Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Listen to NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh on the Med Tech Talks podcast!
Interested to learn more about NHMRC’s priorities for 2024 and beyond? NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh recently appeared on the Bionics Institute’s Med Tech Talks podcast to discuss developing a new health and medical research strategy for Australia, funding reforms, and improving research equity.
In the episode, Professor Wesselingh also spoke about his journey to becoming one of the world’s leading HIV researchers and his experience working internationally in both the United States of America and Papua New Guinea.
You can listen to this episode now on the Bionics Institute website.
Professor Steve Wesselingh, NHMRC CEO podcast image.
Review of the 2016 Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
NHMRC and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia Ltd (CHF) are collaborating to review the 2016 Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research (the Statement).
NHMRC has developed a position paper with advice from CHF and the Consumer Statement Advisory Committee (CSAC) that provides examples of information that could be included in the revised Statement and poses some discussion questions.
For further information on the review, visit the Consultation activities webpage.
The Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) is facilitating in-person and online workshops around Australia during March and April 2024, where attendees will be invited to discuss the questions in the position paper in an open forum. View the workshop schedule online via the Engagement on CCI Statement - AHRA website.
All interested stakeholders are encouraged to provide responses to the questions in the position paper through NHMRC’s Consultation Hub by Friday 31 May 2024.
To receive future updates on the revision of the Statement, please subscribe to the Consumer Statement contact list and if you have any questions, contact priorities@nhmrc.gov.au.
Public submission: Assessment & Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder guideline seeking NHMRC approval
The following clinical practice guideline is seeking NHMRC approval under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.
The Australian Guidelines for Assessment & Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or Neurodevelopmental Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure is now open for public consultation.
Consultation is open between Monday 11 March 2024 and Sunday 21 April 2024. To view the guideline and make a submission, visit FASD Hub Australia’s website.
Speaking of Science – working towards a National Indigenous Genomics Agenda with Professor Alex Brown
Harnessing the power of research by combining genomics, precision medicine and public heath can help to address the long-term health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In this webinar hosted by us as part of our new Speaking of Science series, you will hear from internationally acclaimed Aboriginal doctor and researcher Professor Alex Brown, as Australia works towards a National Indigenous Genomics Agenda.
Professor Brown will discuss Indigenous genomics, and how his transdisciplinary program of research out of the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian National University is helping to improve health disparities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There will also be an opportunity to engage in a Q&A session, so we encourage you to attend and ask questions.
Join us for this free webinar on Thursday 11 April 2024 from 12:00–13:00 AEST.
Ideas Grant 2024 - now open!
The Ideas Grants 2024 round opened on Wednesday 20 March 2024.
The objective of the Ideas Grant scheme is to support innovative research projects addressing a specific question(s).
Key dates:
• Minimum data due by Wednesday 17 April 2024 17:00 AEST
• Applications close Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:00 AEST.
Applicants need to ensure that their Sapphire account is active or register for access to Sapphire well in advance of the minimum data deadline.
Participating institutions which applicants intend to list as part of their application must be indicated in Sapphire.
Contact Research Help Centre for enquiries.
Targeted Call for Research: Climate-related health impacts and effective interventions to improve health outcomes 2024
The Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Climate-related health impacts and effective interventions to improve health outcomes 2024 is now open for applications in Sapphire.
The objectives of this grant opportunity are to build a stronger evidence base on:
• the effectiveness of targeted interventions addressing current and future risks of climate change on the health and wellbeing of Australians and on Australia’s health system
• the health impacts of climate change on key Australian population groups in vulnerable situations.
Minimum data is due on Wednesday 1 May 2024 17:00 AEST, and applications close on Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:00 AEST.
Further details on this grant opportunity are available on GrantConnect.
Please contact the Research Help Centre via help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
NHMRC e-ASIA 2024 Joint Research Program - closing soon
Applications for the 2024 e-ASIA Joint Research Program (JRP) 13th Call in (1) Health Research and (2) Food and Health Research must be submitted:
• to the e-ASIA Secretariat by Friday 29 March 2024, and
• through Sapphire by Wednesday 3 April 2024 17:00 AEDT.
Details on both calls are available on the GrantConnect, NHMRC and e-ASIA websites.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for assistance.
Partnership Projects 2024 PRC1 - round close
Applications for the Partnership Projects 2024 PRC1 will close on Wednesday 3 April 2024 17:00 AEDT.
Applicants are reminded that:
• only applicants that completed minimum data by Wednesday 20 March 2024 17:00 AEDT can submit a full application in PRC1.
• applications submitted after close of round will not be accepted.
Please direct all enquiries to help@nhmrc.gov.au.
Synergy Grants 2024 – closing soon
Applications for the Synergy Grants 2024 grant opportunity close on Wednesday 3 April 2024 17:00 AEDT.
Applicants are reminded that:
• researchers listed on applications must have a Sapphire account.
• New account registrations must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to application close. The Research Help Centre will continue to respond to enquiries until Wednesday 3 April 2024 13:00 AEDT.
• only applicants who completed minimum data requirements by the deadline can submit a full application
• applications submitted after close of round will not be accepted.
Further information can be found on GrantConnect.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for assistance.
International collaborative opportunity – the Japanese Agency for Medical Research and Development releases ASPIRE funding program
The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) opened the Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for an Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) Alignment call on Monday 11 March 2024.
The ASPIRE program is designed to foster the exchange of information and to encourage collaboration between Japan and partner countries.
AMED will accept research proposals in which Japan-based research teams collaborate with already-funded researchers from partner countries where the research aligns with the aims of ASPIRE.
NHMRC grant recipients are encouraged to advise their RAO directly when their research partner applies for this opportunity.
Further information is available at the AMED website.
Multi-factor authenticator in Sapphire
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) became mandatory in Sapphire in December 2023 to comply with Australian cyber security measures. All new and existing Sapphire users will need to have MFA set-up for their account before they can access Sapphire.
MFA troubleshooting
NHMRC are aware of some issues when setting up MFA for Sapphire.
These include:
• Downloading an unsupported authenticator app.
o Sapphire MFA only supports the Microsoft or Google Authenticator free apps.
• Users scanning the QR code from the camera app instead of within the authenticator app.
o The MFA QR code must be scanned from within the Microsoft or Google Authenticator app.
• MFA disabling after a user hasn’t logged in for a prolonged amount of time.
o Contact help@nhmrc.gov.au to re-enable MFA.
Updated Sapphire MFA guide
The MFA guide has been updated to include the latest troubleshooting topics. Download the guide from the Sapphire Help page.
For further information please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.
MRFF – grant opportunities key dates
The following MRFF grant opportunity has a close date approaching:
- 2023 Childhood Mental Health (GO6518)
- Applications close Wednesday 27 March 2024 at 17:00 AEDT.
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:
- their Sapphire account is active or access to Sapphire has been requested,
- their organisation is an approved MRFF Eligible Organisation before the close date, and
- any intended participating institutions are listed in Sapphire or request that a new participating institution be added by emailing help@nhmrc.gov.au, including the institution's website address (URL) and ABN (if applicable).
MRFF grant assessment committee self-nomination
Register your interest to become a member of a MRFF grant assessment committee.
MRFF Research Administration Officer webinar on Wednesday 27 March 2024
The Health and Medical Research Office (HMRO) in the Department of Health and Aged Care invites you to join the next MRFF Research Administration Officer (RAO) webinar on Wednesday 27 March 2024 at 2:00 pm AEDT.
MRFF RAO Webinars support RAOs and organisations administering or interested in applying for MRFF grants by covering topics and questions important to participants.
2022 Human Research Ethics Committees activity report
The 2022 Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) activity report provides an overview of the Australian system of ethical oversight of research involving humans, including the composition of HRECs and their processes for considering research proposals and monitoring approved research.
The activity report is a compilation of information provided by NHMRC-registered HRECs and NHMRC-certified institutions that are required to submit annual reports to NHMRC.
The activity report for 2022 has been published and is available on NHMRC’s website.
2023 Human Research Ethics Committees annual report form
NHMRC-registered Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) and NHMRC-certified institutions are required to submit annual reports to NHMRC about their activities in the preceding calendar year.
The 2023 report form is now available and needs to be completed by Monday 29 July 2024 17:00 AEST.
Further details, including how to access the form, have been emailed to registered HRECs and certified institutions.
Please contact NHMRC at HREC.admin@nhmrc.gov.au if your institution or HREC Chair have not yet received this email or require any assistance.