NHMRC Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change

About the Special Initiative

Background

NHMRC hosted a stakeholder workshop in 2019 to understand past investments in human health and environmental change research, key areas of research need and how a strategic investment by NHMRC could best contribute to this priority area. NHMRC also consulted its Research Committee and Council, whose membership includes Commonwealth, state and territory chief medical officers, to identify the best model to facilitate and support collaborative research.

Objectives and outcomes

NHMRC's Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change (SIHHEC) will provide a catalytic stimulus to improve Australia's current capability and capacity in human health and environmental change research, by supporting a single, multidisciplinary, nationally focused, collaborative network of researchers across Australia. The work of this network will help to protect the health of the Australian community and build a resilient and responsive health system.

The objective of the SIHHEC is to strengthen the Australian health system's resilience, preparedness and responsiveness to changing environmental conditions and extreme weather events by establishing a collaborative, multidisciplinary network that builds national research capacity and capability in human health and environmental change, with a focus on one or more of the following areas:

• improving data sets and linkages needed to measure and evaluate the health-related impacts of environmental change at the individual and population level
• improving current understanding of the complex interactions between primary, secondary and tertiary health effects of environmental and climate change (such as direct injury, changes to vector-borne diseases and increased air pollution, and social and economic disruption, respectively), as well as the interaction of changing environmental conditions with health inequity and inequality
• assessing the health risks–both direct and indirect–and health system needs/costs associated with environmental change and extreme weather events, particularly over the long term, in vulnerable population groups and in affected regions, and/or
• stimulating innovative solutions, developing evidence-based mitigation and adaptation plans, and conducting health-focused cost-benefit analyses of strategies that address the health impacts of environmental change.

To meet this objective, the network will be expected to:

• involve researchers from different fields and institutions, not limited to health and medical research, and existing national and international networks in the research effort to foster multidisciplinary research collaboration, and
• engage and build cross-sectoral partnerships with research end-users (for example, affected communities, policymakers and health system professionals) throughout the grant period, including:
  • during its first year, to refine the research questions and establish collaborative arrangements for undertaking the research, and
  • subsequently, to translate research outcomes into health policy and/or practice.

The intended outcomes of the SIHHEC are:

• increased research capacity and capability in the field of human health and environmental change
• a significant increase in our understanding of the health impacts and future health system needs and costs associated with environmental change and extreme weather events in Australia, particularly over the long term and for higher risk groups/regions
• a strong evidence base to support public health messaging and health sector preparedness and responsiveness to environmental change, including practical strategies and advice that could be used by Australian health system planners, professionals and policymakers
• strong ties between research groups from relevant disciplines, research end-users and funders to ensure the effective communication and translation of research efforts and to provide the foundations for ongoing, coordinated national effort beyond the term of the grant.

If you are applying for the SIHHEC and have not yet registered for a Sapphire account you will need to register.

Prospective applicant list

To facilitate collaboration and the development of joint applications, NHMRC will maintain a list of prospective applicants and share their details on request.

Prospective applicants are not obliged to register for the list and will not be preferenced or disadvantaged in NHMRC's assessment process by virtue of their decision to register (or not). However, prospective applicants who are actively seeking or open to partnering with others on an application are encouraged to register by emailing the following details to targeted.research@nhmrc.gov.au

• Administering Institution name
• Chief Investigator (preferably CIA) name/s
• an email address as point of contact
• brief outline (one to two paragraphs maximum) of your interest in the SIHHEC and what you are seeking by registering.

New listings will be accepted from 18 November 2020 until the minimum data due date of 10 March 2021.

Prospective applicants may request a copy of the list at any time during the application period by emailing targeted.research@nhmrc.gov.au, noting that only prospective applicants who have registered at the time of the request will be listed. NHMRC will not otherwise publish or distribute the list, does not endorse listed institutions or CIs, and has no further role in facilitating contact or collaboration between applicants.

As noted above, listing is optional and all applicants, regardless of whether they are listed or not, must apply through NHMRC's granting system to be considered for funding.

Where to go for assistance

Resources are available to assist you in navigating Sapphire, such as Help (a list of frequently asked questions), how-to videos and access to the Research Help Centre. The Help Centre will be available by email and telephone to assist you with any questions and issues.

NHMRC will update Sapphire with latest news and other relevant information. We encourage you to check back regularly to keep yourself informed.

Peer Review information

You can find information on the peer review process in the Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change Peer Review Guidelines. These will be available for download at the bottom of this page once the call opens in Sapphire.