The Lifetime Support Authority (LSA) is a statutory authority established under the Motor Vehicle Accidents (Lifetime Support Scheme) Act 2013 (SA). We have a legislative function to fund research, education and programs in connection with services provided to participants in the Lifetime Support Scheme (LSS), or ‘the Scheme’.

The Scheme provides treatment, care and support for participants who have sustained serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident in South Australia, regardless of fault.

Serious injuries include spinal cord injuries, brain injury, burns, amputations and blindness. The Lifetime Support Scheme Rules outline the eligibility criteria for injury to qualify as a participant of the Scheme and can be viewed to understand the Scheme.

The LSA has launched the LSA Strategy 2022–2026. The LSA aims for productive relationships with key stakeholders and service providers and engages in research, education and programs that ultimately aim to make a positive difference for participants and the Scheme. One of the key themes in the LSA Strategy is ‘Research, Education and Programs that ultimately aim to make a positive difference for participants and the Scheme’.

Working collaboratively, the LSA will fund research, education and programs that support positive outcomes for people injured due to road trauma in South Australia through improving and balancing health, social and economic outcomes. It is important for applicants to demonstrate that the projects will either be preventive or improve the networks supporting treatment, care and support of those impacted by road trauma over time.

Expressions of interest will be:

• Opening – 1 May 2024 at 10am ACST
• Closing – 3 July 2024 at 5pm ACST

Applications will only be accepted via SmartyGrants online submission portal.

Go to SmartyGrants Portal

The Research, Education and Programs Strategy 2022–2026 provides more information on LSA grants.

Download Research, Education and Programs Strategy 2022

The LSA continues to consider funding projects related to road trauma in three broad areas:

• improved outcomes for participants
• effective and efficient service delivery
• prevention of motor vehicle accidents and related injuries.

Priorities within these broad areas include:

1. early treatments or interventions and rehabilitation
2. recovery and/or transition into the community for people with injuries
3. early mental health interventions to improve outcomes.
4. long term usage of medications of dependence
5. improvements in attendant care
6. home automation
7. alcohol and/or illicit drug dependence pre-and post-crash
8. access to service providers and sustainable planning and policy for those needing treatment, care and support
9. positive outcomes and wellbeing
10. post-injury vocation
11. prevention
12. contributing and casual factors to motor vehicle accidents in SA
13. reduction in the incidence and severity of road trauma.

Funding covers:

• salary costs (applicants need to indicate the classification level and FTE)
• direct research, education and/or program costs
• travel costs essential to the project

Funding does not cover:

• institution infrastructure levies or fees
• regular business running costs (e.g. office space, insurance or rent)
• technology devices (such as computers, smart devices and mobile phones)
• professional membership fees
• patent application costs
• professional development courses
• journal publication fees
• registration, accommodation or travel expenses to attend conferences
• costs associated with delays in obtaining required permissions to commence project.

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For further information about Research, Education and Program grants please contact:

Dr Joy Jit
Program Manager
Research, Education and Programs
The Lifetime Support Authority
Email: LSA.Research@sa.gov.au