Updated scientific progress report for NHMRC funded (MREA) grants

The revisions to the MREA progress report template balanced collecting the valuable information with minimum burden on the researchers by asking targeted questions to support evaluation and improved data quality whilst reducing duplication by linking our data to other data sources.

The objectives of the MREA progress report are to:

• gain a better understanding of the achievement against outcomes for targeted research
• inform improved transparency, increased scrutiny, and increased research collaboration
• continue collecting outcomes data for communication and outreach purposes
• gain further understanding of research impact reporting through the grant life cycle.

The new questions cover:

• Identification of activities including clinical trials and collection of clinical trial registry details that will allow NHMRC to link our data to that held in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).
• Identification of risks and issues encountered during the research activity and changes to the research activity that may change the aims and objectives of the research requiring a variation under the Grantee Variations Policy.
• Achievements against activity milestones to inform evaluation of research outputs, outcomes and impacts from the grant.
• Collection of digital object identifiers where applicable.

Other information, such as publications, research datasets, qualifications, awards, prizes and supervision/mentoring, is collected through the CIA’s completion of their Sapphire profile.

NHMRC have considered the revisions to the MREA progress report format alongside the MRFF report templates to harmonise the forms across both funding types.

The new MREA progress report is available in Sapphire to all CIAs from applicable schemes from mid-November 2025.

NHMRC is communicating with RAOs, CIAs and the medical research sector about the logistics for implementing this change.

The MREA progress report is due 30 April annually.

Transitioning to the new template

The revised MREA progress report is available on the existing Progress Report milestone for reports due late 2025 and 2026 onwards, and any unsubmitted overdue reports. Workflows and approvals will not change.

1. If there is no progress report initiated for the report due April 2025 (status: overdue), we ask CIAs to submit that report immediately as these are now overdue.
2. If a progress report due in April 2026 is in progress but not yet submitted to the RAO, when the new template is released, the existing content will be lost. We recommend making a copy of the information completed to date for re-entry into the new template once available.
3. If a progress report has been submitted to the RAO and no changes are required by the CIA, it should be submitted to NHMRC as usual.
4. If a progress report has been submitted to the RAO and changes are required when it is sent back to the CIA, the previous content will be lost. It should be revised as requested and / or responses updated and returned to the RAO for submission prior to the release date for the revised template.
5. If a progress report has been submitted to NHMRC and no changes are required, it will be processed as usual.

Please note the RAO is certifying the progress report in system using the current process. The expectation is that the data included in the report by the CIA has been confirmed and verified by the CIA prior to submitting to the RAO.

For more information contact:

• postaward.management@nhmrc.gov.au for scheme requirements and when to complete the MREA Progress Report and enquiries about the MREA Progress Report, including queries about completing the new questions.
• Research Help Centre or 1800 500 983 for assistance with Sapphire.