Tracker - 6 May 2024

Investigator Grants 2024 outcomes announcement

NHMRC welcomed the announcement of the funding outcomes for the 2024 Investigator Grant round by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, on Thursday 2 May 2024.

The announcement of over $411 million in funding will support 229 outstanding health and medical research leaders across Australia. The media release for this announcement is available on NHMRC’s website and outcomes data available on NHMRC’s Outcomes of funding rounds webpage.

“Being NHMRC’s largest flagship funding scheme, the annual announcement of the Investigator Grant outcomes is always keenly anticipated by the research sector and this year is no exception” said NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh speaking on the announcement.

Reminder for Ideas Grants 2024

Ideas Grant 2024 applicants must ensure that any Chief Investigators (Cis) who have been offered an Investigator Grant in the 2024 funding round are removed ahead of the Ideas Grant round closing on 15 May 2024. While changes to CIs after minimum data are usually discouraged, NHMRC understands this is required to ensure Ideas Grant applications remain eligible.

Transforming health and medical research in Australia

NHMRC welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement that it is investing in the transformation of health and medical research in Australia, through a total investment of $1.89 billion and the development of a National Health and Medical Research Strategy (National Strategy).

The $1.89 billion investment includes:

• $1.4 billion under the MRFF for new research into reducing health system inequality and cancers with low survival rates, continuing existing streams of MRFF funding, and research into women’s health, chronic pain and alcohol and other drug treatment

• $411 million to support 229 emerging and established researchers for researcher-led investigation into some of Australia’s most pressing health challenges. Funding is from NHMRC’s Investigator Grants scheme

• $62 million for 26 projects under the MRFF’s Clinical Trials Activity initiative. These clinical trials will focus on a diverse range of areas including Car T-cell therapy and treatments for PTSD, rare cancers and osteoarthritis.

The Australian Government also announced it’s plans to develop a National Strategy to build on Australia’s strengths, fill any gaps and attract researchers and investors.

Outcomes of the national consultation on the alignment of the MRFF and NHMRC’s Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) has also now been released. Read the consultation report here.

Submissions from the consultation are available here.

We will keep you up to date with activities relating to the national strategy and the alignment of the MRFF and MREA through Tracker.

Partnership Projects 2023 Peer Review Cycle 1 (PRC1) funding announced

 NHMRC welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of Partnership Project grants totalling over $15.6 million on Monday 29 April 2024.

These grants support researchers to partner with policy makers and health service providers to design and deliver research that addresses health needs in our community. Researchers work with partners to define research questions and undertake research that the partners then translate into improved health services for end users.

Projects receiving funding will be supported by over 85 funding partners, who together, are contributing a further $28.6 million, bringing the total investment in the collaborative research to over $44.2 million.

Find out more about the projects funded in NHMRC's media release.

Call for comments: Review of the 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines for PSA Testing and Early Management of Test-detected Prostate Cancer

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is reviewing its NHMRC approved 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing and Early Management of Test-detected Prostate Cancer (the 2016 Guidelines).

Those impacted by prostate cancer are encouraged to comment on the 2016 Guidelines, in a bid to help strengthen systems for detecting the disease early. Submissions will be used to inform the development of revised guidelines to be released in 2025.

The call for comments is now open until Friday 31 May 2024. To make a submission follow this link.

NHMRC Speaking of Science – Unlocking the power of Indigenous co-design and intervention: Transformative outcomes through authentic collaboration with Professor Maree Toombs

 This National Reconciliation Week, join us as we host distinguished researcher and Indigenous leader, Professor Maree Toombs, for our Speaking of Science May webinar.

With over 20 years' experience in teaching and developing curriculum with an Indigenous perspective both in education and health, Professor Toombs, now the Professor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the UNSW School of Population Health, is a leader in research focused on mental health and suicide intervention.

In this webinar, Professor Toombs will discuss how unlocking the power of Indigenous co-design and intervention can lead to transformative outcomes through authentic collaboration. 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 30 May 2024 from 11:00 to 12:00 AEST.

Register on Eventbrite here.

Please note that this webinar will be recorded and published to NHMRC’s website afterwards as part of our new ‘Speaking of Science’ series.

If you have any questions for the event organisers, you can reach us at media@nhmrc.gov.au.

Applications now open: 7th GACD Implementation Science School 2024

 The highly competitive 7th GACD Implementation Science School (ISS) is now open for applications.

ISS is an annual programme that provides an opportunity for researchers to enhance their skills and knowledge in implementation science, facilitated by some of the field’s most prominent global experts.

Key details:
• Application deadline: Monday 17 June 2024 at 07:00 UTC
• Fully online: All sessions and resources are provided online
• Cost: FREE
• School dates: 2 September to 23 September 2024.

To apply, interested candidates should submit their application through the online portal available on GACD’s website.

NHMRC/MREA – grant opportunities key dates

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

NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships 2024:

NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships 2024 scheme opened for applications on Wednesday 10 April 2024.

• Keu Dates:
  • Minimum data due Wednesday 8 May 2024 17:00 AEST
  • Applications close Wednesday 5 June 2024 17:00 AEST.

The following NHMRC/MREA grant opportunities are closing soon:

Ideas Grants 2024:
Applications for the Ideas Grants scheme close on Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:00 AEST.

All applicants (CI and AI) listed on an application must have an active Sapphire account. NHMRC may not be able to process requests for new registrations made less than 3 business days before the application close deadline.
 
Further details are available on GrantConnect.

NHMRC-GACD 2024:
The NHMRC-GACD 2024 grant opportunity (9th GACD funding call - Management of Multiple Long-Term Conditions) opened for applications in February 2024.

• Key dates:
  • First stage applications due by: Wednesday 15 May 2024.

Applicants should refer to the GACD webpage for further information.

Applicants proposing to undertake research which specifically relates to the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must address NHMRC’s Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria in their first stage application.

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

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