Research funding statistics and data

These data represent a snapshot of the NHMRC‘s research funding activity at the time that the data was extracted from our systems. These data were last updated 22 March 2022.

Changes to previously reported data

Our funding data have undergone cleaning to improve data quality. The method for collecting and collating application and grant data by disease, health and research topic was recently updated to ensure a more robust output for past, present and future reporting. As such, dollar amounts, application and grant totals for a number of topics have been adjusted to include not only new results, but also past applications and grants not identified using older forms of data collection.

NHMRC Funding for major diseases, conditions or health areas

The majority of NHMRC funding is investigator-initiated and is not directed by NHMRC to any specific disease, health or research topic. The subject matter of each application is determined by the applicants. Additionally, a proportion of NHMRC funds is directed to specific topics primarily through the Targeted Calls for Research and International Collaboration schemes, or priorities identified in the NHMRC Corporate Plan.

Funding decisions are the outcome of a competitive process that relies on the collective judgement of independent peer reviewers. There is strong demand for NHMRC funding and the process is very competitive, so not all high quality research proposals are able to be funded.

For reporting purposes, NHMRC classifies applications against disease, health and research topics based on information provided at the time of application including an application’s title, keywords, media summaries and other research classifications where appropriate.

This process results in the classification of applications to more than one topic. NHMRC does not apportion funding when more than one topic is indicated and the full value of the grant is attributed.

Relevance to the topic may be either a direct focus or a broader focus such as a longer term potential benefit. The resulting datasets may include a broad range of research from discovery science through to clinical research, health services and public health research.

If the below tables do not provide the information you seek please contact nhmrc.statistics@nhmrc.gov.au. 

COVID-19 impacts

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is committed to supporting national and international efforts, including NHMRC funded experts, to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences.

Read more information on COVID-19.

NHMRC and other Australian Government priorities

The following table summarises our expenditure into the research area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health and the Australian Government’s former National Health Priority Areas.

NHMRC expenditure by Former National Health Priority Areas 2013 to 2021

^{1 Funding for Dementia excludes research activities that are outside the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) such as the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research and the Dementia Collaborative Research Centres.}

^{2 Includes research into addiction.} 

Other disease, research and health areas

The following table provides summary expenditure by a range of different disease, health and research areas.

NHMRC expenditure for Disease, research and health areas 2013 to 2021

^{_{3 These disease, health and research topics are based on the International Classification of Disease (ICD) produced by the World Health Organisation. For further information about these Disease, Health or Research Topics please}} 

^{_{4 The figures in the table above for Immunological Diseases have been modified to exclude immunological research specifically related to cancer. These figures relate to research relevant to allergy, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiency.}}

^{_{5 Includes research into addiction.}}

NHMRC expenditure for research relevant to specific populations 2013 to 2021

Outcomes of NHMRC Grant Application Rounds

A full list of grants awarded each year is available here.

NHMRC Analysis of Australian Health and Medical Research Publications

We regularly publish reports on the scientific publication output and the citation impact of NHMRC-funded research and of Australian health and medical research more broadly.

• Analysis of Australian Health and Medical Research publications

Governance Reporting

In accordance with our reporting obligations, further data on our grants is available at the below link.

• Government reporting requirements