The Research, Education and Program (REP) Grants Program.
The Lifetime Support Authority (LSA) is committed to strengthening the quality of services provided to participants in the Lifetime Support Scheme (LSS). Our goal is to improve the lives of participants, and research or education programs that drive innovation.
The LSA’s REP Grants program funds research, education and programs which advance the frontiers of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and other road trauma related outcomes. Researchers can investigate and develop cutting-edge strategies and approaches that improve the treatment, care and support of LSS participants.
Through our grants program strategy, we aim for productive relationships with key stakeholders and service providers, and engage in research, education and programs that ultimately aim to make a positive difference for participants and the Scheme.
If your initiative aligns with the LSA’s REP Strategy – we invite you to apply for a grant in 2026.
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Our grant focus areas
For projects employing scientific methodologies – often submitted by academic institutions.
See examples of previous Research grants here.
For initiatives designed to promote learning.
See examples of previous Education grants here.
For activities supporting specific projects.
See examples of previous Program grants here.
Priority Areas
Grants are awarded to projects focussing on the LSA’s priority areas, such as:
- Early treatments, interventions and rehabilitation
- Long-term usage of medications of dependence
- Early mental health interventions
- Rehabilitation and transition into the community
- Post-injury vocation
- Prevention of motor vehicle accidents and trauma
- Positive outcomes and wellbeing of participants
- Contributing and causal factors leading to motor vehicle accidents
- Alcohol and/or illicit drug dependence
- Access to service providers and sustainable planning
- Home automation
- Attendant care
- Reduction in the incidence and severity of motor vehicle accident injury
What are we looking for in an application?
Improved outcomes for participants
- Creating projects that generate practical knowledge, influence decision-making, and positively affect health, social, and economic well-being of participants.
Effective and efficient service delivery
- Encouraging new ideas and approaches that improve policies, practices, and the experiences of participants.
- Providing long-term support to people who have suffered from motor vehicle accident injury.
Prevention of motor vehicle accidents and related injuries
- Enhancing services and strategies to prevent motor vehicle accidents and injuries.
- Projects with the potential for a wider community impact beyond direct beneficiaries.
What do our grants cover?
Grants funded by the LSA vary significantly. In the past, successful applications ranged from $10,000 to $780,000 with duration ranging from 6 months to 3 years.
- Direct Research costs
- Direct Program and Education costs
- Essential travel costs
- Associated salary costs
- Costs associated with obtaining Human Research Ethics Committee approval
- Registration or travel expenses to attend conferences
- Institution infrastructure levies or fees
- Regular business running costs
- Technology devices
- Professional membership fees
- Patent application costs
- Professional development courses
- Journal publication fees
If your grant application is successful, details of payments will be discussed with you at the contract stage. Contracts are usually structured with a 20% upfront payment to help with establishment, and a 20% final payment on completion of the project and delivery of the final report. You will need to submit quarterly reports outlining progress, with the remaining 60% of funds paid at key milestones.
How to apply
Key dates
Stay tuned for 2026 dates
- Submissions are accepted on the SmartyGrants portal. The SmartyGrants portal will guide you through the submission template, outlining requirements in detail. Please ensure you review the requirements well in advance of the deadline.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted and no changes can be made after submission.
- An automated email confirmation from SmartyGrants will be sent on successful submission. If you don’t receive a confirmation email then your submission has not been formally lodged.
- Please note, no other methods of application will be accepted.
To ensure fairness and transparency in our REP grant application process, we are committed to providing clear, consistent, and impartial guidance to all applicants.
While we are happy to address procedural and eligibility-related inquiries, we must adhere to strict guidelines to prevent any conflict of interest. Therefore, while the grant round remains open, all questions must be directed to the REP team LSA.Research@sa.gov.au , who can only provide responses related to the grant process itself.
Our approach ensures that:
- All applicants receive equal access to information, with any enquiries and responses being promptly added to our website to maintain fairness.
- The integrity of the grant process is preserved, fostering trust and confidence among applicants and stakeholders.
By upholding these standards, we ensure a level playing field for all applicants and reinforce our commitment to equity and transparency.
Who can apply?
There are no restraints on the number of applications a researcher can submit, and the grant round is open to new, current and past grantees.
How are Research, Education and Program defined?
- Research Grants: Projects employing scientific methodologies, often submitted by academic institutions.
- Education Grants: Initiatives designed to promote learning and knowledge sharing.
- Program Grants: Activities supporting specific projects that align with LSA priorities.
Can interstate applicants apply for funding?
The Motor Vehicle Accidents (Lifetime Support Scheme) Act 2013 outlines that one of the core functions of the Lifetime Support Authority (LSA) is to “provide support and funding for programs that will provide high-quality services to participants in the Scheme; and research and education in connection with services provided to participants in the Scheme.”
Given that the majority of Scheme participants reside in South Australia, it is both practical and appropriate that research, education, and program funding primarily benefits and is based in South Australia.
While the Research and Education Program (REP) prioritises, grantees located in South Australia, it also encourages collaboration with interstate partners where specific expertise or capabilities are not available locally.
How your application is assessed
Following is an overview of the assessment process.
Research grants
Research grants are assessed by an external panel of experts based on team skills, scientific merit, translation plan, and feasibility.
Education & Program grants
Education and program grants are evaluated internally by the team at LSA, using criteria tailored to project scope. The assessment criteria is as follows (weighting n/a):
Please note that all grant decisions are final and there is no appeals process.
Need help?
If you have further questions about our grant application process, please reach us at LSA.Research@sa.gov.au
