The Dust Diseases Board's Research Grants Scheme is currently in its fourth year of operation and to date has approved research grants in excess of $2.5 million.

Section 6(2A) of the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 authorises the Dust Diseases Board to fund research into dust diseases.  Submissions for funding undergo a rigorous assessment process with the final decisions on the award of grants made by a meeting of the members of the Board.

The Board invites applications for funding through the placement of a Board approved advertisement in various media outlets.  Submissions for funding undergo a rigorous assessment process with the final decisions on the award of the grants made by a meeting of the members of the Board.

Formal agreements are entered into with successful applicants.  The agreement contains conditions relating to performance and quarterly payments.  Funding recipients are subject to audit as and when deemed appropriate by the Board.  Where appropriate the Board will own the intellectual property resulting from research.

The Board approved advertising for research submissions in August 2006.  A guideline for applicants and an application form can be found by following the links below:

Research Grants Scheme - Advertisement 2006

Research Grants Scheme - Guidelines for Applicants 2006

Research Grants Scheme - Application Form

CURRENT DDB FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS

The following research projects are currently being undertaken by the DDB Research Centre:

SABRE

A notification scheme of occupational lung disease.  Occupational Respiratory Physicians and some General Practitioners notify scheme 2nd monthly of new diagnoses of occupational lung diseases.  Reports published of incidence of new cases and occupations and exposure which are responsible.  For further information in regards to this project please view www.sabrensw.org

Meso Epidemiology Study

A study which aims to determine the current incidence of mesothelioma and to predict the future incidence in NSW.  Incidence figures in NSW from the Dust Diseases Board, Cancer Registry and Australian Mesothelioma Registry are being pooled to give the best estimate of incidence.  Using data on a number of workers of different ages and in different occupations in NSW over the last 50 years we aim to estimate the number of cases of mesothelioma which will occur in the next 20 years in NSW.

Exhaled Breath Condensate

Exhaled breath and exhaled breath condensate from workers with various dust diseases are being examined for evidence of oxidative stress with NO, CO and other markets.

Occupational Exposures Study

Estimates of occupational asbestos exposure in individuals using data from their occupational history using various methods and asbestos fibre counts in tissue, are being compared.

Meso - 1 Trial

A randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled study of 2 chemotherapeutic regimes and active symptom control in mesothelioma.

Fibre Counting

Developing and validating asbestos fibre counting of tissue specimens.

DDB Research Papers

Past and Future Incidence of Mesothelioma in Men in New South Wales.