Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Indigenous health benefit question now part of more NHMRC grant applications
To help drive equitable health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, all researchers should consider the potential benefits of their research for Indigenous health. Following a successful pilot, NHMRC will be including the Indigenous health benefit question into applications for more schemes across our grant program in 2026.
It is expected that all applicants to relevant schemes carefully consider the benefits of their proposed research for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health, including addressing the Closing the Gap outcomes, and describe these considerations in their applications.
Guidance is available in relevant grant opportunity guidelines on GrantConnect and in NHMRC’s online fact sheet.
Read more on our news centre.
New guidance on the use of identifiable images in NHMRC grant applications
NHMRC has released guidance on the use of identifiable images in grant proposals, which will be rolled out through the NHMRC Grant Opportunity Guidelines. The guidance will be supported by a new declaration in Sapphire.
Applicants must demonstrate that valid consent or appropriate reuse rights have been obtained for any identifiable images of people. Identifiable images are treated as personal information under Australian privacy law.
RAOs are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the guidance on use of identifiable images in Grant Opportunity Guidelines released from 1 June 2026 onwards, and to support applicants to consider image use and consent requirements early in application development.
The guidance text is available on NHMRC’s news centre.
Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Strategy – webinar overview
The National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026–2036 sets out a 10 year vision for strengthening Australia’s health and medical research system and improving outcomes for the community.
The Strategy provides a national framework to build on Australia’s world leading research capability, improve coordination across the sector, and support the translation of research into real world impact for all Australians.
Led by Ms Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM and developed through extensive engagement with the health and medical research sector, the Strategy reflects a shared vision for the future of Australia’s research system.
Join our upcoming public webinar for an overview of the Strategy. This session will walk through the key themes, priorities and opportunities identified in the Strategy, and what they mean for the sector.
This webinar will take place on Friday 26 June 2026 from 10:00AM–12:00PM AEST.
Register on Microsoft Teams here.
NHMRC Speaking of Science - Bowel cancer prevention: from discovery and innovation to impact on survival in Australia
Colorectal or bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia. Yet it is also one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early.
In recognition of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, NHMRC will be joined by Emeritus Professor of the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, Professor Graeme Young AM, to discuss innovative research into bowel cancer screening and prevention, and how this has impacted survival rates in Australia.
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 25 June 2026 from 11:00AM–12:00PM AEST.
Register on Microsoft Teams here.
Invitation for public submissions: Australian Pregnancy Care and Postnatal Care guidelines
The Living Evidence for Australian Pregnancy and Postnatal Care (LEAPP) consortium is seeking NHMRC approval under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 for its Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines and Australian Postnatal Care Guidelines.
Consultation on draft living recommendations from both guidelines is now open until Monday 29 June 2026.
To view these recommendations and make a submission, please follow the hyperlinks below.
The Pregnancy Care living recommendations include:
- new guidance on psychological birth trauma
- updated guidance on human papillomavirus screening, linked to the Australian Cervical Screening Program
- minor wording changes to a series of recommendations on nutritional supplements.
The Postnatal Care living recommendations include:
- new guidance on psychological birth trauma
- updated guidance on perineal health and healing, including new recommendations on pain relief for perineal wounds, and a minor update to the recommendation on the use of menstrual products.
Find out more about the 5-year Australian Pregnancy and Postnatal Care Living Guidelines project on the LEAPP Guidelines’ website.
Invitation for public submissions: Australian and New Zealand Living Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management
The Stroke Foundation is seeking NHMRC approval under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 for living recommendations for its Australian and New Zealand Living Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management.
Consultation on draft living recommendations is now open until Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 17:00 AEST.
To view the recommendations and make a submission, visit the Australian and New Zealand Living Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management.
Alternatively, feedback may be emailed to guidelines@strokefoundation.org.au.
Find out more on the InformMe website.
2026 NHMRC-Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases - Stage One applications closing soon
Applicants to the 2026 NHMRC-GACD: Multisectoral Approaches grant opportunity are reminded that Stage One applications must be submitted to the GACD portal by Thursday 18 June 2026 at 02:00AM AEST (Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 16:00 UTC).
Applicants should refer to the GACD website 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 Stage One 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 online applications portal.
Applicants are reminded that:
- shortlisted Stage One applicants will be invited by GACD to submit a Stage Two application and respond to reviewer feedback in the GACD Portal, and
- shortlisted Stage One applicants applying to NHMRC for funding will be required to complete a Sapphire application with their final GACD application uploaded.
Applications submitted after close of round will not be accepted.
Further information on NHMRC processes can be found on the NHMRC-GACD webpage and GrantConnect.
2026 NHMRC-Swiss National Science Foundation grant opportunity closing soon
The 2026 NHMRC-Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) grant opportunity is closing soon.
Applications must be submitted:
- to the SNSF Secretariat by Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 17:00 CET, and
- via Sapphire by Thursday 18 June 2026 at 17:00 AEST.
Applicants are encouraged to work closely with their RAOs well in advance of the due date to ensure applications are submitted on time.
Details are available on GrantConnect, NHMRC’s website and the SNSF website.
For assistance, please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.
Key NHMRC grant program dates
NHMRC grant opportunities are funded through the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).
The following grant opportunity has opened for applications:
2027 Investigator Grants round
- Minimum data due on Wednesday 1 July 2026 by 17:00 (AEST)
- Applications will close on Wednesday 29 July 2026 at 17:00 (AEST).
The following resources are available on Grant Connect to assist applicants and RAOs prepare applications:
- Investigator Grants 2027 Guidelines
- Investigator Grants 2027 Peer Review Guidelines
- Investigator Grant Proposal template.
To determine eligibility to apply for 2027 Investigator Grants, please use the Eligibility Web Tool.
Research Help Centre (RHC) and Sapphire requests
Applicants need to ensure that their Sapphire account is active or register for access to Sapphire well in advance of the minimum data deadline. Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information or assistance.
Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates
The following MRFF grant opportunity has opened for applications:
- 2026 Early to Mid-Career Researchers Grant Opportunity (GO8417)
- Minimum data due Wednesday 22 July 2026 at 17:00 AEST
- Applications close on Wednesday 19 August 2026 at 17:00 AEST.
The following MRFF grant opportunity has a close date approaching:
- 2026 Traumatic Brain Injury Mission Grant Opportunity (GO8208)
- Applications close on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 17:00 AEST.
- Applications close on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 17:00 AEST.
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:
- their Sapphire account is active or access to Sapphire has been requested
- their organisation is an approved MRFF Eligible Organisation before the minimum data due 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 and ABN (if applicable).
MRFF grant assessment committee self nomination
Register your interest to become a member of a MRFF grant assessment committee.
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.