17 June 2024

Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

New grant opportunity: 2024 Collaborations in Health Services Research – applications now open!

The 2024 Collaborations in Health Services Research grant opportunity opened for applications on Wednesday 12 June 2024.

This new, one-off grant opportunity is intended to support programs of small-scale, health service-focused research projects that relate to the health system, conducted in a health service setting, by a collaboration of health services and research organisations.

Key dates:
• Minimum data due by Wednesday 28 August 2024 17:00 AEST
• Applications close on Wednesday 18 September 2024 17:00 AEST.

Applicants should refer to the 2024 Collaborations in Health Services Research NHMRC webpage for further information.

NHMRC update – Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

 NHMRC has an ongoing role to maintain the currency of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines that are part of the National Water Quality Management Strategy.

To ensure the Guidelines remain relevant and reflect the latest scientific knowledge, NHMRC reviews prioritised sections of the Guidelines with advice from the Water Quality Advisory Committee.

NHMRC is currently conducting an independent review of the health-based guideline values for contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This update is part of NHMRC’s commitment to keeping the Guidelines current and scientifically sound.

Read more on NHMRC’s update on the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on our News Centre.

Consultation closing soon: Good Institutional Practice Guide

 NHMRC has released the draft Good Institutional Practice Guide for public consultation. The Guide aims to provide advice to NHMRC-funded institutions and NHMRC-funded researchers about good institutional practice to promote open, honest, supportive, and respectful institutional cultures conducive to the conduct of high-quality research.  

Online consultations are now open and will close on Wednesday 10 July 2024 at 17:00 AEST.

Information about this consultation is available on NHMRC’s consultation hub.

Reflecting on health and medical research excellence

 What inspires health and medical researchers to pursue a career in research? And how do they become the top-ranked researchers of NHMRC’s largest grant funding schemes?

Recipients of 2023 NHMRC Research Excellence Awards have reflected on their careers and have written first person pieces describing the significance of their research and how their hypotheses are helping to build a healthy Australia.

• Professor Anthony Don, recipient of the 2023 NHMRC Marshall and Warren Ideas Grant Award, has reflected on how he moved out of his comfort zone and learned something new to explain how APOE genotype affects brain lipid homeostasis and dementia risk.

• Recipient of the 2023 NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award for Public Health Leadership, Professor Jane Pirkis, has shared her story on how and her research team are generating new knowledge about “best bet” suicide prevention interventions.

• Professor Katy Bell, who was awarded the 2023 NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award for Health Services Leadership, has shared her first-person piece on driving the transition to high value testing to benefit the health of all.

Keep your eyes on NHMRC’s news centre page for more research storytelling from our awardees.

NHMRC/MREA – Grant opportunity key dates 

 The following NHMRC/Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) grant opportunities will open soon:

NHMRC Investigator Grants 2025:

Applications for Investigator Grants 2025 round will open on Wednesday 19 June 2024.

  • Key Dates
    • Minimum data due by Wednesday 17 July 2024 17:00 AEST
    • Applications close on Thursday 15 August 2024 17:00 AEST.

Both the Investigator Grants 2025 Guidelines and Peer Review Guidelines will be published on GrantConnect when the scheme opens.

Researchers are encouraged to start planning their applications early and are reminded that accurate and complete minimum data information, such as Fields of Research, are essential in matching applications to appropriately qualified peer reviewers.
New applicants will need to register for a Sapphire account and complete their Sapphire profile. Information on how to do this is available from the Sapphire landing page.

For further information, please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.

2025 Investigator Grant peer review invitations

Thank you to those who accepted the invitation to participate as a 2025 Investigator Grant peer reviewer. 

Invitations to participate as a peer reviewer were sent in May 2024. We encourage those who are interested in participating in the 2025 round to respond as soon as possible.

Peer reviewers are reminded to ensure their peer review information (particularly ‘Fields of Research’ and ‘Peer Review Areas’) in Sapphire is complete and current. This is critical for NHMRC to effectively match applications to your areas of expertise, saving you time and ensuring the best possible assessment.

For any peer review inquiries, please contact investigator.grants@nhmrc.gov.au.

 

NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants 2024

The Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants 2024 scheme will open for applications on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

This scheme supports high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies that address important gaps in knowledge, leading to relevant and implementable findings for the benefit of human health.

  • Key Dates
    • Minimum data due by Wednesday 24 July 2024 17:00 AEST
    • Applications close on Wednesday 28 August 2024 17:00 AEST.

Further details will be available on GrantConnect.

Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for assistance if required.

Key NHMRC grant program dates

 Please see the Funding schemes and calendar page.

Medical Research Future Fund – Grant opportunities key dates

 The following MRFF grant opportunities have minimum data due dates approaching:

  • 2024 Early to Mid-Career Researchers (GO6748)
    • Minimum data due Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 17:00 AEST 
    • Applications close Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 17:00 AEST 
  • 2024 Indigenous Health Research (GO6752)
    • Minimum data due Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 17:00 AEST 
    • Applications close Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 17:00 AEST. 
  • 2024 Stem Cell Therapies (GO6774)
    • Minimum data due Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 17:00 AEST 
    • Applications close Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 17:00 AEST. 

The following MRFF grant opportunity has a close date approaching:

Details on how to apply for MRFF grant opportunities and all MRFF close dates are available on GrantConnect. Applicants are reminded that only applicants who completed minimum data by the due date can submit an application. It is also the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements.


Applicants should ensure:


MRFF grant assessment committee self-nomination
Register your interest to become a member of a MRFF grant assessment committee.

The Heart Foundation - Catalyst Partnership Grants scheme

 NHMRC welcomes the launch of the new Catalyst Partnership Grants scheme offered by the Heart Foundation. This initiative offers a novel, collaborative way of supporting innovative ideas and solutions to improve cardiovascular health in Australia.

Twenty of the best grant applicants will work with the Heart Foundation and collaborators to build their idea into a compelling deck that articulates the investment case and potential impact, to be pitched to potential investors and donors at the Catalyst Showcase in early 2025 – ‘Imagine a shark tank approach for cardiovascular health!’ says the Heart Foundation CEO, David Lloyd.

Expressions of Interest will close on Friday 5 July 2024.

Visit the Heart Foundation’s website for more information and contact: catalyst@heartfoundation.org.au for any questions.

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