Tracker - 10 November 2025

NHMRC statement on global health research and international collaboration

NHMRC is proudly the largest funder of global health research in Australia, investing $6.1 billion towards health and medical research between 2017 and 2023. Of this, approximately $1.2 billion has supported global health research.

We remain committed to supporting global health research and international collaborations, to advance our mission to build a healthy Australia and contribute to a healthier world.

Tackling global challenges like pandemics, superbugs, and climate related threats takes teamwork and through international research and collaboration, we can build a healthier future for everyone.

Read NHMRC’s statement on global health research and international collaboration on our website.
 

Partnership Projects 2025 - funding announced

On 29 October 2025, the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, announced the funding outcomes for 2025 Partnership Project PRC 1 grants totalling $4 million.

These grants support researchers to partner with policymakers and health service providers to design and deliver research that addresses health needs in our community. Researchers work with partners to define research questions and undertake research that the partners then translate into improved health services for end users.

Projects funded will be supported by 21 funding partners, which together are contributing a further $5 million, bringing the total investment in the collaborative research to over $9 million. 

Find out more about the projects funded on NHMRC's website.
 

Self nominate to participate in NHMRC peer review for 2026 

Researchers are invited to nominate themselves for peer review in 2026. Instructions on how to self nominate have been sent to your Research Administration Officers and the self nomination form will be available in Sapphire between 10 November – 8 December 2025.

Researchers require an active Sapphire account to submit their self nomination. 

To register for an account, visit the Sapphire website. NHMRC recommends completing your registration in advance to guarantee account activation before the self nomination deadline. 

Guidance and further information is available on NHMRC’s website.
 

National Research Infrastructure (NRI) Roadmap issues paper and survey

To support the development of the 2026 NRI Roadmap, an Issues Paper has now been released. The Issues Paper seeks input from Australia’s NRI stakeholders on a range of topics including:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
• the humanities
• the research infrastructure workforce
• translation and industry
• new research infrastructure. 

Stakeholders are invited to provide their views to these questions via the 2026 NRI Roadmap Issues Paper consultation survey, available on the Department of Education website.

This survey will close on Monday 1 December 2025 at 12:00PM (AEDT).
 

Persistent identifiers at NHMRC

NHMRC is engaged with the Australian National Persistent Identifier (PID) Strategy and Roadmap and is a member of the Australian ORCID consortium. ORCID is a globally recognised PID that enhances the discoverability, attribution, and verification of research outputs and collaborations.

As part of our commitment to strengthening the PID system - NHMRC will be implementing several activities such as:

• including ORCID iDs for all Chief Investigators in the MREA grant outcomes dataset which NHMRC publishes online
• requiring CIAs to have an ORCID to hold NHMRC grants
• examining the potential to write NHMRC peer review participation information to ORCID records
• requiring that Administering Institutions provide a Research Organisation Registry (ROR) identifier
• including RORs in the MREA grant outcomes dataset which NHMRC publishes online
• requiring that the NHMRC ROR be used in the acknowledgment of NHMRC funding in publications and other documentation
• investigating assigning Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to NHMRC publications or reports
• publishing DOIs provided in MREA grant final reports on NHMRC’s website.

As part of this, NHMRC is introducing a requirement for all CIAs who have been offered an MREA grant to have an ORCID. 

For all newly awarded NHMRC grants moving forward, CIAs must have a valid ORCID recorded in their Sapphire profile to be eligible to hold NHMRC funded grants. 

For any queries about the implementation of these activities please contact research.policy@nhmrc.gov.au.
 

Speaking of Science – Acting now against antimicrobial resistance

While antimicrobial medicines remain as the cornerstone of modern medicine, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has described antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the largest global health threats facing our generation.

As a result of AMR, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. So how do we act now to protect our present and secure our future?

This World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, join us for a panel discussion on Thursday 20 November 2025 at 11:00AM–12:00PM (AEDT) as part of our Speaking of Science webinar series. Hosted by NHMRC’s CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh, you will hear from:

• Professor Kirsty Buising (Royal Melbourne Hospital)
• Professor Allen Cheng (Monash University)
• Professor Branwen Morgan (CSIRO)
• Professor Mark Blaskovich (The University of Queensland).

There will also be an opportunity to engage with and ask questions of our guest speakers through a thought-provoking Q&A session. You won’t want to miss this event! 

Register for this webinar on Eventbrite.

If you have any questions for the event organisers, you can reach us at media@nhmrc.gov.au.  
 

Forecast opportunities

NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program 
NHMRC is considering participating in the 2026 e-ASIA Joint Research Program (JRP) 15th call for proposals in the health research stream, on the topics of:

• Infectious diseases and immunology
• Advanced medical research and enabling technologies.

For details, refer to GrantConnect and the e-ASIA website.

NHMRC-European Partnership for Brain Health grant opportunity
NHMRC is considering participating in the 2026 NHMRC-European Partnership for Brain Health (EP BrainHealth) grant opportunity supporting 2 calls:

• Call 1 - Neurological, mental disorders and sensory disorders
• Call 2 - Neurodegenerative disorders.

For details, refer to GrantConnect and the EP BrainHealth website.
 

Key NHMRC grant program dates

NHMRC grant opportunities are funded through the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).

The following opportunities have minimum data due soon:

Partnership Projects 2025 PRC3

• Minimum data due on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT)
• Applications close on Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT).

Only applicants that complete minimum data by the due date can submit a full application to 2025 PRC3.

Email help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
 

The following opportunities are closing soon:

Centres of Research Excellence 2026

• Applications close on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT).

We encourage applicants to work closely with their RAOs well in advance of the due date to ensure they can submit applications on time.

Applicants are reminded that:

• Researchers listed on applications must have a Sapphire account. New account registrations must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to application close. The Research Help Centre will continue to respond to Sapphire related enquiries until Wednesday 19 November 2025 13:00 (AEDT).
• Only applicants who completed minimum data requirements by the deadline can submit a full application.
• Applications submitted after close of round will not be accepted.

Further information can be found on GrantConnect.

Please email help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
 

Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates

The following MRFF grant opportunity has opened for applications:

• 2025 Childhood Mental Health Research grant opportunity (GO7968)
• Minimum data due on Wednesday 25 February 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT)
• Applications close on Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT).

The following MRFF grant opportunity has a minimum data due date approaching:

• 2025 Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles grant opportunity (GO7816)
• Minimum data due on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT)
• Applications close on Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT).

Details on how to apply for MRFF grant opportunities and all MRFF close dates are available on GrantConnect. Applicants are reminded that only applicants who completed minimum data by the due date can submit an application. It is also the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements, including limits on the number of times a person can be named as a Chief Investigator on applications submitted to a grant opportunity.

Applicants should ensure:

• their Sapphire account is active or access to Sapphire has been requested,
• their organisation is an approved MRFF Eligible Organisation before the close date, and
• any intended participating institutions are listed in Sapphire or request that a new participating institution be added by emailing help@nhmrc.gov.au, including the institution's website address (URL) and ABN (if applicable).

MRFF grant assessment committee self nomination
Register your interest to become a member of a MRFF grant assessment committee.

Key dates

Refer to Funding schemes and calendar.

Tracker

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