Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Speaking of Science - Oral health in the land of milk and honey: developing dairy based technologies to help reduce oral diseases
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 on Microsoft Teams here.
Statement from ARC and NHMRC: bolstering Australian research integrity
The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Australian Research Council (ARC) and NHMRC have released a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to upholding the highest standards of research integrity in Australia.
The ARC and NHMRC are working with Universities Australia and the research sector to better understand how Australia’s research integrity system is operating and where it can be strengthened. This includes building a stronger national evidence base on research integrity issues, supporting high quality and responsible research practices, and ensuring institutional responsibilities under the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research are clearly understood and embedded.
Through these actions, the ARC and NHMRC aim to enhance the quality, transparency and accountability of Australian research, and to support researchers and institutions to continue delivering ethical, excellent and impactful research.
A copy of the full joint statement is available on NHMRC's website.
Commissioning new artwork for NHMRC
We’re extending an invitation for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists to submit a Request for Quote (RFQ) to commission new artwork for NHMRC. This artwork will become a central visual element across our communications - used on web, print, email, presentations, and social media - and will support the launch of NHMRC’s new Reconciliation Action Plan later in the year. The commissioned artwork will reflect NHMRC’s mission of building a healthy Australia, our values, and our commitment to reconciliation and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
Artists or organisations who would like more information, or to receive the full RFQ, are encouraged to contact communications@nhmrc.gov.au.
Public consultation on the proposed remake of the NHMRC Regulation
The National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016 (the Regulation) is due to sunset later this year. This means that if the Regulation is not remade, it will automatically repeal on 1 October 2026. NHMRC has assessed that the Regulation operates effectively and is an important and useful part of the legislative framework. It is proposed that the Regulation be replaced by a new regulation that is substantially the same. Public consultation on the proposed remake of the Regulation is now open on NHMRC's consultation hub.
Consultation closes on Sunday 22 March 2026 at 11:59PM AEDT.
Reminder: Scientific Progress Reports due
A reminder that in November 2025, NHMRC released its revised Scientific Progress Report for grants funded through NHMRC’s MREA that are required to submit a progress report.
The updated template includes additional and revised questions for better visibility of achievement against outcomes, as well as to identify clinical trial components and their clinical trial registry details, and support data availability to evaluate NHMRC-funded grants.
The Scientific Progress Report template is available in Sapphire to all CIAs from applicable schemes.
Scientific Progress Reports are due to be completed annually on 30 April.
For information read Progress, final and additional reporting and the Final Report for MREA grants on our website.
Impact case studies
NHMRC has recently published 2 new impact case studies:
From bone biology to better treatments
NHMRC supported research at St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research has led to the development of bone cell biology as a field, defining the key bone cell types, their regulation, and interactions. This foundational work has had significant positive effects upon clinical practice, particularly in the treatment of osteoporosis, hypercalcaemia of malignancy and osteogenic sarcoma. The research has contributed to the development of widely used therapeutics such as denosumab and has influenced global clinical practice.
Protecting children from pneumonia
Worldwide, pneumonia is a leading cause of childhood death. About one-third of these deaths could be prevented by using the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). Most of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries that have not made full use of PCV, both because of its high cost and uncertainty about impact. Researchers at the University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and their international partners have taken major steps towards making PCV more accessible globally.
Read more NHMRC impact case studies on our website.
e-ASIA Joint Research Program 15th Call for proposals webinar
The e‑ASIA Joint Research Program is a multilateral international initiative that brings together researchers from across East Asia and partner countries to collaborate on high‑quality science and health research, sharing knowledge and innovation to address regional and global challenges.
The 15th Call for proposals is now open. Potential applicants are encouraged to watch the recording of the webinar and view associated documents on the e-ASIA website. The health research funding stream is listed as “Thematic Area 1 (Health Research)”.
FAQs related to the 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program are on GrantConnect.
NHMRC-European Partnership for Brain Health pre-proposal stage closing soon
Applicants to the 2026 NHMRC-European Partnership for Brain Health (EP BrainHealth) funding opportunity are reminded that pre-proposals must be submitted to the Joint Call Secretariat by 00:00 AEDT, 11 March 2026 (14:00 CET, 10 March 2026).
Details are available on the GrantConnect, NHMRC and EP BrainHealth websites.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for assistance.
Key NHMRC grant program dates
NHMRC grant opportunities are funded through the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).
Applications will open on Wednesday 11 March 2026. 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.
Key dates:
- Minimum data due by Wednesday 8 April 2026 at 17:00 AEST
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at 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.
2026 NHMRC-Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD)
NHMRC invites Australia-based researchers to submit applications for the 11th GACD funding call through the forecast on GrantConnect.
The objective of this grant opportunity is to fund implementation research focused on strategies leveraging opportunities provided by settings and sectors beyond the health system in low- and middle-income countries and/or for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.
The GACD online application portal is now open for stage one applications. Applicants should refer to the GACD website for key dates and application guidance. For details on NHMRC’s participation in this grant opportunity refer to GrantConnect.
Partnership Projects Peer Review Cycle 1 (PRC1) 2026
- The due date for NHMRC approved administering institutions to submit partner waiver requests for applications is Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 17:00 AEDT.
- Minimum data is due by Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 17:00 AEDT. Only applicants that completed minimum data by Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 17:00 AEDT can submit a full application in PRC1.
- Applications close on Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 17:00 AEDT.
Minimum data is due on Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 17:00 AEDT. Minimum data requirements are detailed in section 7.3.1 of the Synergy Grants 2026 Guidelines available on GrantConnect.
For more information contact help@nhmrc.gov.au.
Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates
The following MRFF grant opportunities have opened for applications:
The following MRFF grant opportunity has a minimum data due date approaching:
o Minimum data due on Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 17:00 AEDT
o Applications close on Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 17:00 AEDT.
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, 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).
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.
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