FAQs

The Dust Diseases Board (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.

The Dust Diseases Board runs each funding round once per year, with the exact timeframes being confirmed closer to the opening date. The competitive research funding rounds are usually open from November to January, the Fellowships and Scholarships funding round is open between March and April, the Support Organisation Funding round is usually open between August and September.

If you are unsuccessful with an application and consider submitting it in the next funding round, please contact us for feedback. 

Most Ideas to Action and Focus grants range from 12 months to a maximum of three years.

Fellowships and Scholarships are usually awarded for three years, unless the applicant proposes a shorter duration.

Support Organisation grants range from 12 months to three years.

Scholarships and fellowships

The Dust Diseases Board provides a total of $120,000 for each three-year scholarship and $240,000 for each three-year fellowship.

Ideas to action and Focus grants

The Dust Diseases Board intentionally does not place a cap on the grant amount that can be applied for, as each budget differs according to the requirement. Generally, funded projects range between $100,000 to $300,000 for the duration of the grant. However, the Board has previously funded projects that have smaller budgets and also those with budgets above $300,000, if the research project complements the portfolio of already funded projects. 

Support organisations

The Dust Diseases Board intentionally does not place cap on the grant amount that can be applied for. A total of $600,000 is available under this funding stream and applicants should apply for the actual amount needed for the project. Please refer to the program guidelines for more detailed guidance.

Yes, if you or the research institute you work for are located outside of NSW, you are eligible to apply for a research grant as well as a scholarship or fellowship.

If you are applying for a Support Organisation grant, the head office of your organisation can be located in a different state.

However, please note that there are five eligibility criteria that must be met. The third criterion specifies that the proposed program will predominantly support people who acquired their dust disease through working in NSW. It also supports their families and dependants. A minimum of 70 per cent of program recipients should meet this criterion.

If your organisation does not meet all the eligibility criteria, but you believe the Board's funding aims would be met, please contact us to discuss your proposal.

The grant funds will be distributed in instalments throughout the grant lifetime, in accordance with the Funding Agreement Schedule 2 "Project Payment and Reporting Schedule".

The first instalment will be made upon execution of the Agreement. Every other instalment will be made once the required Progress and Financial Reports have been submitted and are considered satisfactory

A small sum will be withheld until the Final Report and Audited Financial Report have been submitted.

The Board allows for Chief Investigators and organisations to hold more than one grant at a time, given that they are for distinct projects.

You can contact the Dust Diseases Care Research Team at ddcgrants@icare.nsw.gov.au and also refer to the grant funding guidelines for each funding stream.

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: sometimes occupational interstitial lung diseases can be grouped into overlapping categories. Examples of this include byssinosis, aluminosis and berylliosis.

Typically, you can expect to receive the first draft of your funding agreement for review within two months after receipt of the outcome.

The process to execute the final copy of the funding agreement can take up to five months.

After the funding agreement is executed, we will issue a Purchase Order (PO) and request your first invoice, referencing that PO number. Subsequently, you should receive your first instalment within 14 business days.

Intellectual property ownership is typically addressed in the funding agreement and should be reviewed carefully.

The grant generally covers only direct research costs; however, it's essential to consult the funding agreement for detailed information.

Yes, the grant must be used strictly for the purposes outlined in the funding agreement.

It is mandatory to use the DDC's template for all budget statements. This is a requirement.

You have the flexibility to adjust the allocation of funds between categories for minor amounts (up to $1,000). For substantial reallocations or changes that might impact your project's outcomes, it's required that your research office reach out to the DDC at ddcgrants@icare.nsw.gov.au to talk about your particular situation.

If the spending in any category exceeds or falls short of the budgeted amount by more than $1000, please fill out the Budget Changes or Variations section of the Annual or Final Financial Acquittal Report (where the discrepancy occurred) to explain the variation.

The DDC requires all allocated funds to be audited and reported in line with Australian accounting standards. The endorsement from the Administering Organisation/Institution Finance Manager ensures this process is adhered to.

The Finance Manager at the Administering Organisation/Institution should hold a senior executive role within your entity, overseeing audit operations, or be professionally accredited as a certified practicing accountant, chartered accountant, or be a registered member of the National Institute of Accountants, also possessing delegated authority from your institution.

In the event there are funds left over upon the project's completion, it is necessary for your research office to get in touch with the DDC to explore potential uses for these funds or the need to return them.

Grantees are required to submit progress, final, annual financial and final financial acquittal reports, the details of which are outlined in the Schedule 2 Project, Reporting and Payment Schedule of the funding agreement.

Missing reporting deadlines can result in delayed payments, and for those failing to meet reporting obligations may affect future eligibility for funding.

In certain instances changes to the project scope, budget line items, or timeline must be approved in advance by the Dust Diseases Board (DDB).

Your Administering Organisation needs to contact ddcgrants@icare.nsw.gov.au to request any variations to your project.

Yes, a stage report must be submitted and approved prior to issuing any invoice, with the exception of an Execution Stage invoice.

Subsequent invoices should be sent to ddcgrants@icare.nsw.gov.au and must reference the associated PO number.

Incorrect invoices will be returned for correction, potentially delaying the payment process.

DDC monitors grant performance through regular progress reports and may also conduct periodic audits. DDB are updated on grant performance four times a year.

Detailed financial and project records must be maintained for auditing purposes and as specified in the funding agreement.

The funding agreement outlines the conditions for grant termination, which may include non-compliance, failure to meet objectives, or misuse of funds.

All publications and presentations resulting from the grant should acknowledge the Dust Diseases Board's financial support, in accordance with the terms set out in the funding agreement.