Cover of Statement on Sex, Gender, Variations in Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in Health and Medical Research

Sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation: Requirement in NHMRC and MRFF grant opportunities from 2026

NHMRC and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (responsible for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)) have launched a new requirement for applicants for funding from their grant programs.

Applicants must consider sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation (the Variables) at all stages of their research project and integrate the relevant Variables in the research, where appropriate.

The requirement will ensure that the principles in the joint Statement on Sex, Gender, Variations in Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in Health and Medical Research are embedded in NHMRC and MRFF funded research.

Read more about the new requirement

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