silicosis
    Silica-induced carcinoma of the lung - malignant disease of the lower respiratory tract and gas exchange areas of the lung. Silica
    Systemic sclerosis (also known as scleroderma) - an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue and can cause damage to the lung. Silica

    Note: Occupational interstitial lung diseases may fall into more than one category (refer Hoy & Brims Med J Aust. 2017 Nov 20;207(10):443-448). Examples of this include byssinosis, aluminosis and berylliosis.


    Eligibility and Location Requirements

  • Do I need to be an Australian citizen to apply for a DDB grant?

    Eligibility requirements for DDB grants vary based on the grant program. Most grants require applicants to be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Some programs may also accept applications from individuals who have applied for permanent residency, provided they submit evidence of their application status. Each program has specific residency and location requirements, detailed in the tables below, which ensure applicants are based in Australia for the majority of the funding period.

    Research Stream Grants Program

    Residency Requirement 

    Item Criteria
    Location Requirement Must reside in Australia for more than 50% of the project’s duration.
    Absence Approval Extended absences require approval and should not exceed 50% of the project period.
    Citizenship and Residency The DDB will consider applications from Australian permanent residents or citizens. If you are not an Australian permanent resident or citizen but have applied for permanent residency, the Board may consider your proposal. Please provide evidence of the status of your in-progress application with the Department of Immigration. While your funding application for a DDB grant is in progress, you will need to notify us of any change to the processing status.

    Researcher Development Stream Awards Program

    DDB Early Career Researcher Awards

    PhD Scholarships

    Residency Requirement

    Item Criteria
    Location Requirement The Candidate must be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
    Citizenship and Residency At the time of acceptance and for the duration of the grant, the PhD Scholarships Candidate must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

    Post-Doctoral Fellowships

    Residency Requirement

    Item Criteria
    Location Requirement The Candidate must be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
    Citizenship and Residency At the time of acceptance and for the duration of the grant, the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Candidate must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

    Dust Diseases Clinical (DDC) Researcher Awards

    Clinical Fellowships

    Residency Requirement

    Item Criteria
    Location Requirement The Candidate must be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
    Citizenship and Residency At the time of acceptance and for the duration of the grant, the Clinical Fellowship Candidate must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

     

    Grant Funding and Application Cycles

  • How often does DDB offer grant funding?

    The Dust Diseases Board offers grant funding through an annual funding round. Key dates for each round are confirmed closer to the opening date and can be found on the Key Dates section of our website.

    If your application was unsuccessful in the previous round and you wish to resubmit, you must seek feedback from us to strengthen your future submission. Please note that you cannot submit the same application twice. A resubmitted application must be substantially changed and improved to address the feedback and enhance its overall quality.

  • How much funding is available in each grant round? Is there a limit on individual grant amounts?

    The Dust Diseases Board does not impose a cap on the grant amount applicants can request, as each project’s budget is assessed based on its specific needs. However, funding pools are allocated per funding round as follows:

    • Up to $500,000 for Discovery & Innovation Grants projects of up to 3 years,
    • Up to $1,250,000 for Research Translation Grants projects spanning 3 to 5 years (depending on the research’s nature and stage), and
    • Up to $624,000 for Dust Prevention Grants projects of up to 3 years.
    • Up to $600,000 for Support Organisation Stream Grants Program projects of up to 3 years.

    For the $500,000 funding pool:

    Generally, funding for individual projects ranges from $100,000 to $300,000. The Board may, however, fund projects with smaller or larger budgets when proposals demonstrate alignment with the DDB’s Strategic Priorities 2025-2029 and DDB Grant Strategy Guiding Principle

    For the $1,250,000 funding pool:

    Generally, funding for individual projects ranges from $300,000 to $750,000. The Board may, however, fund projects with smaller or larger budgets when proposals demonstrate alignment with the DDB’s Strategic Priorities 2025-2029 and DDB Grant Strategy Guiding Principles.

    For the $624,000 funding pool:

    Generally, funding for individual projects ranges from $124,800 to $374,400. The Board may, however, fund projects with smaller or larger budgets when proposals demonstrate alignment with the DDB’s Strategic Priorities 2025-2029 and DDB Grant Strategy Guiding Principles.

    For the $600,000 funding pool:

    Generally, funding for individual projects ranges from $200,000 to $400,000. The Board may, however, fund projects with smaller or larger budgets when proposals demonstrate alignment with the DDB’s Strategic Priorities 2025-2029 and DDB Grant Strategy Guiding Principles.

    In specific funding streams, the available funding and project durations are as follows:

    Grant Program  Total Project Funding Pool Maximum Project Duration
    Research Stream Grants Program
    Discovery & Innovation Grants $500,000 per funding round  Up to 3 years
    Research Translation Grants $1,250,000 per funding round Up to 3-5 years (varies by project)
    Dust Diseases Prevention Grants $624,000 per funding round Up to 3 years

     

    Grant Program  Total Available Maximum Project Duration
    Researcher Development Stream Awards Program
    DDB Early Career Researcher Awards    
    PhD Scholarships $40,000 pa Up to 3 years
    Post-Doctoral Fellowships $80,000 pa Up to 3 years
    Dust Diseases Clinical (DDC) Researcher Awards
    Clinical Fellowships $80,000 pa Up to 3 years

     

    Grant Program  Total Project Funding Pool Maximum Project Duration
    Support Organisation Stream Grants Program
    Support Organisation Grants $600,000 per funding round Up to 3 years

    Financial questions

  • What costs are covered by the grant?

    Note: This Q&A specifically applies to the Research Stream Grants Program funded by the DDB.

    The grant covers only direct research or project costs. Allowable use of funds includes the following:

    Personnel Expenses

    • Salary Support: Costs for research staff, such as associates, assistants, technicians, and laboratory attendants, at appropriate salary levels, including up to 30% on-costs at the employing organisation.

    Equipment and Supplies

    • Equipment: Costs for purchasing and maintaining essential equipment, including specialised computer hardware and software required for the project.
    • Maintenance/Experimental Supplies: Consumables necessary for conducting the research.

    Travel Expenses

    • Project-Related Travel: Justified travel expenses directly related to the project’s progress and objectives.
    • Essential Travel Costs: Essential travel, including fieldwork, up to $15,000 over the project duration.

    Publication and Outreach Expenses

    Costs for publishing research findings and conducting outreach activities.

    All expenditures must directly support the research project and comply with the terms of the Funding Agreement.

  • What costs are not covered by the grant?

    Note: This Q&A specifically applies to the Research Stream Grants Program funded by the DDB.

    The grant does not cover the following costs:

    Indirect Expenses

    Costs not directly tied to the project, such as professional membership fees, professional development courses, patent application and maintenance fees, entertainment expenses, insurance, or mobile phones.

    Salaries for CIs and PIs

    • Salaries or on-costs for Chief Investigators (CIs) or Partner Investigators (PIs), whether partially or fully funded.
    • Stipends for CIs or PIs pursuing Higher Degree by Research (HDR).

    Educational Fees and Liabilities

    Costs for international student fees or liabilities related to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) for students.

    Consultancy Services

    Fees for contracted research or consultancy services involving tasks with minimal innovation or low risk.

    Non-Research Production Items

    Costs associated with creating computer programs, research aids, data warehouses, catalogues, bibliographies, or teaching materials unless they qualify as ‘research.’

    Basic Facilities

    Items and facilities expected to be provided by the Administering Organisation/Institution, including:

    • Bench fees or laboratory access fees
    • Basic library access
    • Work accommodation (laboratory and office space)
    • Basic computer facilities (desktops, laptops, printers, standard software)
    • Standard reference materials or abstracting services  

    Capital Works and Infrastructure

    Capital works and general infrastructure costs.

    Additional Non-Allowable Costs

    The following costs are not covered by the grant:

    • Administrative Overheads: General office supplies, rent, and utility bills.
    • Personal Expenses: Any personal costs incurred by specified personnel.
    • Entertainment Expenses: Costs related to entertainment or hospitality.
    • Non-Essential Travel: Travel expenses not critical to the project’s success.
    • Office Equipment: Purchases of office furniture and non-specialised equipment not directly related to the research project.
    • Unapproved Equipment: Equipment not directly related to the project’s objectives.

    These restrictions ensure grant funds are used solely for eligible research or project expenses as specified in the Funding Agreement.

  • What costs are covered by the grant for Support Organisations?

    The grant covers only expenses directly supporting the approved service or program.

    Allowable costs include:

    Personnel Expenses

    Salary Support: Salaries for Support Organisation staff employed by the Administering Organisation at appropriate levels, including up to 30% on-costs.

    Equipment and Supplies

    • Equipment: Costs for purchasing and maintaining essential equipment, including specialised computer hardware and software required for the program/service.
    • Maintenance/Consumable Supplies: Consumables necessary for conducting the program/service.

    Travel Expenses

    • Project-Related Travel: Justified travel expenses directly related to the program’s progress and objectives.
    • Essential Travel Costs: Essential travel expenses, including outreach work, up to $15,000 over the project duration.
  • What costs are not covered by the grant for Support Organisations?

    The grant does not cover the following costs:  

    Indirect Expenses

    Costs not directly tied to the program, such as professional membership fees, patent application and maintenance fees, entertainment expenses, insurance, and mobile phones.  

    Basic Facilities

    Items and facilities expected to be provided by the Administering Organisation, including:

    • Work accommodation (office space).
    • Basic computer facilities (desktops, laptops, printers, standard software).  

    Additional Non-Allowable Costs

    The following costs are not covered by the grant:

    • Administrative Overheads: General office supplies, rent, and utility bills.
    • Personal Expenses: Any personal costs incurred by specified personnel.
    • Entertainment Expenses: Costs related to entertainment or hospitality.
    • Non-Essential Travel: Travel expenses not critical to the program/service’s success.
    • Office Equipment: Purchases of office furniture and non-specialised equipment not directly related to the program/service.
    • Unapproved Equipment: Equipment not directly aligned with the program/service’s objectives.

    Reporting and compliance

  • What are the reporting requirements for my grant?

    Grantees must submit regular Project Progress Reports, a Final Project Report, Annual Financial Acquittal Reports, and a Final Financial Acquittal Report. Detailed information about these reporting requirements can be found in the Schedule 2 Project, Reporting and Payment Schedule section of your Funding Agreement.

    For copies of the reporting templates, please visit: Grant Resources

  • How long does it take for my submitted reports to be reviewed and approved by DDC?

    Each report submitted during the grant period undergoes a review process that typically takes up to 20 business days. The DDC Research and Education Team's Research Officer conducts the initial review, followed by approval from the Manager of Research and Education. Please ensure you adhere to the reporting timelines specified in the Schedule 2 Project, Reporting, and Payment Schedule section of your Funding Agreement to facilitate timely review and approval.

  • What happens if I fail to meet the reporting deadlines?

    Missing reporting deadlines can lead to delayed payments and may impact your eligibility for future funding. Instances of non-compliance will be recorded in the grantee’s record and considered in future funding decisions to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of the funding process.

    If non-compliance continues for more than three months beyond the report's due date without satisfactory communication or an approved variation, the matter will be escalated to the DDB Board. This may result in discussions about terminating the grant.

    For the full Procedures for Dealing with Delayed Reports and Non-compliance, please refer to the Induction Kit for New Grantees available on our website.

    Project changes

  • Can I make changes to the project once it has started?

    Any changes to the project that affect the Funding Agreement, must be either approved by the DDB Board or notified to the Board during the next scheduled Board meeting, depending on the nature of the variation.

    To initiate this process, grantees must submit a Project Variation Request Form through the Research Office of their Administering Organisation/Institution. For research organisations or Support Organisations that do not have a Research Office, you may contact the DDC directly at ddcgrants@icare.nsw.gov.au. It is essential to submit the variation request promptly, allowing sufficient time for review and inclusion in the Board meeting agenda. Approval must be obtained before implementing any changes to ensure compliance with the Funding Agreement.

    For further details on the DDB variations process and requirements, please refer to the Variations to DDC Funding Agreement User Manual available on DDB website.

    Record-keeping

  • What records am I required to maintain during the project?

    You must maintain detailed financial and project records as specified in the Funding Agreement. These records are essential for monitoring, reporting, and compliance purposes and must be available for potential audits.