Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities
Update: NHMRC Speaking of Science
NHMRC’s Speaking of Science series has kicked off with a back-to-back webinar extravaganza these past few months.
On Tuesday 27 February, we spoke to international ovarian cancer expert, Professor Susan Ramus about the methods, early detection, risk prediction and improving prognosis of ovarian cancer. Professor Ramus also presented the latest findings from her research and shared second-hand experiences of consumer involvement, and the important role consumers have in research. You can watch Professor Ramus’s presentation on NHMRC’s website.
We also had an early celebration for International Women’s Day (IWD) on Thursday 7 March 2024 as Prue Torrance (NHMRC’s General Manager and Inclusion Champion) hosted a live panel discussion with members of our Research Committee. Ms Christine Gunson, Professor Yvette Roe, Dr Yee Lian Chew and Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin spoke on their experiences in the health and medical research sector with an insightful focus on the IWD 2024 theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion.’
Be sure to not miss another Speaking of Science webinar by signing up to our mailing list on NHMRC’s website.
NHMRC Speaking of Science Webinar Series Page
Calling applicants for Ideas Grant 2024
Applications for Ideas Grants 2024 will open on Wednesday 20 March 2024.
Ideas Grants support innovative research projects addressing specific questions.
Key dates:
• Minimum data due by Wednesday 17 April 2024 17:00 AEST
• Applications close by Wednesday 15 May 2024 17:00 AEST
Applicants need to ensure that their Sapphire account is active or register for access to Sapphire well in advance of the minimum data deadline.
Participating institutions which applicants intend to list as part of their application must be indicated in Sapphire.
Contact Research Help Centre for all Sapphire enquiries.
2024 Partnership Projects key application dates
Partnership Projects key application dates:
Partnership Projects 2024 PRC1:
• Minimum data due by Wednesday 20 March 2024 17:00 AEDT
• Applications close on Wednesday 3 April 2024 17:00 AEDT
Partnership Projects 2024 PRC2:
• Applications open on Thursday 21 March 2024
Please direct all enquiries to the NHMRC Research Help Centre via help@nhmrc.gov.au.
NHMRC e-ASIA 2024 Joint Research Program: minimum data
NHMRC is participating in the 2024 e-ASIA Joint Research Program (JRP) 13th Health Research and Food, and Health Research calls.
Minimum data is due by Wednesday 13 March 2024 17:00 AEDT.
Applications must be submitted to the e-ASIA Secretariat by Friday 29 March 2024 and through Sapphire by Wednesday 3 April 2024 17:00 AEDT.
Details on the calls are available on the GrantConnect, NHMRC and e-ASIA websites.
Urgent Reminder – Response required for 2024 Ideas Grants Peer Review invitation
We are asking potential peer reviewers to respond urgently to the invitation to participate in the upcoming NHMRC 2024 Ideas Grants round, scheduled to open on Wednesday 20 March 2024.
A reminder email has been sent to potential reviewers following difficulties with the earlier invitation. The reminder email will allow you to accept or decline the invitation to participate in peer review directly through Sapphire. Please check your inbox to see if you have received a reminder and respond as soon as possible.
We rely on the participation of many peer reviewers to advance research excellence and funding outcomes in the Ideas Grant scheme.
For all Sapphire related enquiries, please contact the Research Help Centre.
NHMRC Impact Case Study on Rotavirus
NHMRC Impact Case Study – Rotavirus: discovery and vaccine
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide. In Australia during the 20th century, it was a major cause of infant death. NHMRC-funded researchers at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and the University of Melbourne discovered rotavirus. Along with NHMRC-funded researchers at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute they made important contributions to the development of vaccines against it, leading to significant decreases in hospitalisation for infant diarrhoea globally.
Read more in our Rotavirus: discovery and vaccine impact case study.
Release of 2024 funding calendar
The NHMRC Grant Program funding calendar has been updated with more scheme dates for 2024, covering both NHMRC schemes (funded through the Medical Research Endowment Account – MREA) and MRFF schemes administered by NHMRC.
Scheme dates are subject to change. For further information please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au or MRFF@health.gov.au.
Medical Research Future Fund – Grant Opportunities Key Dates
The following MRFF grant opportunities have opened for applications:
- 2024 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Round 1 & 2 (GO6825)
- Minimum data due Wednesday 3 July 2024 17:00 AEST (Round 1) and 4 December 2024 17:00 AEDT (Round 2)
- Applications close Wednesday 31 July 2024 17:00 AEST (Round 1) and 5 February 2025 17:00 AEDT (Round 2)
Applications for the following MRFF grant opportunity can now be submitted in Sapphire:
- 2024 Paediatric Brain Cancer Research (GO6780)
- Minimum data due Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 17:00 AEST
- Applications close Wednesday 19 June 2024 at 17:00 AEST
The following MRFF grant opportunity has a minimum data due date approaching:
- 2023 Multidisciplinary Models of Primary Care (Streams 1-3) (GO6508)
- Minimum data due Wednesday 13 March 2024 at 17:00 AEDT
- Applications close Wednesday 10 April 2024 at 17:00 AEST
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.
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.
Upcoming MRFF webinar
The Department of Health and Aged Care is holding a webinar on Thursday 14 March 2024 from 11:00am–12:30pm AEDT. All stakeholders are invited to join the Chief Executive Officer, Health and Medical Research Office (HMRO), and a panel of experts and grant recipients for a practical workshop about using MRFF funding to improve health in rural, regional and remote areas.
The webinar will discuss how health practitioners, researchers and health services can use research to address health needs in rural, regional and remote communities. This includes building research capability and sustainability, mechanisms and strategies for engaging in research and the MRFF support available for this research.
Register for this webinar via HMRO’s website.
Save the date: MRFF Research Administration Officer (RAO) webinar on Wednesday 27 March 2024
The HMRO in the Department of Health and Aged Care invites you to join the next MRFF RAO webinar on Wednesday 27 March 2024 2:00pm AEDT.
MRFF RAO webinars support RAOs and organisations administering or interested in applying for MRFF grants by covering topics and questions important to participants.
HMRO will share details on webinar topics closer to the date and will also publish a recording of the webinar on the MRFF website.