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FAQ's on applying for NHMRC funding
1.1 |
What fields of health research does NHMRC support? |
All areas of research relevant to human health and medical research are eligible for funding by the NHMRC.
1.2 |
Who can apply for NHMRC research funding? |
NHMRC research funding is open to most researchers in Australia . NHMRC funding is however very competitive and applicants should have a considerable record of achievement relevant to the level and type of funding sought. Applicants must apply through an NHMRC Administering Institution.
» See more information on Administering Institutions Policy
Intending applicants should note that the extensive peer review processes employed by the NHMRC to ensure the very best science is funded means that for most research funding applications there is, on average, a 6 month peer review process (eg. applications lodged early in 2004 will normally be for funding to commence in 2005). Intending applicants should familiarise themselves with the details and proposed time lines for grant types that they are interested in.
Normally information about all NHMRC funding schemes for the coming year is advertised in The Australian - Higher Education Supplement on the first Wednesday in December. Information and related documentation associated with NHMRC calls for applications are also be available on the NHMRC website. Information is also provided to the Research Administration Offices of research institutions.
1.3 |
How does the NHMRC ensure the research it funds is conducted in an ethical manner? |
The Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) is a principal committee of NHMRC and was established under the NHMRC Act 1992. The Act sets out AHEC's functions, which are to advise NHMRC on ethical issues relating to health and developing guidelines for the conduct of medical research involving humans. In addition, the Minister for Health and Ageing exercises powers under the Act to expand AHEC's functions to include the promotion of community debate on health ethics issues, monitoring the work of human research ethics committees (HRECs) and monitoring and advising on international developments in health ethics.
Each research application must obtain ethics clearances from the relevant institution(s) ethics committees before any NHMRC funds are released. Researchers must adhere to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) and the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. Administering Institutions to which the funding is paid must comply with various guidelines and statements of research practice aimed at ensuring ethical conduct in research. If a researcher moves their research from one institution to another, NHMRC funding will automatically cease until all ethics clearances are received from the new institution.
The NHMRC's Research Committee has additional measures in place to ensure that appropriate advice is received on applications for funding in indigenous health.
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1.4 |
Can members of the community play an active role in medical research? |
The NHMRC supports an active role for the community in health and medical research. The NHMRC and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia Inc (CHF) worked in partnership with consumers and researchers to develop the Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research.
The Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research was developed in recognition of the contribution that consumers can make to research, as well as their right to participate in research. It is intended as a guide to consumer and community participation at all levels and across all types of health and medical research.
1.5 |
How does the NHMRC target research in particular priority areas? |
As a key research funding agency with regards to the National Research Priorities (NRP) of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health , the NHMRC intends to address, as its initial contribution to the NRP initiative, the three health NRPs: Healthy Start to Life, Ageing Well, Ageing Productively, and Preventive Healthcare. The process, involving consultations, will be designed to provide a collaborative mechanism for identifying the most effective strategic responses to achieve desired health and other outcomes, and establish networks across disciplines and sectors.
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1.6 |
If I apply for a targeted research project and am unsuccessful, can I submit the same application for a Project Grant? |
Yes, applications can be re-submitted to NHMRC funding schemes. Applicants must be aware however, that some changes may need to be made to the research proposal to meet different criteria.
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1.7 |
Is the process for targeted research grants different from the usual Project Grant rounds? |
Yes. Project Grant rounds are held annually with calls made in December. The call asks for full applications to be submitted. Targeted research programs call for research at Research Committee's discretion throughout the year and may ask for Expressions of Interest to be submitted. The Expression of Interest step was developed to encourage researchers to apply for targeted research grants by making the first step of the application less time consuming, and by ranking the Expressions of Interest, increase the success rate of those invited to submit full applications. Expressions of Interest are short applications, which contain the essence of the project but should not be an onerous task to prepare. The Expressions of Interest are ranked by an Assessment Panel and the higher ranked applicants are invited to submit a full application. In both targeted and Project Grant rounds the full applications are subjected to peer assessment with the highest ranked being recommended for funding. However the criteria for assessing targeted research may be different, for it may emphasise the strategic relevance of the research, with less emphasis to the track records of the investigators. The assessment criteria for all targeted research will be clearly advised in the application process.
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1.8 |
Does the NHMRC fund medical research outside Australia? |
The NHMRC funds research that will benefit the health of all Australians. In line with the NHMRC Act, generalised medical research conducted outside Australia that does not have a substantial link to health outcomes in Australia is not funded. However if an applicant can demonstrate that a component of the research is required to be done overseas and that the research will provide a substantial benefit to the health of Australians NHMRC funding may be used to that effect. NHMRC research funding is paid via NHMRC Administering Institutions within Australia to holders of NHMRC research funding at that institution.
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1.9 |
What is the NHMRC doing to attract eminent Australian health and medical researchers back to Australia? |
In 2001, the Burnet Award was introduced by Research Committee, with the aim of bringing Australian health and medical researchers of exceptionally high calibre and international standing back to Australia , to both conduct internationally competitive research, and to provide career development for members of the research team associated with the award. Applicants must be Australian citizens who have spent at least seven years overseas. The award is for five years duration and fully "one line" to allow for maximum flexibility in the use of funds. Three Burnet Award have been provided since its introduction in 2001 - Professor Tony McMichael, Professor Peter Doherty and Professor Jonathan Sprent. The award is no longer available with the final call for applications closing on 11 August 2006.
NHMRC are pleased to advise of the introduction of the Australia Fellowship for Health and Medical Research (Australia Fellowship). This new Fellowship aims to attract and retain leading health and medical researchers. The Australia Fellowship is for outstanding health and medical researchers across all disciplines and will consist of a one line budget of $800,000 per annum for five years. Applications are invited from leading researchers both in Australia and around the world.
There is also the Howard Florey Centenary Fellowship, the purpose of which is to provide a vehicle for Australian researchers working overseas to return to Australia and continue with a biomedical/health related research career. This award is designed for more junior researchers and applicants would usually have between two to five years postdoctoral experience.
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1.10 |
How can I stay informed of new developments and of changes to existing schemes? |
The NHMRC has a direct email communication with all Research Administration Officers (RAOs) at institutions eligible for and/or receiving funding from NHMRC. Any changes to new funding schemes are notified to the RAOs. RAOs are also notified of new postings on the web, including media releases of funding outcomes.
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1.11 |
Where do I find information about NHMRC current funding for research? |
The quick links "Research" on the NHMRC homepage provide access to information about research funding.
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1.12 |
types of funding does the NHMRC provide? |
A complete description of the type of NHMRC research funding scheme to be offered in 2004 is available in "Description of Types of Research Grants for funding commencing in 2005".
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/research/general/grts2004.pdf(PDF, 127kb) 
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1.13 |
How many applications did the NHMRC receive in recent years for its main funding schemes? |
Research Fellowships - In 2003, 119 applications were received, of which 46 were successful. By comparison, in 2002, 123 applications were received, of which 24 were successful.
Career Development Awards - In 2003, 148 applications were received, of which 39 were successful. By comparison, in 2002, 135 applications were received, of which 39 were successful.
Training Awards - In 2003, there were 308 applications for Scholarships, with 159 awarded, and 307 applications for Training Fellowships with 91 awarded. By comparison, in 2002, there were 299 applications for Scholarships with 154 awarded and 173 applications for Training Fellowships with 82 awarded.
Project Grants - In 2003, there were 1798 applications for Project Grant funding, of which 407 were successful.
Program Grants - In 2003, there were 27 applications for Program Grant funding, of which 11 were successful.
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1.14 |
How do I find out how to apply for NHMRC funding? |
The NHMRC homepage has a quick link called "Apply for research funding", that has links to all funding available through the NHMRC. Cross links to policy and the conditions associated with different grant types are provided.
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1.15 |
How can I provide comments and feedback on funding schemes offered by the NHMRC? |
The NHMRC and Research Committee encourages feedback, comments and suggestions from health and medical researchers and the wider community. There are also legislative requirements for public consultation and comment for some of the NHMRC's core work.
Commencing in June 2004, the NHMRC will undertake national consultations as part of a review of a number of its funding schemes, including Program Grants, Research Fellowships and Practitioner Fellowships. Further information about the consultations and reviews will be available on the NHMRC website by June 2004.
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1.16 |
If I wish to make an objection in relation to, or obtain clarification of the results of my application, how do I do this? |
Unless otherwise indicated in correspondence all written objections/questions, should be directed, in the first instance to:
Executive Director
Centre for Research Management and Policy
MDP 33
NHMRC
GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601
The relevant area of the office of the NHMRC will, where possible, deal with any issues you may have. If the NHMRC is unable to satisfy your concerns, you may direct them to the Commissioner of Complaints.
Information regarding the process for having complaints dealt with by the Commissioner of Complaints can be obtained from the NHMRC website.
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1.17 |
What is the difference between an:? |
• Administering Institution;
• Approved Research Institute;
• Independent Accredited Medical Research Institute; and
• Accredited Health and Medical Research Institutes.
Administering Institution
An Administering Institution is an organisation that the NHMRC recognises for the purposes of directly applying for, and subsequently administering, NHMRC research and researcher support funding.
Applications for all NHMRC funding schemes will only be accepted from applicants whose research will be conducted under the auspices of an Administering Institution.
To be recognised as an Administering Institution, an organisation must have policies and procedures in place for the management of public funds, and for the proper conduct of research in relation to ethics and good scientific conduct. The organisation must also ensure that appropriate infrastructure support will be provided.
The NHMRC's Administering Institution Policy describes the process for obtaining administering institution status. Organisations seeking such status must supply information to the NHMRC demonstrating that it satisfies the policy.
The process involves the organisation completing a registration form and returning it, along with appropriate supporting documentation providing evidence of compliance with various criteria, to the NHMRC.
Approved Research Institute
An Approved Research Institute is an organisation that is recognised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for the purposes of collecting gifts of monies for research purposes and allowing donors to claim tax exemptions for their gifts.
Applications for Approved Research Institute status are considered by the ATO. The procedure for applying for such status is as follows:
The applicant submits an application to the ATO. The application is assessed according to the "Guidelines for applications as an Approved Research Institute under section 73A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936" (a copy of the guidelines is available from the ATO). Once the ATO is satisfied that the application meets all the requirements against the guidelines, the ATO forwards a copy of the application to the appropriate approving authority (which in some instances will be the Department of Health and Ageing). The Department (or NHMRC as delegate) assesses the application and notifies the ATO and applicant of its decision. If the applicant has been successful, the ATO advises that as an Approved Research Institute an application must be made for deductible gift recipients (DGR)/Income Tax Exempt Charity (ITEC) endorsement from the ATO. The DGR status is necessary if donors are to be able to claim tax exemptions for their gifts.
The role of the NHMRC as an approving authority is to consider the area of research proposed by the organisation in terms of its benefit to Australia and also to approve the membership of the organisation's research committee. Under the guidelines, a research committee, "consisting of appropriately qualified persons" is required to ensure "that the research undertaken is scientific in nature and that it is or may prove to be of value to Australia ."
Further information concerning DGR is available on the ATO's website.
Accredited Health and Medical Research Institute
An Accredited Health and Medical Research Institute is an organisation that the NHMRC recognises as contributing to Australian health and medical research through high quality research. The NHMRC seeks to assist in increasing the profile and funding level for health and medical research of such Institutes through an accreditation process.
The NHMRC's Accredited Health and Medical Research Institute Policy March 2004 describes the process for obtaining accredited status. Organisations seeking such status must supply information to the NHMRC demonstrating that it satisfies the policy.
The process involves the organisation writing to the Secretary of the NHMRC Research Committee, requesting accreditation and providing:
• a declaration that the Institute meets one or both of the necessary criteria; and
• a copy of the Institute's most recent Annual Report.
Accreditation is normally granted for a 3-year period.
Independent Accredited Medical Research Institute
An Independent Accredited Medical Research Institute is an organisation that the NHMRC recognises as contributing to Australian health and medical research through high quality research. It is not accountable directly to another institution, but operates as an independent entity, both financially and legally, has an independent Board of Management and employs staff who are accountable to an appropriate Director or Chief Executive Officer.
The NHMRC's Accredited Health and Medical Research Institute Policy March 2004 describes the process for obtaining accredited independent status. Organisations seeking such status must supply information to the NHMRC demonstrating that it satisfies the policy.
The process involves the organisation writing to the Secretary of the NHMRC Research Committee requesting accreditation, providing a declaration that they meet certain criteria, and attaching a copy of the organisation's most recent Annual Report.
Accreditation is normally granted for a 3-year period.
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