Call for community-engaged research proposals

The Stakeholder Engaged Scholarship Unit (SESU) is now accepting expressions of interest (EOIs) for research projects from organisations supporting people experiencing disadvantage.

The SESU supports organisations to expand their research capacity by undertaking partner-initiated research projects. The SESU aims to serve communities through connection and collaboration by providing scholarly expertise and research assistance to organisations working in areas that are central to ACU's mission and ethos as a Catholic university.

All staff are encouraged to share news of the SESU’s call for EOIs with contacts in their networks. All Australian organisations that have a majority of their trade dedicated to the social good, whether faith-based or secular, are welcome to apply to the SESU for the research that’s meaningful to them.

EOIs are open now until 14 March 2025.

Research themes

In 2025, research themes have been introduced to guide the scope and focus of the SESU's work. These themes are embedded in ACU's mission and aligned with ACU's strategic plan, Vision 2033. The research we co-deliver with our community partners is focused on creating impact for ethical futures, thriving communities and flourishing lives.

• Theme 1: Addressing issues of social justice in a changing world
• Theme 2: Improving the wellbeing of communities
• Theme 3: Exploring Catholic identity and organisational practice

We invite organisations to submit an EOI related to one of the SESU’s research themes for either project stream, organisation-specific or sector.

Organisation-specific projects

Submit a proposal for a research project that focuses on an issue specific to your organisation’s programs or services.

Sector projects

Submit a multi-organisation proposal for a project to address a large or systemic issue which affects several organisations in the community sector.

Successful organisations will work closely with ACU academic researcher/s to undertake the projects. To give academic staff the opportunity to participate in the successful projects, the SESU will open an EOI round in a few months’ time where researchers can apply to join the successful projects.

More information

The SESU’s Advisory Group will shortlist EOIs after the round closes.

Organisations are encouraged to register to attend our virtual information session, which will be held from 10am-11.30am AEDT on Tuesday 25 February to learn about applying to and working with the SESU from a panel made up of community, academic and SESU staff.

Visit our website for more information about the EOI round or contact SESU staff at sesu@acu.edu.