Information for MRFF Scientific reporting and milestones

Progress reports

MRFF grantees are required to submit progress reports for most MRFF grant opportunities administered by NHMRC. Specific reporting milestones and milestone dates for grants are detailed in NHMRC’s grants management system.

MRFF grants have standardised progress reporting due dates as follows:

• MRFF grants with annual progress reporting requirements are required to submit reports by 30 September of each year for the duration of the grant
• MRFF grants with bi-annual (6 monthly) progress reporting requirements are required to submit reports by 30 September and 31 March each year for the duration of the grant.

MRFF grants have standardised progress reporting periods as follows:

• Annual progress reports (due 30 September) will report on the previous financial year – for example:
  • Annual reports due 30 September 2026 will report on the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
• Bi-annual progress reports (due 31 March and 30 September) will report on the following periods – for example:
  • Bi-annual reports due 31 March 2026 will report on the period 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025
  • Bi-annual reports due 30 September 2026 will report on the period 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026.

Revisions to reporting requirements effective from 1 June 2026 affect grants commencing on or after 1 June 2026 (Grants due to start prior to this date with an approved deferment are excluded):

• For grants with a duration of less than three (3) years, the grantee must report on the progress of the Research Activity throughout the grant period. Progress reports are due annually by 30 September, or six monthly by 31 March as applicable.
• For grants with a duration of three (3) years or more, progress reporting will only be required from year two (2). Reports are due annually by 30 September, or six monthly by 31 March and 30 September, as applicable.
• A small number of MRFF grantees may have reporting periods outside the standard periods above. RAOs are reminded to check NHMRC’s grants management system for reporting requirements and their due dates.

MRFF CIAs should complete and submit their report via NHMRC’s grants management system by the due date specified in the system. Reporting templates can be progressively completed and saved in preparation for submission by the due date.

If MRFF progress reports are not submitted to NHMRC by the due date, this will affect outstanding grant payments. The Commonwealth reserves the right to amend or adjust the requirements of progress reports as necessary.

Grantees must note that the MRFF progress report template available in NHMRC’s grants management system may be amended or adjusted from time to time.

Final reports

A final report must be completed within 6 months of the Research Activity End Date, relinquishment or termination of the grant. The due date for this report is specified in NHMRC’s grants management system.

MRFF CIAs should complete and submit their final report via the grants management system by the due date as specified in system. Reporting templates can be progressively completed and saved in preparation for submission by the due date.

The final report template available in system may be amended or adjusted from time to time. The Commonwealth may ask for additional information upon review of final reports.

Additional reporting

The Commonwealth may, at its discretion ask the grantee to provide a progress report for year one (1) of the grant period or to provide additional  ad-hoc progress reports. The grantee must provide these reports in the timeframes notified by the Commonwealth. The grantee might also be asked to participate and provide information about the activity as part of the overarching evaluation of the MRFF.

Guidance on how to submit a report or other milestone in NHMRC’s grants management system is available in the Knowledge Base. Further information and supporting resources can be found on the MRFF grants management resources page, noting that for NHMRC administered MRFF grants the relevant current report templates are available and are to be completed within the grants management system, not downloaded from the website.