What is the NDRP?

NDRP stands for National Disability Research Partnership. At the moment, it is in an establishment phase. The vision is for NDRP to facilitate a collaborative and inclusive disability research program that builds the evidence for successful innovation in policy and practice. The establishment phase is led by Anne Kavanagh and Bruce Bonyhady, who together with the NDRP working party guide the deliverables. The establishment phase is building the foundations of a longer-term Partnership, including guiding principles, a governance model, a research agenda, guide to research, capability mapping and one round of research funding. 

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How is it funded?

The establishment phase is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services who recognises the opportunities presented by disability research funding. The Melbourne Disability Institute at University of Melbourne received the funding for the establishment phase. We are exploring options for funding the longer-term NDRP through our governance consultation. 

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What has happened so far?

We started work in July 2020. The first thing we did was set up a working party. Over the past two year, the Working Party has been reaching out to the disability community for advice and feedback on how a National Disability Research Partnership can best be established. We are very grateful to everyone who took the time to do our surveys, talk to us or send us ideas. We have taken it all into account in shaping our recommendations:

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We also released a call for proposals for disability research projects, and funded nine projects. In December 2021 we were delighted to share the announcement of funding for an enduring NDRP. 

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What's next?

We are writing up our recommendations ​for how a longer-term NDRP could operate. We are submitting this to the Department of Social Services by end of June 2022. After that, we will enter a transition period of 6-8 months during which we will set up the long-term NDRP so it is ready to receive ongoing funding from early 2023.

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What is the $12.5 million for?

This is for the next phase of NDRP. The current establishment phase ends in June 2022, which was focused on doing the work and consultation needed to set up a new entity. The $12.5 of funding announced in December is for an enduring National Disability Research Partnership, which will facilitate inclusive disability research. The enduring NDRP will start in early 2023. This funding is for another 2-3 years.

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Will there be more funding rounds?

Yes: the NDRP will facilitate regular funding rounds to support inclusive disability research that delivers on the priorities set out in the research agenda. The NDRP receives its next round of funding in early 2023, and we anticipate running a funding round sometime in 2023. 

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Who are the partners of NDRP?

There are no official partners yet. Many of our working party members are from leading universities around Australia but this does not make those universities official partners. One of the deliverables is a governance model which we will draft in consultation with the disability community. Part of the governance model is to think about the partnership; how to become a partner and who. If you'd like to join this discussion please complete the form here: governance consultation.

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How is the University of Melbourne involved? What about the University of Sydney?

The Melbourne Disability Institute at the University of Melbourne received the seed funding to establish the NDRP.  Directors Anne Kavanagh and Bruce Bonyhady are also professors at the University of Melbourne. 

The University of Sydney is leading the consortium that was awarded the tender to deliver the national disability research agenda. This project involves three phases: research mapping, consultations and prioritisation. You may have received a research agenda survey from the University of Sydney and the NDRP. 

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How is the NDRP Working Party managing conflicts of interest?

We have developed a conflict of interest policy which can be accessed at this link: Conflict of Interest policy. For any project that is likely to be put out to tender or involve an open funding round, Working Party members are asked to declare real, perceived or potential conflicts of interest. Any Working Party member who has declared a conflict of interest will not hear, read or otherwise learn of any detail of the project. Working Party members who are directly involved in shaping funding rounds or tendered projects will not be involved in any funding proposals, in any capacity. They will also not discuss any part of the project nor give general or specific advice to anybody. This exclusion applies only to the NDRP Working Party. Colleagues or direct reports of Working Party members may be considered for tenders or submit funding proposals without the involvement or support of the Working Party member.