Revised Funding Agreement
Following consultation with NHMRC Administering Institutions and the Australian Government Solicitor, NHMRC has now finalised the NHMRC Funding Agreement. The terms and conditions of the revised Funding Agreement will apply to all new grants. Grants awarded under previous NHMRC Deeds of Agreement will continue to be administered under these Deeds.
The Funding Agreement has been developed to align with Commonwealth Grants Guidelines which provide a policy and reporting framework for agencies subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.
The Funding Agreement articulates NHMRC’s requirements in relation to the management of research funding by Administering Institutions and includes reference to several new documents including the NHMRC policy on actions to be taken in response to research misconduct involving NHMRC funding and the Institutional Annual Compliance Report.
A copy of the Funding Agreement and supporting documentation is available below.
- NHMRC Funding Agreement (PDF, 208KB)
- Example Schedules 2011 (PDF, 164KB)
- Policy on Actions to be Taken in Response to Research Misconduct involving NHMRC Funding (PDF, 43KB)
- Institutional Annual Compliance report (PDF, 152KB)
- Major Changes to the Revised NHMRC Funding Agreement - March 2011 (PDF, 21KB)
- Changes to the NHMRC Funding Agreement - May 2011 (PDF, 50KB)
- Frequently Asked Questions - May 2011 (PDF, 13KB)
Guidance documents for Administering Institutions
The following documents provide guidance to RAOs, Responsible Officers and researchers. All relevant individuals are expected to familiarise themselves with the Funding Agreement’s obligations.
- RAOs Contribution to Administering NHMRC's Funding Agreement (PDF, 12KB)
- Responsible Officers' Responsibilities (PDF, 12KB)
- Researchers' Main Responsibilities (PDF, 12KB)
- Accountability Mechanisms May 2011 (PDF, 17KB)
Direct Research Costs
NHMRC funds for a research activity may only be expended on Direct Research Costs. NHMRC is providing guidance on what constitutes Direct Costs of Research. The table of Direct Research Costs will also be provided to grant recipients with their NHMRC Letter of Offer.
Enquiries
Please direct any enquiries about changes to the Funding Agreement to:
Program Assurance Section
e-mail: pa.info@nhmrc.gov.au
Phone: 1800 223 391
Archived Documents
Deeds of Agreement
In October 2001, the NHMRC incorporated Deeds of Agreement into its research funding administration processes, for funding schemes commencing in 2002. The Deeds are now used for the majority of the NHMRC's funding schemes. Implementing the use of the Deeds has generally proceeded smoothly.
However, some changes to the Deeds are required as a result of the following:
- feedback from the research community following implementation of the Deeds;
- changes in the Commonwealth's legislative and accountability requirements; and
- changes in NHMRC's research funding administration processes.
The NHMRC has amended the Deeds in response to the above factors. These amended Deeds apply to all NHMRC funding commencing 1 January 2007 onwards.
The NHMRC engaged in wide consultation with the research community prior to amending the Deeds. The final versions of the deeds were approved by the Hon. Minister for Health and Ageing.
Research Support and Infrastructure Support Funding Groups
This deed applies for Project Grants, Program Grants, Partnership Grants, Development Grants, Strategic Awards, Transitional Institute Grants, and Transitional Block Grants.
- Deed of Agreement - Research Funding Schemes (PDF, 193KB)
- Deed of Agreement - Research Funding Schemes (RTF, 282KB)
People Support Funding Group
This Deed applies for Australia Fellowships, Research Fellowships, Practitioner Fellowships, Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowships, Industry Research Fellowships, Career Development Awards and Scholarships.
- Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Researcher Support Schemes (PDF, 173KB)
- Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Researcher Support Schemes (RTF, 272KB)
Conditions of Awards
Conditions of Award will continue to apply for continuing Training Fellowships, Postgraduate Scholarships, and Training Scholarships for Indigenous Health Research. However, these Conditions of Award have also been amended:
Training Fellowships
- 2004 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Fellowships (PDF, 100KB)
- 2004 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Fellowships (RTF, 123KB)
Postgraduate Scholarships
- 2004 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Postgraduate Scholarships (PDF, 78KB)
- 2004 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Postgraduate Scholarships (RTF, 90KB)
Indigenous Health Research
- 2004 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Scholarships for Indigenous Health Research (PDF, 74KB)
- 2004 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Scholarships for Indigenous Health Research (RTF, 80KB)
Continuing research grants (grants awarded in previous years) are covered under the appropriate year's Conditions of Award - see links below.
2005 Deeds
- Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Research Funding Schemes (PDF, 209KB)
- Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Research Funding Schemes (RTF, 31KB)
- Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Researcher Support Schemes (PDF, 177KB)
- Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Researcher Support Schemes (RTF, 233KB)
2003 Documents
- 2003 Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Research Funding Schemes (PDF, 284KB)
- 2003 Deed of Agreement - NHMRC Researcher Support Schemes (PDF, 85KB)
- 2003 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Fellowships (PDF, 135KB)
- 2003 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Postgradute Scholarships (PDF, 115KB)
- 2003 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Scholarships for Indigenous Health Research (PDF, 111KB)
2002 Documents
- 2002 NHMRC Deed of Agreement for Research Grants Schemes (PDF, 169KB)
- 2002 NHMRC Deed of Agreement for Researcher Support Scheme (PDF, 161KB)
- 2002 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Fellowships (PDF, 142KB)
- 2002 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Postgraduate Scholarships (PDF, 117KB)
- 2002 NHMRC Conditions of Award for Training Scholarships for Indigenous Health Research (PDF, 112KB)
2001 Documents
- NHMRC Project Grants (PDF, 38KB)
- NHMRC Training Scholarships for Indigenous Health Research (PDF, 32KB)
- NHMRC Program Grants (PDF, 34KB)
- NHMRC Training Fellowships (PDF, 44KB)
- NHMRC Postgraduate Research Scholarships (PDF, 34KB)

