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 - Genetics of depression: risk and response to treatment with Dr Brittany Mitchell
One in 7 Australians will experience depression in their lifetime and the World Health Organization estimates that depression will be the number one health concern in both the developed and developing nations by 2030. And yet still 30% of people do not respond to any treatment.
With a nod to World Mental Health Day (10 October), we’re rethinking the future of how we treat mental health. Pioneering researcher into the genetics of depression, Dr Brittany Mitchell, will join us for Speaking of Science on Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 11:00AM – 12:00PM AEDT.
Dr Mitchell will discuss her research into the genetics of depression, and how she is revolutionising the future of mental health treatment.
There will be a Q&A session at the end, so we encourage you to attend and ask questions! Register on Eventbrite now.
Don't miss out on the chance to learn, engage, and connect! Be the first to know about our upcoming Speaking of Science webinars by subscribing on our website.
National Health and Medical Research Strategy - consultation closing soon
Have your say on the draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy.
NHMRC is working closely with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to develop a National Strategy that aims to build on Australia’s strengths in the health and medical research sector, fill any gaps, and continue to attract researchers and investors to Australia.
In August, the Minister for Health and Ageing announced the release of the draft National Strategy for public consultation.
We invite you to provide your feedback on the draft. Before providing feedback read the draft National Strategy and the guiding questions for submissions - both available on the Department’s consultation hub.
Consultations will close on Wednesday 8 October 2025.
AAHMS dispels myths of causal link between autism, paracetamol and vaccines
On 23 September 2025 the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) released a new Evidence Brief on autism, addressing misinformation and reaffirming what the science makes clear: there is no evidence that vaccines or paracetamol cause autism.
The brief explains that autism arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, most often influencing development before birth. Family history is one of the strongest predictors, and hundreds of genetic variants have been identified. While some environmental influences during pregnancy are under investigation, current evidence shows only weak associations, not causal relationships.
Read the full brief available on the Australian Policy Online website at Autism: an evidence brief (PDF 7.8 MB).
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research – postponed effective date
The 2025 update of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Statement) includes a fully revised Section 4 and minor selective changes to other sections.
The effective date of the 2025 National Statement was scheduled for 1 October 2025. Due to the major revisions to Section 4 and associated change to the Human Research Ethics Application form, and to allow institutions additional time to prepare the necessary adjustments, the effective date of the 2025 National Statement will be delayed until early 2026.
We expect that users of the National Statement will continue to familiarise themselves with the 2025 National Statement and to prepare necessary adjustments in the lead up to the effective date. We encourage institutions to adopt the 2025 National Statement prior to the effective date if they are ready to do so.
Both the 2023 and 2025 versions are available on the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research page.
For further information, please contact ethics@nhmrc.gov.au.
Evolution of microsurgery
NHMRC has recently published a new impact case study. It describes how NHMRC funded researchers at what is now St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research pioneered the development of microsurgery. Their innovations transformed reconstructive surgery, allowing complex procedures that drastically reduced the need for amputations and improved outcomes for patients with trauma and cancer.
Read more about this and other positive impacts arising from NHMRC grant funding in our impact case studies on NHMRC’s website.
Changes to 2026 Synergy Grants
Potential applicants to the 2026 Synergy Grant round and RAOs are advised that, consistent with earlier advice to the sector, the 2026 Synergy Grant round will incorporate the new research impact and pathway to impact assessment criteria, which was introduced in the 2026 Investigator Grant round.
Information on the key changes to this criteria are in the Investigator Grants 2026 Guidelines (section 2.3 and appendix G – section 6.10.2) on Grant Connect (GO7711).
Further details and resources will be available on NHMRC’s website and GrantConnect when the Synergy Grant round opens.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
Forecast opportunity: Targeted Call for Research on homelessness and health 2025
NHMRC is considering opening a grant opportunity in late October 2025 that aims to support research into investigating the short- and long-term adverse health outcomes experienced by individuals living in unstable housing conditions. The insights gained from this research will inform the development and implementation of comprehensive interventions aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities among people experiencing homelessness in Australia.
Full details of this Forecast Opportunity (FO) are available on GrantConnect. Interested parties can watch the FO (by clicking the star icon) to be alerted via email of any updates to the notice, including the grant guidelines.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
Key NHMRC grant program dates
NHMRC grant opportunities are funded through the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).
The following opportunities are opening soon:
Centres of Research Excellence 2026 grant opportunity
- Applications open on Wednesday 1 October 2025
- Minimum data due on Wednesday 29 October 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT)
- Applications will close on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT).
The 2026 grant opportunity will include 4 application streams:
- Basic science research
- Clinical research
- Health services research
- Public health research
In this grant opportunity, additional funding is available from the following partner organisations:
- Bowel Cancer Australia will provide funding to NHMRC for one Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Centre of Research Excellence through the CRE in basic science research application stream. The Early-Onset Bowel Cancer CRE will focus on the aetiology of the increasing rates of early-onset bowel cancer in Australia.
- The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will provide funding to NHMRC for one CRE for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Research in Aged Care through the CRE in health services research application stream. The CRE for IPC Research in Aged Care will provide cost-effective, evidence based strategies to enhance IPC including antimicrobial stewardship within the Australian aged care sector.
This grant opportunity was forecast on GrantConnect and more information will be available on the application open date.
The following opportunities have minimum data due soon:
2025 Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies scheme
- Minimum data due on Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 17:00 (AEDT)
- Applications will close on Wednesday 5 November 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 C in the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants 2025 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.
Please contact help@nhmrc.gov.au for further information.
Scientific Progress Report – NHMRC-funded grants
NHMRC has revised its Scientific Progress Report for NHMRC-funded (MREA) grants that are required to submit a progress report.
The updated template will include additional and revised questions for better visibility of achievement against outcomes, to identify clinical trial components and capture clinical trial registry details and support data availability to evaluate NHMRC funded grants.
The updated template will be released in Sapphire in late October or early November 2025.
Transitioning to the new template
The revised MREA progress report will be available on the existing progress report milestone for reports due 2026 onwards and any unsubmitted overdue reports.
Any unsubmitted progress reports will be overwritten when the new template is released. Please complete any overdue reports as soon as possible. Further information will be provided in the coming weeks.
Medical Research Future Fund – grant opportunities key dates
The following MRFF grant opportunity has opened for applications:
2025 Clinical Trials Activity Grant Opportunity (GO7923)
- Minimum data due on 4 March 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT)
- Applications close on 1 April 2026 at 17:00 (AEDT).
The following MRFF grant opportunities have minimum data due dates approaching:
- Minimum data due on Wednesday 8 October at 17:00 (AEDT)
- Applications close on Wednesday 5 November at 17:00 (AEDT).
- Minimum data due on Wednesday 8 October at 17:00 (AEDT)
- Applications close on Wednesday 5 November 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 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 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
Refer to Funding schemes and calendar.
Tracker
See previous editions of Tracker.
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