Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Speaking of Science - From bench to birth: Building a test and treat program to prevent early preterm birth
Preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks) is the single largest global cause of death and in Australia, around 8% of babies (almost 26,000 in 2019) are born prematurely annually.
NHMRC’s health advice on diet in pregnancy, lactation and early infant feeding dates back to 1981, where early recommendations were made to those providing direct care to pregnant and lactating women to meet the associated nutrient requirements to optimise the health of both the mother and their baby. What followed was decades of high-quality research led out of Adelaide that would later underpin national health advice, programs and policies.
Pioneering researcher, Professor Maria Makrides of SAHMRI, will join us for Speaking of Science to recount how a serendipitous finding started a 15-year journey to build the evidence base linking omega-3 fatty acid status with risk of preterm birth. She will also discuss how the risk of early birth varies with omega-3 status, the interventions needed to optimise term birth and how this can be translated into policy and practice.
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 Thursday 20 August, 10:00AM–11:00AM AEST.
Future of peer review: Sustaining quality, fairness and trust in application assessment
Join NHMRC for a national discussion exploring the future of peer review and its role in sustaining quality, fairness and trust in health and medical research funding. This webinar will bring together leaders from across the research sector to examine the challenges and opportunities facing research assessment, discuss emerging reform directions, and consider what should be preserved, improved or redesigned to maintain confidence in peer review.
The session will also provide insight into NHMRC's current peer review processes and ongoing work to strengthen quality, transparency and accountability across its funding schemes.
Facilitated by CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh, the webinar features a distinguished panel bringing together perspectives from health and medical research, consumer and community involvement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and research leadership.
Meet the panel:
- Dr Doug Hilton AO (CEO, CSIRO)
- Professor Ginny Barbour (Editor-In-Chief, Medical Journal of Australia)
- Ms Debra Langridge (Consumer and Community Involvement Program Lead, Western Australian Health Translation Network)
- Associate Professor Nadeem Kaakoush (Scientia Associate Professor, UNSW)
- Professor Michelle Kennedy (Professor, University of Newcastle and Strategic Research Advisor, The Lowitja Institute.
The webinar will be held on Thursday 20 August, 1:00PM–2:30PM AEST.
Registrations are now open. Secure your place by completing the online registration form. A replay will be available, but by joining us live you will have the opportunity to ask questions of panel members and engage with other attendees.
Please share with your networks!
Horizon Europe roadshow
Following the successful conclusion of treaty negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe, EURAXESS Australia and New Zealand and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources are bringing the Horizon Europe Roadshow Australia 2026 to Australia’s state and territory capitals.
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation program, and Australia’s Association provides an opportunity broader than health and medical research. Australian researchers, industry and business can partner with leading researchers across Europe and beyond, helping Australian organisations plug into global supply chains and bring ideas to market faster.
The roadshow will support Australian entities to participate from day one (1 January 2027) by helping the Australian research and innovation community understand the opportunities available and prepare for effective engagement in Horizon Europe.
For more information, see the Horizon Europe Roadshow Australia 2026 | EURAXESS website.
NHMRC approved third party guidelines
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia released the 2026 Guidelines for the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer in Australia on 6 August 2026.
On 18 May 2026, the CEO of NHMRC, Professor Steve Wesselingh, approved the recommendations upon the advice received from NHMRC Council, and under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.
The guidelines replace the 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing and Management of Test-Detected Prostate Cancer.
The recommendations are intended to support clinicians in the early detection and management of prostate cancer and provide advice on strategies to maximise the benefits and minimise the harms associated with PSA testing.
New NHMRC Regulations
The National Health and Medical Research Council Regulations 2026 (the new Regulations) commenced on Tuesday 11 August 2026. The new Regulations repeal and replace the 2016 Regulations, which were due to sunset on 1 October 2026, in substantially the same form.
Further information about the Regulations can be found in the Explanatory Statement.
Forecast Opportunity: Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI) Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Liver Cancer Prevention 2026
Cancer Australia and NHMRC are considering opening a CARI TCR grant opportunity in the second half of 2026 to support research that improves early identification of people at increased risk of liver cancer and effectively translates that risk identification into timely, equitable and evidence-based care pathways, to reduce the incidence and impact of liver cancer in Australia
Full details of this opportunity are available on GrantConnect. Interested parties can ‘watch’ it (by clicking the star icon) to be alerted via email of updates to the notice.
Please contact help@nmrc.gov.au for further information.
Forecast Opportunity: Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Pipeline 2026
NHMRC are considering opening a TCR grant opportunity in September 2026 to support research and evaluation to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce pipeline, including attraction and entry into the pipeline, education about workforce pathways, and continuing through to retention, career progression and leadership. The research will generate evidence to support effective workforce planning, development and health equity outcomes.
Full details of this opportunity are available on GrantConnect. Interested parties can ‘watch’ it (by clicking the star icon) to be alerted via email of any updates to the notice.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates
The following MRFF grant opportunities have minimum data due soon:
2026 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity (GO8232)
- Minimum data due Wednesday 19 August 2026, 5:00PM (AEST)
- Applications close Wednesday 16 September 2026, 5:00PM (AEST).
2026 Mental Health Research Grant Opportunity (GO8415)
- Minimum data due Wednesday 19 August 2026, 5:00PM (AEST)
- Applications close Wednesday 16 September 2026, 5:00PM (AEST).
The following MRFF grant opportunities have a close date approaching:
2026 Genomics Health Futures Grant Opportunity (GO8294)
- Applications close Wednesday 19 August 2026, 5:00PM (AEST).
2026 Early to Mid-Career Researchers Grant Opportunity (GO8417)
- Applications close Wednesday 19 August 2026, 5:00PM (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, 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 minimum data due date
- 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 NHMRC grant program dates
NHMRC grant opportunities are funded through the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).
The following grant opportunity has minimum data due soon:
Regional, Rural and Remote Capacity Building 2026 Grant Opportunity
- Minimum data due Wednesday 19 August 2026, 5:00PM (AEST
- Applications close Wednesday 16 September 2026, 5:00PM (AEST).
Applicants must complete the required fields with the correct information. Applications containing placeholder text may be ineligible. For more information on minimum data requirements, refer to Section 7.3.1 and Appendix C in the Regional, Rural and Remote Capacity Building 2026 Grant Opportunity Guidelines available on GrantConnect.
Failure to meet the minimum data requirements by the deadline will result in the application not proceeding. New applications cannot be started after the minimum data deadline.
For further information, please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.