30 March 2026

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

MJA’s exclusive story: 90 years of funding Australian health research — and why the next decade matters more than ever

As Australia marks 90 years of nationally coordinated, high quality health and medical research funding, NHMRC is celebrating 9 significant decades of discovery through to impact.

The Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) has published a special feature on the NHMRC, reflecting on how research has changed over time, and why research needs to continue to evolve in order to face current and emerging challenges impacting all Australians.

Read more about NHMRC’s discoveries, history and the future of research on the MJA’s website.
 

Speaking of Science - from discovery to impact: improving access to mental health care for children

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions for children and adolescents globally, affecting 5-10% of young people.

This World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day (23 April), Speaking of Science is shining a spotlight on the impact of NHMRC funded research that led to the development of new treatments to help kids with anxiety.

We will be joined by leading researcher in childhood mental health, Professor Jennie Hudson (The Black Dog Institute) to discuss how NHMRC funding led to the development of highly effective treatment methods for childhood anxiety that are now in use globally.

There will be a Q&A session at the end, so we encourage you to attend and ask questions!  This webinar will take place on Thursday 23 April 2026 from 2:00PM – 3:00PM (AEST).

Register on Microsoft Teams here.
 

New requirement to account for sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation in applications and assessments

For most NHMRC and MRFF grant opportunities opening from 1 January 2026, applicants are required to account for sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation in their proposed research and this will be considered during assessment.

Applicants and peer reviewers are encouraged to read our joint Statement on Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in Health and Medical Research, including the better practice prompts at every stage of the research life cycle.

Guidance and resources are available on NHMRC’s gender equity webpage. This includes summary videos and the full recording of the webinar we held in 2025.
 

Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Addressing Violence for Safer Families and Communities 2025

On 23 March 2026, NHMRC announced the funding outcomes for the TCR: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Addressing Violence for Safer Families and Communities 2025 grant opportunity.

Two multidisciplinary research teams will share in $6.7 million in funding aiming to embed culturally safe, trauma informed and community driven approaches to improve the safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

The media release for this announcement is available on NHMRC's news centre.
 

Reminder: Guide for assessing research involving AI

A reminder that NHMRC has released the Guide for assessing research involving Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Large Language Model Technology (collectively “AI”) for use by researchers and ethics review bodies in developing and assessing proposals for research involving AI.

This concise guide was developed by the Australian Health Ethics Committee and includes guidance and a question-based tool to assist researchers and reviewers.

NHMRC anticipates that this guide will evolve over time and invites feedback. For further information, contact ethics@nhmrc.gov.au.
 

Additional funding partner for Ideas Grants - Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 

The 2026 Ideas Grants Guidelines have been amended to include an additional funding partner: The Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  

Further details regarding this funding opportunity are available in Appendix A of the 2026 Ideas Grants Guidelines, published on GrantConnect. 

Applicants intending to apply for funding through this partnership are required to contact ideas.grants@nhmrc.gov.au to confirm their intention to apply.

By providing this confirmation, applicants consent to their application details being shared with the funding partner following completion of the assessment process.

Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for further assistance.   
 

NHMRC–Horizon Europe grant opportunity guidelines published

NHMRC is supporting Australia based researchers participating in the 2026 Horizon Europe Call for Proposals under select topics.

The 2026 NHMRC-Horizon Europe Guidelines are now available on Grant Connect. Projects which involve Australia based researchers and are selected by the European Commission for funding in 2026 may be eligible for NHMRC support.

NHMRC advises potential applicants that there are specific requirements for Australia based researchers and their NHMRC approved Administering Institutions to be listed in the EU application.

Please refer to GrantConnect for more information.
 

Cochrane Funding Program grant opportunity – now open 

The Cochrane Funding Program 2026 aims to:

  • support Australian Cochrane review production and evidence synthesis to inform healthcare decision making
  • ensure that resources are allocated to specific, measurable activities that deliver high value outputs.

Eligibility: This grant is only available to Cochrane Australia. Applications will close on Friday 1 May 2026 at 17:00 (AEST).

Applicants must submit the minimum required data by the closing date. It is also the applicant's responsibility to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements.

Details on how to apply can be found on GrantConnect. For further assistance, contact cochrane@nhmrc.gov.au.
 

NHMRC–Swiss National Science Foundation grant opportunity

The 2026 NHMRC–Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) grant opportunity opened for applications on 18 March 2026.  

NHMRC and the SNSF are participating in a bilateral funding opportunity on the topic of AI in healthcare for populations of diverse sex, gender or sexual orientations or other underrepresented population groups.  

This grant opportunity is open to collaborative projects led by at least one Australia based and one Switzerland based investigator.

Key dates for Australia based applicants:

  • Minimum data due on Thursday 28 May 2026 at 17:00 (AEST)
  • Applications will close on Thursday 18 June 2026 at 17:00 (AEST). 

Details are available on GrantConnect, the NHMRC and SNSF’s websites. 
 

Targeted Call for Research on Serving and Ex-Serving Australian Defence Force Members Mental Health and Wellbeing – now open

The Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Serving and Ex-Serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) Members Mental Health and Wellbeing is now open for applications in Sapphire.

This grant opportunity is the Australian Government’s response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Through the NHMRC, $10 million has been committed to support research into the health and wellbeing of serving and ex-serving ADF members.

This TCR will generate high quality evidence and develop practical, implementable actions to improve mental and physical health and promote wellbeing among serving and ex-serving ADF members, with consideration to the impact on their support networks (family, dependants and carers).

  • Minimum data due on Wednesday 29 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEST)
  • Applications will close on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 17:00 (AEST).

Further details available on GrantConnect.

Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
 

Key NHMRC grant program dates

NHMRC grant opportunities are funded through the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).

The following opportunity is opening soon:

  • 2026 Postgraduate Scholarships

    This scheme funds successful applicants to attain a research based postgraduate degree – PhD or a Research Master’s Degree.

    • Applications will open on Wednesday 8 April 2026
    • Minimum data due on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 17:00 (AEST)
    • Applications will close on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 17:00 (AEST).

      New user registrations Applicants and their supervisors need to ensure that their Sapphire account is active or register for access to Sapphire well in advance of the minimum data deadline. It is not possible to start a new application after the minimum data deadline has passed. 

The following opportunity has a minimum data deadline approaching:

  • Ideas Grants
    • Minimum data for applications is due on Wednesday 8 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEST).  

      Minimum data allows NHMRC to start identifying suitable peer reviewers.

      Applicants must complete the required fields with correct information. Using placeholder text is not acceptable as minimum data. Minimum data fields are outlined in Appendix E of the Ideas Grant 2026 Guidelines. The Guidelines and other documents are available on GrantConnect.

      Failure to meet these minimum data requirements by the deadline will result in the application not proceeding. RAOs are not required to certify applications for the purpose of minimum data. Applications should only be certified once they are complete and ready for submission.

The following opportunities are closing soon:

  • 2026 Synergy Grants
    • Applications will close on Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT).

      Application requirements are outlined in section 7.3 of the Synergy Grants 2026 Guidelines available on GrantConnect.
  • Partnership Projects 2026 Peer Review Cycle 1

    • Applications will close on Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT).


      We encourage applicants to work closely with their RAOs in advance of the due date to ensure they can submit applications on time.
       

    • 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 Sapphire related enquiries until Wednesday 1 April 2026 13:00 (AEDT).
      • Only applicants who completed minimum data requirements by the deadline on 18 March 2026 17:00 (AEDT) can submit a full application.
      • Applications submitted after close of round will not be accepted.

      Further information can be found on GrantConnect. For assistance, contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.

  • 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program
    Applications must be submitted: 
    • via Sapphire by Wednesday 1 April 2026 17:00 AEDT and   
    • to the e-ASIA Secretariat by Tuesday 31 March 2026 21:00 AEDT (17:00 Thai standard time UTC+7).  

      Applicants are encouraged to work closely with their RAOs well in advance of the due date to ensure applications are submitted on time.  

      Applicants should note that there has been an update to the e-ASIA common application form. All applications must use the correct form (Revised on 29 January 2026), which can be downloaded from e-ASIA’s website.

      Overseas institutions that will be involved in the planned research activity must be listed in the Participating Institutions section of the NHMRC application (refer Section 6.4, Appendix D of the 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program Guidelines).  

      Details on the health research call are available on the GrantConnect, NHMRC and e-ASIA websites. For assistance, contact help@nhmrc.gov.au. 
       

Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates

The following MRFF grant opportunity has opened for applications: 

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, including limits on the number of times a person can be named as a Chief Investigator on applications submitted to a grant opportunity.

Applicants should ensure:

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

Follow our new Instagram account

We’ve moved and taken the opportunity to start fresh.

Our new official Instagram account is @NHMRC_AU.

Follow us on the new Instagram account for research stories, funding updates and NHMRC news.

Don’t forget you can also keep up to date across our other social channels, too: Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Threads.
 

Key dates

Please see the funding schemes and calendar page.
 

Tracker

See previous editions of Tracker.

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If you have any questions about the newsletter, email communications@nhmrc.gov.au. 

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