COMING SOON: COMMISSIONED RESEARCH PROJECT 

Improving transitions to careers for young people with disability

NDRP will soon open applications for a commissioned research project focused on improving the transition of young people with disability from education and training into employment.

This activity received grant funding from the Australian Government as an initiative under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031. 

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The NDRP commissioned research model aims to involve people with disability from beginning to end of the process: from setting research priorities to actively participating in research.  

We’ll release the full research questions and detailed guidelines soon. In the meantime, here is some key information to help you prepare.

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Key dates:

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• Applications open: 13 October 2025

• Applications close: 21 November 2025 5:00pm AEDT

• Funding decision announced: Early February 2026

Heads-up: Teams should plan for a tight application window. We encourage early conversations with partners and lived experience contributors.

Who should apply:

Projects will focus on improving transitions to real, sustained employment outcomes for young people with disability. Projects will include young First Nations people those with complex support and communication needs.

We’re looking for multidisciplinary teams that bring:

• Lived experience leadership: people with disability in named, paid roles across governance, research and knowledge mobilisation.

• Strong policy impact capability: experience translating evidence for decision-makers and shaping implementation.

• Cross-sector partnerships, for example in education, employment, community, disability advocacy, industry, and government.

• First Nations leadership and/or partnership, centring self-determination and Indigenous data sovereignty.

• Strong skills to include young people with complex support and communication needs. For example, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users, Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and Blind or Low-Vision young people, people with intellectual disability, and neurodivergent young people.

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