The objective of the Ideas Grant scheme is to support innovative research projects addressing a specific question(s).
The expected outcomes are:
- innovative and creative research
- funding of researchers at all career stages
- funding any area of health and medical research from discovery to implementation.
The scheme provides particular opportunities for early- and mid-career researchers. It is expected that the Chief Investigator A (CIA) will have the capability to lead the team in achieving the project aims.
The Ideas Grant scheme is not intended to support research where a clinical trial or cohort study is the primary objective. Applicants conducting projects which incorporate elements of clinical trial and/or cohort study must consider whether the project goals are more applicable to the Ideas Grant or Clinical Trials and Cohort Grant schemes.
Funding support
Ideas Grants may be funded by or in conjunction with other organisations. These grants offer opportunities to researchers whose work is particularly relevant to the priorities and research interests of the partner organisations.
Information on how organisations and individuals can support NHMRC to fund health and medical research is available on Working together to support health and medical research.
Peer review of Ideas Grants
For details regarding the peer review process, refer to the Ideas Grants 2023 Peer Review Guidelines on GrantConnect (GO6133).
Ideas Grants peer reviewer briefing webinar
View the transcript of the above Ideas Grants peer reviewer briefing webinar.
A de-identified pdf transcript of the Question and Answer session is available in the downloads section below.
Ideas Grants peer review mentor video
Below is a short video featuring some of our peer review mentors. Peer review mentors are independent senior researchers with experience conducting Ideas Grant/ NHMRC peer review. Our mentors were asked to address some of the key questions and themes relating to Ideas Grants peer review and NHMRC peer review in general. They discuss the methods and practices they use for conducting effective independent peer review.
View the Ideas Grants peer review mentor video transcript.
Level of funding
The amount of funding for an Ideas Grant is based on assessment of the requested budget.
Grant at a glance
Key changes
- Dementia research funding: An additional $7 million funding to support innovative dementia research projects led by early to mid-career investigators has been allocated for this round.
- Changes are detailed in Section 2.1 of the Ideas Grants 2023 Guidelines on GrantConnect (GO6133).