Tracker - 18 August 2025

Good Institutional Practice Guide

NHMRC has released the Good Institutional Practice Guide, bringing together information on values, concepts and ideas that support a high quality research culture.

Developed to support institutional leaders as they implement positive change, the guide can be used by anyone involved with the conduct, administration and oversight of research. It has been designed to allow flexible implementation, and leaders can choose to progressively implement only those activities that suit the institution’s circumstances. Please see the Good Institutional Practice Guide on NHMRC’s website.
 

NHMRC Corporate Plan 2025–26

NHMRC has released its Corporate Plan for 2025–26. The plan presents our strategy for building a healthy Australia, across the strategic themes (purposes) of investment, translation and integrity of health and medical research. It covers the period 2025–26 to 2028–29 and includes the strategic and health priorities identified for the current triennium. Please see the Corporate Plan on NHMRC’s website.
 

Invitation for public submissions: Guideline for use of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted Psychotherapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Monash University's Centre for Medicine Use and Safety and Neuromedicines Discovery Centre are seeking NHMRC approval under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 for their draft Clinical Practice Guideline for the Appropriate Use of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted Psychotherapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The guideline has been developed to support evidence based use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for people living with diagnosed PTSD. It relates to the medical use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as prescribed by authorised psychiatrists. 

Consultation on draft recommendations is open until Friday 5 September 2025.

Find more information on the recommendations and how to make a submission on the Monash University website.
 

NHMRC Action Plan for Responsible Research Assessment

As a member of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) NHMRC has released the NHMRC Action Plan for Responsible Research Assessment. The action plan is a formal commitment to continuing to improve responsible research assessment. It sets out actions to advance and promote responsible research assessment practices in Australia and to share insights with CoARA. Read the full NHMRC Action Plan for Responsible Research Assessment on our website.
 

Forecast opportunity - Centres of Research Excellence 2026

The Centres of Research Excellence 2026 grant opportunity is anticipated to open for applications on Wednesday 1 October 2025. Potential applicants are advised to review the forecast opportunity published on GrantConnect. 

The following key changes are anticipated for the CRE 2026 grant opportunity guidelines:

• The grant opportunity is scheduled to open for applications on 1 October 2025, earlier than recent years.
• Funding is available, from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, for one CRE for Infection Prevention and Control Research in Aged Care through the Health Services Research application stream.
• Applicants will be required to describe in their grant proposal the proposed distribution and governance arrangements for the requested CRE funding, and how the CRE funding will complement already secured funding, data and resources. The response will be considered in the assessment of the application.
• CRE score descriptors have been updated for assessment criterion 4. 
   

Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates

The following MRFF grant opportunities have opened for applications: 

• MRFF – 2025 Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles Grant Opportunity (GO7816)
  -  Minimum data due on 19 November 2025 at 17:00 AEDT
  -  Applications close on 3 December 2025 at 17:00 AEDT.
   
• MRFF – 2025 Genomics Health Futures Grant Opportunity (GO7833)
  -  Minimum data due on 21 January 2026 at 17:00 AEDT
  -  Applications close on 4 February 2026 at 17:00 AEDT.

The following MRFF grant opportunities have close due dates approaching:

• MRFF – 2025 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grant Opportunity (GO7589)
  -  Applications close on 20 August 2025 at 17:00 AEST.
   
• MRFF – 2025 Stem Cell Therapies Grant Opportunity (GO7561)
  -  Applications close on 20 August 2025 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, 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 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 and ABN (if applicable).

MRFF grant assessment committee self nomination

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

Key dates

Refer to Funding schemes and calendar.

Tracker

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