The Project Grants scheme is the NHMRC’s main avenue of support for individuals and small teams of researchers undertaking clinical, biomedical, public health and health services research in Australian universities, medical schools, hospitals and other research institutions.
Applicant Response (rebuttal)
Apply for Funding
The NHMRC’s Research Grants Management System (RGMS) must be used to access / enter your CV and profile, or submit a Project Grant application.
Applicants who are not yet registered on RGMS, should contact the Research Help Centre on help@nhmrc.gov.au for more information.
A complete Project Grant application must consist of the following.
- Completion of Parts A and B of the application form
- The relevant information in your RGMS profile and CV*
- The uploaded PDF document containing your detailed Background and Research Plan, including Track Records for each Chief Investigator, and if relevant, Career Disruption details
Prior to submission of an application for project funding, applicants are to ensure they:
- read all relevant reference material; and
- liaise with their Administering Institution to identify any specific requirements that the Institution may have.
* From 1 December 2012, completion of the following CV & Profile information will be mandatory for all Chief Investigators (CIs) as part of the application process. CIs will be presented with a checklist following login and required to enter missing data before creating or being included on applications.
- Title
- Preferred Phone No
- Primary Institution
- Broad Research Area
- Research Keywords 1 to 5
Key dates
The key dates for the Project Grants 2013 funding round are as follows:
- 5 December 2012 – Applications Open
- 19 March 2013 at 17:00 hours AEDT – Applications Close
Documentation to apply for a Project Grant
-
NHMRC Funding Rules incorporating the Project Grants scheme for funding commencing in 2014
(Scheme specific changes can be found on page 21 of this document) - Advice and Instructions to applicants for funding commencing in 2014
- NHMRC Project Grants Peer Review Guidelines for funding commencing in 2014
- 'Guide to Peer Review Areas' and 'Fields of Research (FoR) and Broad Research Area (BRA)' documents:
-
Criteria for Health and Medical Research of Indigenous Australians
Applicants for NHMRC Project Grants in the area of Indigenous Health research are required to address the Criteria for Health and Medical Research of Indigenous Australians - Australian Standard Research Classifications & NHMRC Keyword ⁄ Phrases
- Budget mechanism for Project Grants funding commencing in 2014
Special Initiatives for 2013
Special Initiatives are those health areas in which NHMRC has received additional research funding from other parties, for their fields of research.
Applications seeking funding under the Special Initiative of Electromagnetic Fields and Hearing Loss Prevention should refer to the websites below.
- Electromagnetic Fields should refer to http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/eme/fact2.pdf
- Hearing Loss Prevention should also refer to the website http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/hearingprogram-1-7
Funding by Other Organisations
External Funding Schemes
In 2013, organisations offering funding through the NHMRC Project Grants funding scheme include:
Although the research funding scheme is managed by the funding agency NHMRC conducts the peer review process. Applicants may select one or more funding agency/ies on their application form to indicate that the application/s are to be forwarded to the agency for funding. NHMRC is unable to forward the application to an external funding agency without the applicant’s permission. Following the peer review of applications NHMRC provides the nominated agencies with the outcomes of the assessment process for applications that are fundable, but not funded by NHMRC. Any additional/supplementary questions required by the agency are to be submitted directly to that funding agency.
For more information on how to apply for funding from these external funding parties, applicants should refer to NHMRC Funding Rules incorporating the Project Grants scheme for funding commencing in 2014 (PDF, 356KB).
Gap Funding
Organisations (often non-government) may have funding available to support research in specific areas and use the NHMRC Project Grants scheme to identify such projects. Organisations that have expressed an interest in providing funding for suitable Project Grant applications are:
- Cystic Fibrosis Australia (PDF, 42KB)
- Duchenne Foundation (PDF, 18KB)
- HeartKids Australia Inc (PDF, 42KB)
Gap funding is aimed at supporting fundable research proposals that are unsuccessful through the NHMRC Project Grants scheme. Applications that address specific research areas identified by the funding organisation may be funded through this mechanism. The decision to ‘gap-fund’ a fundable Project Grant application that is not funded by NHMRC is made by the partner organisation which may request additional information from potentially suitable applicants. The duration, budget and award requirements for gap funding will vary according to the organisation.
Additional Assistance for Reviewers
To assist you in your role we provide the following information in support of peer review for 2013 Project Grant applications:
- External Assessors Briefing Pack (PDF, 575KB)
- How to – Complete an External Assessment in RGMS (PDF, 508KB)
Further Information
If you require more information, direct your inquiry to your Research Administration Office in the first instance.
If you require assistance and are unable to satisfy your concern by seeking assistance through your administering institution:
Contact the Research Help Centre on 1800 500 983, or email help@nhmrc.gov.au.