16 March 2026

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

Have you registered for our next Speaking of Science on oral health in the land of milk and honey? 

Oral diseases such as tooth decay and erosion are a major public health concern, affecting individuals, health systems and economies worldwide.

As a nod to World Oral Health Day (20 March), Speaking of Science is celebrating the impact of NHMRC funded research that led to new technologies that have significantly improved dental health.

We will be joined by leading dental health researcher, Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO, to discuss the innovative NHMRC funded research that led to the development of a dairy based saliva biomimetic to help reduce oral disease.

There will be a Q&A session at the end, so we encourage you to attend and ask questions!

This webinar will take place on Monday 23 March 2026 from 11:00AM – 12:00PM AEDT.

Register to attend this Microsoft Teams webinar here.
 

When was the last time you updated your Sapphire Profile?

Get ready to apply for funding in 2026 by checking that your Sapphire profile is up to date and aligns with the latest NHMRC and MRFF guidance. This is important as relevant information is drawn directly from your profile into your grant applications.  

We encourage you to review all details in your profile, particularly:

  • Personal information including current email is correct, so you do not miss out on grant outcomes and communications.
  • Academic information ensuring your primary institution details are correct.
  • Peer review information – making sure your selected fields of research and areas of expertise accurately reflect your current expertise.
  • Career disruptions and relative to opportunity using high level descriptors explaining how the disruption impacted your research productivity and career trajectory.
  • Add your ORCiD (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) and authorise your profile with ORCiD.

For guidance on how to update your Sapphire Profile, view the tutorial, or contact the Research Help Centre at help@nhmrc.gov.au.
 

Participant Information and Consent Form for human research in Australia

A new national Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF) template is now available on NHMRC’s Ethical issues and resources webpage.

PICF templates are designed as tools to assist researchers in developing PICFs by suggesting standard structure and wording suitable to a wide range of projects and to conform to some jurisdictional requirements.
The new InFORMed PICF template, developed by CT:IQ, supports clearer, more accessible and participant-focused consent in health and medical research. 

NHMRC has endorsed the InFORMED PICF template as an appropriate tool for research involving human participants. 

Note: NHMRC does not require the use of any specific template or tool.
 

Institutional Annual Compliance Report survey – reminder 

The 2025 Institutional Annual Compliance Report survey will close on Friday 20 March 2026 at 17:00 AEDT.

Information about the survey is available on the IACR reporting section of NHMRC's website. 

If you have any questions about the survey, please email administering.institutions@nhmrc.gov.au.
 

2025 NHMRC-Horizon Europe single stage applications 

The European Commission (EC) has notified the leads of collaborative applications submitted through the single stage deadline model that have been favourably evaluated for funding through the Horizon Europe EC peer review process. Favourably evaluated projects involving researchers based in Australia may be eligible for NHMRC support. 

To apply for NHMRC funding, CIAs are required to submit an application in Sapphire by 17:00 AEDT on Wednesday 29 April 2026. 

Applications submitted through the 2 stage deadline model are not required to submit applications through Sapphire at this time.

For access to the Sapphire application form, RAOs must contact international@nhmrc.gov.au with the name and email address of the eligible CIA.
 

Key NHMRC grant program dates

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

Ideas Grants 2026 

Applications for Ideas Grants 2026 are now open. The objective of the Ideas Grant scheme is to support innovative research projects addressing a specific question(s). Please note that the Ideas Grant scheme is not intended to support research where a clinical trial or cohort study is the primary objective.  

  • Minimum data due on Wednesday 8 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEST)
  • Applications will close on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at 17:00 (AEST).

Applicants need to ensure that their Sapphire account is active or register for access well in advance of the minimum data deadline.

Further information can be found on GrantConnect and for any other questions, contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.
 

Partnership Projects 2026 

  • Partnership Projects 2026 PRC1
    • Minimum data due on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT). Only applicants that completed minimum data by this deadline can submit a full application in PRC1.
    • Applications will close on Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT).
  • Partnership Projects 2026 PRC2
    • Applications will open on Thursday 19 March 2026.

For any enquiries, contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.


2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program

  • Minimum data due on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT)
  • Applications will close on Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT). 

Applicants must complete the required fields with correct information. Use of placeholder text will not be accepted. For more information on minimum data requirements refer to Appendix D of the 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program Guidelines. 

Applicants should note that there has been an update to the e-ASIA common application form. All applications must use the correct form (revised on 29 January), which can be downloaded from e-ASIA’s website. 

Applicants are also reminded of the following: 

  • All mandatory profile fields must be completed by all Chief Investigators (CIs), including any international CIs named on the application. CIAs will need to verify that each of the CIs has completed and updated their profile before an application is certified.
  • Overseas institutions that will be involved in the planned research activity must be listed in the Participating Institutions section of the NHMRC application.
     

Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates

The following MRFF grant opportunity has opened for applications: 

The following MRFF grant opportunity has a close date approaching:

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:

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

Key dates

Please see the funding schemes and calendar page.

Tracker

See previous editions of Tracker.

Do you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter? They can visit the Newsletter sign up page.

If you have any questions about the newsletter, email communications@nhmrc.gov.au. 

Share