New checklist items in Guide to Applicants
NHMRC has added two new items to the checklist for applicants in MREA Grant Opportunity Guidelines released since July 2025.
- Ensure your Administering Institution has agreement between all institutions, including international institutions, associated with the application about the management of the grant and involvement of nominated researchers.
- Ensure researchers who intend to be involved in the research have agreement from their organisation to be involved in the research activity as outlined/included in the application.
These items intend to reinforce the importance to individuals named on the grant application of confirming that their employing Institution, if relevant, is aware and approves of their involvement in a grant application.
In cases where the application is successful, this would support Administering Institutions formalising agreements with Participating Institutions as they should already be aware that their staff will be involved in the research activity.
NHMRC has received enquiries about the implementation of these new checklist items and apologises for any confusion caused. The intention was not to require a written agreement or contract to be exchanged at the application stage. The wording of these items will be updated to ensure further clarity.
Agreements between Administering and Participating Institutions required under the Funding Agreement do not need to be formalised until grants are awarded. The new guidance is intended to support Administering Institutions by ensuring expectations are clear at the application stage. NHMRC asks RAOs to alert researchers to this change.