We are investing $1 million to support high-quality alcohol and other drugs (AOD) research that strengthens evidence, informs policy and practice, and contributes to better health and wellbeing outcomes for Queenslanders.
Individual grants up to $100, 000 - $200,000 (excluding GST) have been awarded for research projects that align with Queensland Government priorities and support actions under Shifting minds: The Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs, and Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2023–2028 and Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategic Plan 2022–2027.
These grants aim to build the evidence base, support translational research, and ensure research findings are shared and applied to create meaningful, real‑world impact.
Grant recipients
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Organisation: Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA) Project Name: The PEAK Project: Peer Education and Action on Knowledge for Peptides Purpose: This project responds to the growing use of peptides and other image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs), addressing critical gaps in understanding, regulation, harm reduction, and health system responses. Through peer-led research, co-design, and stakeholder engagement, it will generate practical resources, policy guidance, and knowledge to improve outcomes for consumers, health services, and policymakers. |
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Organisation: University of Southern Queensland Project Name: WISER-NSP (Women's Injecting Services: Evidence & Reform for Needle & Syringe Programs Purpose: This project investigates the gender-specific barriers women face when accessing Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs), including stigma, safety concerns, caregiving responsibilities, and service design limitations. By generating evidence-based recommendations and resources, it aims to support more accessible, equitable, and gender-responsive NSP services across urban, regional, and diverse service settings. |
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Organisation: University of Queensland Purpose: This research examines the high-risk transition from custody to community for people who use drugs, a period associated with increased overdose risk, relapse, and disengagement from services. Through lived-living experience-informed research and co-design, it will develop practical recommendations and a transition framework to improve care continuity, service integration, and reintegration outcomes. |
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Organisation: University of Queensland Purpose: This research will generate evidence to inform cannabis policy in Queensland, particularly in relation to impacts on young people, by drawing on comparative data and policy analysis across jurisdictions. Through stakeholder engagement and lived-living experience input, it will produce practical tools and recommendations to support evidence-based policy and regulatory decision-making. |
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Organisation: University of Queensland Purpose: This project establishes a surveillance system to monitor emerging trends in performance and image enhancing drug (IPED) use, providing timely data on drug markets, substance composition, and consumer behaviours. By generating regular reports, harm reduction resources, and policy insights, it will support evidence-informed responses to emerging risks and improve awareness across the health and policy sectors. |
Why this matters
AOD use is influenced by complex policy, system and social factors. This funding supports research that strengthens the evidence base for reform, improves coordination across sectors and ensures policy and practice are informed by what works in real-world settings. By translating research into action, these grants help drive sustainable improvements across Queensland’s alcohol and other drugs system.
About the grants
The grant program was open to organisations and institutions with demonstrated experience and capability to deliver high-quality AOD research.
Funded projects demonstrated:
- alignment with one or more priorities under Achieving balance
- a clear research focus that strengthens the AOD evidence base
- meaningful involvement of people with lived and living experience of AOD use, embedded in research design, delivery and evaluation where relevant
- a strong knowledge translation approach to ensure findings are shared and used by policy makers, services and communities
- consideration of sustainability and impact beyond June 2027.
