Tracker - 16 January 2023

Latest edition of 10 of the Best out now

From research that is helping children with ADHD and autism to manage sleep, to a project solving life threatening childhood autoimmune diseases through genomics, and another improving lung health of preterm babies, 10 of the Best – Thirteenth Edition highlights completed grants that exemplify the hundreds of successful high-quality projects we fund each year.

Read 10 of the Best – Thirteenth Edition on our website today. 

Key dates for 2023 Investigator Grant applications

The Investigator Grants scheme will open for applications this year on Wednesday 25 January 2023.

• minimum data is due 22 February 2023 17:00 AEDT 
• applications close 22 March 2023 17:00 AEDT.

The Investigator Grants 2023 Guidelines and Peer Review Guidelines will be made available on GrantConnect and the Investigator Grants page when the scheme opens.

Key changes to the 2023 Investigator Grant round will be outlined in section 2.1 of the Grant Guidelines. 

We strongly encourage researchers to start planning their applications early and to update their Sapphire profile. Peer Review Area, Broad Research Area, Keywords and particularly Fields of Research data contained in Sapphire Profiles are essential in matching applications to peer reviewers with the optimal suitability, so it is important that this information is complete and correct.

New users will need to register for a Sapphire account and complete their Sapphire Profile. Information on how to do this is available from the Sapphire landing page or on  NHMRC’s Sapphire website.

Please contact the Research Help Centre for further information or assistance.

New and updated NHMRC-approved third party guidelines

NHMRC has approved the recommendations of three new and three updated guidelines under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

New guidelines

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Appropriate use of Psychotropic Medications in People Living with Dementia and in Residential Aged Care developed by Monash University. Approved on Friday 16 December 2022.

National Guideline for Supporting Autistic Children and Their Families developed by the Autism Cooperative Research Centre. Approved on Tuesday 6 December 2022. 

An Australian Living Guideline for the Management of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis developed by the Australia & New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Network. Contains 3 initial recommendations on the use of biological and targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, methotrexate and glucocorticoid drugs in children and young adults with idiopathic juvenile arthritis. Approved on Tuesday 6 December 2022.

Updated guidelines

Australian Immunisation Handbook developed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Updated herpes zoster and meningococcal disease chapters approved on Tuesday 6 December 2022.

Version 63 of the Australian Guidelines for the Clinical Care of People with COVID-19 developed by the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce. Contains 13 new, 4 updated and 27 reworded recommendations, and 3 recommendations for research use only. Approved on Tuesday 6 December 2022.

Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management developed by the Stroke Foundation. Contains 2 new recommendations on communication partner training for stroke victims with aphasia and 1 updated recommendation on urinary incontinence following stroke. Approved on Tuesday 6 December 2022. 

NHMRC Impact Case Studies

Insulin resistance, insulin action

In 2017–18, almost 1 million Australian adults had type 2 diabetes and in 2018 diabetes contributed to 11% of Australian deaths. NHMRC-funded researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research discovered key mechanisms in the causation of type 2 diabetes and its links with obesity and cardiovascular disease. They found that prevention primarily takes place through a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Breathing easier during sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic respiratory disorder that leads to disturbed sleep and causes sickness in at least 200 million people globally. NHMRC-funded researchers at The University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital developed what is now the standard treatment for this disorder. 

Find out more about the work of both of these research teams on the NHMRC Impact Case Studies homepage.

If you would like to discuss partnering with NHMRC to document your organisation’s work with an NHMRC case study, please contact the Impact Case Studies team.

Medical Research Future Fund - Grant Opportunities Key Dates 

The following MRFF Grant Opportunities have opened for applications:   

2022 Clinical Trials Activity (GO5887) 

• Applications opened 14 December 2022 
• Minimum data is due 3 May 2023 at 17:00 AEST 
• Applications close 28 June 2023 at 17:00 AEST 

 
Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission - 2022 Mental Health Research (GO5915) 

• Applications opened 8 December 2022  
• Minimum data is due 1 March 2023 at 17:00 AEDT  
• Applications close 29 March 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 

The following opportunities have upcoming minimum data deadlines: 

2022 Multiple Sclerosis Research - Streams 1 and 2 (GO5569) 

• Minimum data is due 25 January 2023 at 17:00 AEDT  
• Applications close 1 February 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 

 
2022 Assessment of High-Cost Gene Treatments and Digital Health Interventions (GO5815) 

• Minimum data is due 31 January 2023 at 17:00 AEDT  
• Applications close 1 March 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 

 
2022 Genomics Health Future Mission (GO5822) 

• Minimum data is due 1 February 2023 at 17:00 AEDT  
• Applications close 22 February 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 

 
2022 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Round 2 (GO5512) 

• Minimum Data is due 8 February 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 
• Applications close 22 February 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 

 
Indigenous Health Research Fund - 2022 Indigenous Health Research (GO5832) 

• Minimum data is due 8 February 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 
• Applications close 1 March 2023 at 17:00 AEDT 

 
Details on how to apply for MRFF grant opportunities and MRFF close dates are available on GrantConnect. Applicants are reminded that only applicants who completed minimum data can submit an application. 

Applicants should ensure: 

• their Sapphire account is active or request access to Sapphire as soon as possible 
• their organisation is an approved MRFF Eligible Organisation before the close date  
• participating institutions are available in Sapphire or request it be added to the system via email to Research Help Centre, including the institution URL.  

MRFF Application Eligibility Criteria and Compliance Checking 

Applicants must review and address all eligibility and assessment criteria set out in the guidelines, including limits on the number of times a person can be named as a CI on applications. 
 
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 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 via NHMRC’s online portal. 

Key application dates

Please see the Funding schemes and calendar page.

Tracker

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