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RESEARCH
2026 Disability Research Funding
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The NDRP’s 2026 Disability Research Funding opens in February 2026. This will be our second funding round as an independent organisation, and a large pool of funding will be available for projects on two topics: Safety of people with disability, and Accessible and inclusive communities.
Our 2026 Disability Research Funding continues our commitment to driving systemic change, and strengthening disability-led research in Australia.
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2026 Disability Research Funding key information:
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Research topics: Safety of people with disability, and Accessible and inclusive communities.
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Applications to open February 2026
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Research by and with people with disability
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Announcement in February 2026 will share
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total funding available for this round
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grant guidelines and information
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Frequently Asked Questions.
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Research topics
Our research is guided by the NDRP Research Agenda, which was developed over two years in collaboration with the community.
As well as the previously announced topic, Safety of people with disability, we have expanded this funding round to an additional topic, Accessible and inclusive communities.
For more detailed information about the research topics, including underpinning themes, read more in the NDRP Research Agenda.
Building partnerships
The NDRP funds research led by and with people with disability. We fund research and work in partnership with the disability community and their organisations, in ways that are guided by the NDRP Principles.
Researchers interested in the funding round are encouraged to start building partnerships early.
We’ve put together a resource pack to support teams to build respectful, fair and inclusive partnerships. The pack includes tips, checklists, and templates you can use straight away.
Download the partnerships resource pack.
Co-designing research
Research teams must include people with lived experience of the issues being addressed, researchers skilled in inclusive disability research, and professionals with deep knowledge of the policy, research and practice landscape.
Strong co-design teams bring together a range of perspectives, experiences, and skills. Co-design should be part of the research project from the beginning.
NDRP Research Funding 2025
The National Disability Research Partnership funds research by and with people with disability. We aim to build a connected, inclusive community of researchers working in partnership with people with disability.​
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Commissioned Research Project​
Improving transitions to careers for young people with disability
Applications have now closed for a Commissioned Research Project focused on improving the transition of young people with disability from education and training into employment.
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Disability Research Leadership Program
Applications are now closed for Intake 1 for existing Master’s by Research and PhD students with disability.​​
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Congratulations to our 2025 Funding recipients!
People with disability are leading exciting new safety research across Australia.
15
Projects funded
$900,000
Round 1 funding investment
100%
Co-design funding for
disability-led research
Explore our Research Framework
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Our Research Framework guides how we fund and support disability-led research. It ensures all research is co-designed with people with disability and creates change.
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This research is funded by the NDRP through a grant from the Australian Government as an initiative under Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031.