The 2026 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) grant opportunity focuses on implementation research maximising collaboration and coordination with sectors and in settings beyond the healthcare system to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases in underserved populations.

Together with other GACD Associate Members, NHMRC invites investigators to submit implementation research proposals focused on strategies leveraging opportunities provided by settings and sectors beyond the health system in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and/or for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. While the focus is on settings outside of the healthcare system, collaboration with the relevant healthcare system(s) as part of the project is expected to facilitate effective design and knowledge mobilisation.

Additional funding may be available for applications which support:

  • Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research and researchers
  • defined priorities outlined in the NHMRC International Engagement Strategy
  • are jointly funded with other GACD Associate Members.

Application process 

GACD opens funding call

  • Applicants intending to apply for funding from NHMRC should advise of their intent to participate in the call via email to international@nhmrc.gov.au.
  • Applicants intending to apply for funding or joint funding from other GACD Associate Member funding agencies should follow the requirements for that funding agency.

Stage 1

  • Stage 1 proposals submitted to the GACD application portal by the due date advertised on GACD's website.
  • Stage 1 proposals are verified and compliant applications assessed by GACD Joint International Peer Review Panel.
  • Applicants notified of Stage 1 review outcomes by GACD.

Stage 2

  • Shortlisted applicants are invited by GACD to submit a Stage 2 proposal and respond to reviewer feedback in the GACD application portal, by the due date advertised on GACD's website.
  • NHMRC invites successful Australia-based researchers to apply to NHMRC for support of the Australian components of the research by submitting an application in Sapphire. The NHMRC Sapphire application will include a budget justification for the funding requested from NHMRC, and upload of the final Stage 2 proposal submitted to GACD through the GACD application portal.
  • Meeting of the GACD Joint International Peer Review Panel to assess Stage 2 proposals.
  • GACD notifies NHMRC of applications deemed fundable by the GACD Joint International Panel.
  • NHMRC assesses the requested Australian budget component of fundable applications.
  • Funding recommendation approval process.

Further details of the funding call and guidance documents can be found on the GACD website.

Grant at a glance

Duration of funding
1 to 5 years
Level of funding
$5,000,000

Key changes

For joint funding applications to GACD which request funds from NHMRC as a secondary funding agency, an Australia-based lead investigator must be identified within the research team of the Stage 1 GACD proposal to lead the NHMRC-funded components of the proposal. The Australia-based lead investigator must meet the NHMRC Chief Investigator A eligibility requirements and will be responsible for fulfilling the obligations and requirements of Chief Investigator A outlined at sections 7.7 and 10.3 of the 2026 NHMRC-GACD Guidelines.

Applicants can be named as a Chief Investigator A on a maximum of one application for the 2026 NHMRC-GACD Multisectoral Approaches funding call.