Criminology Research Fund

What is the Criminology Research Fund?
The Criminology Research Council controls and administers the Criminology Research Fund. The Council's role is to fund methodologically sound criminological research in the areas of sociology, psychology, law, statistics, police, judiciary, corrections, mental health, social welfare, education and related fields. Funded research must be policy-oriented, and research outcomes should have the potential for application in other jurisdictions or nationally.

Who can apply?
Application is open to all researchers in universities, government departments or similar institutions within Australia, who are conducting research related to the causes, correction and prevention of criminal behaviour.

Please note that the Council does not:

encourage applications for research which is within the normal operational responsibilities of Government departments or institutions, or which is more appropriately funded by other research bodies
fund applications for research that predominantly involves overseas travel
fund applications primarily seeking funding for equipment or seminars and conferences
provide financial support for doctoral research. (However, the Council may approve funding if the research is incidental to a larger project and may provide funding to enable publication of completed doctoral research.)

How do I apply?
Application kits are available from the Criminology Research Council at: http://www.aic.gov.au/crc/

Applicants outside of the Department of Education, Training and the Arts who require its co-operation in completing their research will need to provide evidence of departmental support in their application.

When must I apply by?
Applications are usually due in August but please check the Criminology Research Council's website to confirm.

How are applications assessed?
The criteria taken into account by the Council when assessing applications include:

public policy relevance
the extent to which the proposed research will have practical application and contribute to the understanding, prevention or correction of criminal behaviour
the likelihood of the proposed research making a substantial and original contribution to criminological knowledge
the cost effectiveness of the research
the soundness of the design and methodology and the feasibility of the research
the competence of the applicant(s) or principal investigator(s) to undertake the proposed research
ethics Committee approval, where appropriate
the availability of data, where required
the extent of funding or in kind support obtained from relevant agencies.

When will I know if my application is successful?
As this varies from year to year, please check the Criminology Research Council's website.

What role does SPEF play?
The Strategic Policy and Education Futures Division can assist external researchers seeking Departmental support by linking them with the relevant content area and providing advice on the Department's strategic research priorities.

SPEF is available to advise and assist departmental staff with all stages of the research application process. Where applications are successful, SPEF can also assist with the tendering process to engage external researchers. As SPEF maintains a central register of projects supported by the Department, departmental staff who secure funds are asked to notify SPEF as soon as possible.

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