2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program (GO8133)

Program description

The e-ASIA JRP selects research projects through an open call for proposals. Fields of cooperation are decided among the e-ASIA participating member organisations and funding is for up to 3 years.

NHMRC’s participation in the e-ASIA JRP is consistent with NHMRC’s International Engagement Strategy and Corporate Plan.

The 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA grant opportunity will support Australian participation and partnership in international collaborative research through the e-ASIA JRP 15th call for proposals under the Health Research stream.

2026 NHMRC e-ASIA – Health Research stream

NHMRC has allocated up to $4.5 million to support up to 6 grants (with a capped maximum value of $750,000 per grant) for the Australian component of successful projects in the e-ASIA JRP 15th Health Research stream. Applications are invited for projects commencing in 2026 addressing the research topics of either:

• Call Topic 1: Infectious Diseases and Immunology  
• Call Topic 2: Advanced Medical research & Enabling Technologies

as identified in the e-ASIA JRP Health Research 15th call text available on the e-ASIA website.

Participating member organisations in this call are:

1. Australia – National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
2. China – The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
3. Indonesia – National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
4. Japan – Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
5. Philippines – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCHRD)
6. Singapore – Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
7. United States of America – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Application process

1. e-ASIA and member organisations open the call.
   • The Lead Principal Investigator of the collaborative project is required to submit the Common Application to the e-ASIA Program Secretariat by the specified due date of 31 March 2026. For more details please visit the e-ASIA website.
   • Collaborating partners are responsible for submitting completed applications to respective member organisations supporting the topic call in line with their application closing dates.
   • Applicants from Australia-based teams must also submit an application as outlined in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines to NHMRC through Sapphire by 17:00 AEDT 1 April 2026.
2. NHMRC conducts eligibility checks for Australian collaborations.
3. NHMRC conducts peer review of applications submitted.
4. NHMRC submits short listed eligible applications to the e-ASIA Joint Review Meeting.
5. e-ASIA Joint Review Meeting compiles a final ranking list and recommendations for funding presented to the e-ASIA Board for approval.
6. NHMRC funding recommendations approval process.

Eligibility

The e-ASIA JRP has specific eligibility criteria for applicants. Applications will be excluded from consideration if eligibility requirements are not met, including:

• A minimum of 3 collaborating partners from supporting member organisations participating in a call topic, per application.
• Applications specific to each participating member organisation must be completed by the Chief Investigator in their respective country. More detailed eligibility requirements can be found in the e-ASIA 15th Health Research call text available on the e-ASIA website.

For details regarding the 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA JRP peer review process, refer to the:

• 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA JRP Peer Review Guidelines available on Grant Connect.