NHMRC facilitates Australian researchers' participation in collaborative research projects with international researchers through both bilateral and multilateral arrangements.
Applicants can apply for NHMRC funding through the schemes listed on this page.
We engage strategically with international funding agencies and participate in funding schemes that align with the NHMRC International Engagement Strategy 2023-2026.
To participate in these schemes, your personal information may need to be disclosed by NHMRC to overseas recipients, generally for the purposes of peer review of your grant application. You will be advised of this possibility at the time of making your application.
For further information on open grant opportunities with NHMRC's international partners, refer to Find funding.
On this page:
- e-ASIA Joint Research Program
- European Partnership for Brain Health
- European Union Framework Programme – Horizon Europe
- Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- MRFF and NHMRC – Clinical Trials Activity Initiative
- Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research (NEURON)
e-ASIA Joint Research Program
The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) was established in 2012 to promote innovation and contribute to economic development in the East Asian region. e-ASIA aims to achieve this by supporting international joint research projects, through multilateral processes, as well as promoting researcher interaction through workshops.
NHMRC became a member organisation of the e-ASIA JRP on 2 November 2016.
Current status
NHMRC funded 6 Australian research projects through the 2025 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program Grant Opportunity in the Health Research stream on the topic of Infectious Disease and Immunology (including antimicrobial resistance).
NHMRC is participating in the 15th e-ASIA Joint Research Program grant opportunity in the Health Research stream on the following two topics: Infectious Disease and Immunology, and Advanced Medical Research and Enabling Technologies.
For more information, visit the 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA JRP webpage or the e-ASIA website.
European Partnership for Brain Health
The EP BrainHealth gathers 51 partners from 31 countries, with the common goal of improving brain health for all by developing scientific knowledge as a foundation to promote brain health throughout lifetime, to prevent and to cure brain diseases as well as to improve wellbeing of people living with neurological and mental disorders in Europe and beyond.
NHMRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EP BrainHealth in October 2025 to participate in the EP BrainHealth Joint Transnational Call for Proposals.
Current status
NHMRC is providing up to $4 million to support Australia-based researchers who are participating as partners in transnational consortia through the European Partnership for Brain Health (EP BrainHealth) Call for Proposals for research projects on biological, social and environmental factors that impact the trajectory of brain health across the lifespan.
EP BrainHealth offers two calls: one in the field of neurological, mental disorders and sensory disorders (EP BrainHealth Call 1) and one in the field of neurodegenerative disorders (EP BrainHealth Call 2).
NHMRC aims to fund the Australia-based components of research, where the transnational consortium has been recommended for funding by EP BrainHealth.
For more information, visit the 2026 NHMRC EP BrainHealth web page or the EP BrainHealth website.
European Union Framework Programme – Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s key funding programme for research and innovation. With an indicative budget of EUR 93.5 billion for 2021–2027, Horizon Europe supports international collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in addressing global challenges, such as climate change. The NHMRC-Horizon Europe grant scheme enables Australian researchers to participate in leading international projects under Horizon Europe. It supports the creation and sharing of high-quality knowledge and technologies while promoting industrial competitiveness and economic growth.
Current status
Applications to the EC through the 2025 NHMRC-Horizon Europe Grant Scheme closed on 22 September 2025.
NHMRC will invite Australia-based researchers who are listed on eligible applications deemed fundable by the European Commission to apply for NHMRC support for the Australian component of research under the topics outlined in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. Details of NHMRC’s selected topics for the 2025 NHMRC-Horizon Europe grant opportunity, along with further information, are available on GrantConnect.
Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases
NHMRC is an Associate Member of the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), an alliance of international health research funding agencies that support joint grant opportunities and research capacity and capability building activities to address chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs). GACD’s mission is to reduce the burden of chronic NCDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and in underserved groups such as Indigenous Populations facing conditions of inequity in high-income countries (HICs).
NHMRC's CEO is a member of the GACD Strategy Board and NHMRC’s former CEO served as Chair in 2019 and 2020.
Current status
NHMRC is supporting Australian researchers to participate in the 10th GACD Funding Call: Strengthening Health Systems. The objective of this grant opportunity is to fund implementation research addressing strategies for strengthening of health systems to improve equity in high quality care and health outcomes, and reduce the prevalence and impact of NCDs in LMICs and/or in underserved populations experiencing health disparities such as Indigenous Populations, in HICs. Find out more about NHMRC’s participation in the GACD Strengthening Health Systems grant opportunity on the 2025 Grant page and the GACD website.
The GACD has launched the Implementation Science e-Hub. The e-Hub is a free, virtual platform for knowledge and skill development in implementation research. For further information visit the GACD website.
Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) is Japan's national body to promote integrated research and development in the field of medicine, from basic research to clinical trials.
Current status
NHMRC and AMED renewed a Memorandum of Cooperation in November 2022. NHMRC is working with AMED to advance the development of research cooperation in health and medical research between Japan and Australia.
AMED's Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for an Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) program is designed to foster the exchange of information and to encourage collaboration between Japan and partner countries.
NHMRC-AMED 2024 ASPIRE Collaborative Research Scheme
NHMRC and AMED collaborated on a joint funding call in 2024. The grant opportunity funded 3 large-scale collaborative joint research projects which will strengthen networks and relationships between Japan and Australia, promote international mobility and circulation, and contribute to long-term collaborative networks.
MRFF and NHMRC – Clinical Trials Activity Initiative
The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and NHMRC – Clinical Trials Activity (CTA) Initiative – 2025 Australia-UK Platform Studies in Areas of Unmet Clinical Need Grant Opportunity will support new, adaptive platform trials (Phase 2 or 3) in areas of unmet clinical need. The platform must be internationally collaborative, with joint project leads based in Australia (for the Australian-based component of the trial) and the UK (for the UK-based component of the trial).
The anticipated outcome of the research is to invest in new, ambitious platform trials in areas of unmet clinical need that support increased access to high-quality, evidence-based and effective health care.
This grant opportunity is a collaboration between the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) UK, the MRFF and the NHMRC to support research in shared areas of interest in Australia and the UK. MRFF and NHMRC funding is available to support the Australian-based arm of the proposed trial.
Current Status
Applications are expected to be open by Q2 (April to June) 2026. Further details on how to apply for the grant opportunities are on GrantConnect.
Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research
Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research (NEURON) was established under the European Research Area Networks (ERA-NET) scheme of the European Commission and ceased operation in 2026. The EP BrainHealth initiative takes on ERA-NET NEURON’s commitment to advancing high quality research on brain health neuroscience.
Current status
ERA-NET NEURON has ceased operation, with funding activities transitioning to the EP BrainHealth initiative.
