We are investing $1.05 million in the Suicide Prevention Research Scheme (SPRS) to strengthen the suicide prevention evidence-base and understand what works to prevent suicide.
The SPRS will be open to all Queensland universities over two grant rounds in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 calendar years with up to $100,000 available per grant. A total pool of $525,000 excluding GST is available in each grant round.
Why is this important?
Suicide is complex, with no one cause or solution. The SPRS has been established to support high-quality research to help build the evidence base around suicide and suicide prevention, advance understanding of what works to prevent suicide, and strengthen Queensland’s ability to deliver high-quality suicide prevention initiatives.
Through the scheme — which is open to all Queensland universities — a broad range of research projects can be supported to help guide and inform future investments in suicide prevention in Queensland.
As part of the development of the SPRS, a Suicide Prevention Research Agenda was also developed in consultation with academics from all Queensland universities, as well as people with a lived experience of suicide to ensure a diverse range of suicide prevention activity can be funded.
The grants are currently open for applications and more information can be found via Smartygrants.
How does this support reform?
Every life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029 Phase Two (Every life) provides a plan of action for preventing suicide through a comprehensive set of initiatives, including building resilience to prevent suicide, intervening early in distress and vulnerability, supporting intensive responses at crisis points, and whole-of-system supports during key life stages and pivotal life events.
As part of Every life, the Queensland Government has committed to improving the way data, evidence and evaluation is collected, used and shared to drive and improve suicide prevention. The Suicide Prevention Research Scheme (SPRS) is one of the ways that the Queensland Government is delivering on that commitment.
More broadly, this opportunity also aligns with Shifting minds: The Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs and Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 20232028, and Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan 2022-2027.
Further information
If you would like to find out more about this work, you are welcome to get in touch with the Commission via info@qmhc.qld.gov.au.
To read the grant guidelines and apply, please visit: https://qmhc.smartygrants.com.au/SPROG
