Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Communities driving health care research
Dr Veronica Matthews and the team at STRengthening systems for InDigenous healthcare Equity (STRIDE) are driving change to position Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the core of health care research.
From the Quandamooka community, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), Dr Matthews has strong established networks and relationships in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care sector and experience with facilitating grassroots community-based participatory research.
Dr Matthews’ research plays a crucial role in closing the gap, a national focus this week ahead of National Close the Gap Day on Thursday. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap is underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved.
Find out more about STRIDE, a national Indigenous-led network of researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and communities working together to strengthen primary health care systems.
Photo supplied by Dr Veronica Matthews: CRE-STRIDE gathering on Coodjingburra Country, July 2022
We’re hiring! Multiple roles available in health advice and guidelines
Are you interested in working on health guidelines and advice of national importance?
We are seeking to fill a number of ongoing and non-ongoing roles in our Clinical Practice, Public Health and Environmental Health teams. The positions would suit motivated individuals who would like to help us deliver advice and guidelines that aim to protect individuals and public health.
Positions are available at the Assistant Director (EL1) and Senior Project Officer (APS6) level. Applications close on Sunday 19 March 2023 23:30 AEDT.
For more information, position descriptions and contact details, please visit NHMRC Careers.
Ideas Grants 2023 – applications now open!
Ideas Grants support innovative research projects addressing a specific question(s).
Key dates:
- Minimum data due Wednesday 5 April 2023 17:00 AEST
- Applications close Wednesday 3 May 2023 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
- 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 and ABN (if applicable).
Contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for Sapphire enquiries.
Visit Ideas Grants and GrantConnect for more information.
Investigator Grants 2023 - closing next week!
- Applications close on Wednesday 22 March 2023 17:00 AEDT.
Thank you to the 1657 applicants who met the minimum data requirements for applications to Investigator Grants 2023. NHMRC has notified 84 potential applicants who did not meet minimum data requirements that their applications (including test applications or incomplete minimum data applications) will not progress further.
Peer review requirements depend on the number and distribution of research areas of applications received. Information collected at the minimum data stage allows us to identify which peer reviewers will be asked to complete conflict of interest and suitability declarations in early April. Prospective peer reviewers will be contacted in late April ahead of the peer review assessment process taking place from mid-May to mid-June.
Visit Investigator Grants and GrantConnect for more information, including to access the 2023 Peer Review Guidelines.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for assistance.
Synergy Grants 2023 – final deadlines approaching
- Applications close on Wednesday 5 April 2023 17:00 AEST.
Thank you to the 71 applicants who met the minimum data requirements for applications to the Synergy Grants 2023. NHMRC has notified 28 potential applicants who did not meet minimum data requirements that their applications (including test applications or incomplete minimum data applications) will not progress further.
Researchers who intend to participate in peer review must ensure their Sapphire Profile is complete and up to date, particularly their Fields of Research, Broad Research Area, Keywords and Peer Review Areas. This will help us to allocate applications in line with peer reviewers’ areas of expertise where possible, and balance workloads across reviewers.
For further information, visit Synergy Grants and GrantConnect.
For assistance, contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.
Have your say on Australia’s science and research priorities
The Australian Government has launched a national conversation to revitalise Australia’s vision for science and research.
More information can be found through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
This public consultation is seeking views on refreshing Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities.
This first phase of the conversation will focus on national challenges and associated opportunities. Your feedback will help shape Australia’s new priorities and statement.
Consultations close Friday 31 March 2023. To have your say visit Australia’s science and research priorities conversation starter.
NHMRC-Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) 2023 funding call - minimum data due tomorrow
Australian-based researchers applying for 2023 NHMRC-GACD: Non-communicable disease prevention in cities funding are reminded:
- the Letter of Intent and minimum data are due Wednesday 15 March 2023 17:00 AEDT.
The objective of the NHMRC-GACD 2023 scheme is to fund implementation research focused on addressing non-communicable disease risk factors associated with city environments and related health inequities.
For further details, refer to the Grant Opportunity on GrantConnect. Minimum data must be entered into Sapphire.
NHMRC e-ASIA 2023 Joint Research Program (JRP) on Climate Change and Health – minimum data due tomorrow
Australian-based researchers applying for the NHMRC e-ASIA 2023 JRP on Climate Change and Health are reminded:
- minimum data is due Wednesday 15 March 2023 17:00 AEDT.
NHMRC is supporting researchers in Australia who are addressing the research topic of Climate Change and Health as identified in the e-ASIA JRP Health Research call for funding.
For further details, refer to the grant opportunity on GrantConnect. Minimum data must be entered into Sapphire.
Consultation now open on pharmacological management of inflammatory arthritis draft guideline
The Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Network, the Australian Rheumatology Association and Cochrane Musculoskeletal have released new living guideline recommendations for public consultation.
The consultation is open from Tuesday 14 March 2023 to Sunday 30 April 2023. The developers will be seeking NHMRC approval of the guideline under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.
For more information and to access the draft guideline and associated material please visit An Australian Living Guideline for the Pharmacological Management of Inflammatory Arthritis.
To make a submission please visit the feedback survey.
Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities and webinars – key dates
The following Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities are now open for applications:
2023 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Round 1 & 2 (GO6114)
Round 1
- Minimum data due 28 June 2023 17:00 AEST
- Applications close 26 July 2023 17:00 AEST
Round 2
- Minimum data due 6 December 2023 17:00 AEDT
- Applications close 7 February 2024 17:00 AEDT
- Minimum Data due 26 July 2023 17:00 AEST
- Applications close 23 August 2023 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 minimum data must be completed before the due date to be able to submit an application.
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).
Upcoming Webinars
The Department of Health and Aged Care’s Health and Medical Research Office is hosting two MRFF webinars and Q&A sessions in March 2023.
The MRFF Webinar
- Wednesday 15 March 2023 14:00 – 15:00 AEDT
Topics: How applications to MRFF grant opportunities are assessed, the recently refreshed assessment criteria and the other key elements in MRFF grant applications. Hosted by Dr Masha Somi, CEO of the Health and Medical Research Office.
Register for the webinar. Watch previous MRFF webinars and videos.
MRFF Research Administration Officers (RAO) Webinar
- Thursday 30 March 2023 14:00 – 15:00 AEDT
Topics: consumer involvement and the MRFF; recent changes to the MRFF assessment criteria; the MRFF monitoring, learning and evaluation strategy; and assessment of MRFF impact. Hosted by staff from the Health and Medical Research Office.
Register for the RAO webinar. Watch the previous RAO webinar.
MRFF application eligibility criteria and compliance checking
Applicants must review and address all eligibility and assessment criteria set out in the opportunity’s guidelines, including limits on the number of times a person can be named as a CI on applications submitted for a grant opportunity.
For applications submitted to the 2022 Indigenous Health Research grant opportunity, eligibility may relate to whether Chief Investigators are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (refer to section 3.1 of the grant guidelines). All MRFF applicants are advised to ensure the relevant information is completed in their Sapphire Profile prior to submission.
MRFF Grant Assessment Committee self-nomination
Researchers, consumers, clinicians and health practitioners, as well as those in industry, policy or who manage health services are invited to express their interest in assisting with the assessment of MRFF applications as a member of a grant assessment committee. Register your interest through the online portal.
Key NHMRC grant program dates
Please see Funding schemes and calendar.
Tracker
See previous editions of Tracker.
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If you have any questions about the newsletter, email communications@nhmrc.gov.au.