A Targeted Call for Research (TCR) is a one-time request for grant applications to address a specific health issue where there is a significant research knowledge gap or unmet need. A TCR specifies the scope and objectives of the research to be proposed, application requirements and procedures, and the review criteria to be applied in the evaluation of applications submitted in response to the TCR.
In alignment with our Corporate Plan, a TCR is designed to stimulate research or build research capacity in a particular area of health and medical science to the benefit of Australians.
TCRs complement our existing suite of funding schemes by providing a mechanism to respond to emerging research needs and prioritising potential topics according to relative urgency and impact.
Evaluation of NHMRC’s Special Initiatives
NHMRC’s funding program also includes large once off priority-driven grant opportunities, including special initiative grant opportunities, Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) grants for health priority areas, and other large grant opportunities within existing schemes or as standalone programs. Though each grant opportunity is unique in design, each has a common focus of establishing a national collaborative research network. ORIMA Research conducted an evaluation to identify the effectiveness of the grant opportunities in fostering national collaboration. See Evaluation of large scale priority-driven grant opportunities for the full report.
Open TCRs
- Serving and Ex-Serving Australian Defence Force Members Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Childhood Dementia
Upcoming TCRs
Further information on all TCR grant opportunities is available via GrantConnect.
Recently closed TCRs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health – Addressing Violence for Safer families and Communities
- Cancer Australia Research Initiative Targeted Call for Research: Early-Onset Cancer
- Homelessness and Health
Previous TCRs
2025
2024
- Climate-related health impacts and effective interventions to improve health outcomes
- Oral Health Care in Australia
2023
- Commercial determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- Ensuring the quality and safety of telehealth
- Improving infection prevention and control in residential aged care homes
- Improving the physical health of people with a mental illness
2022
- Loneliness, social isolation and chronic disease management
- Cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity in dementia research
- Improving Indigenous maternal and child health in the early years
2021
- Hearing Health 2021: Evidence-based support services
- Improving health of people with intellectual disability
- Participation in Cancer Screening Programs
- Biotoxin-related Illnesses
2020
- End of Life Care
- Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change
- National Network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Researchers
2019
2018
- Per- and poly-fluoroalkylated substances
- Nutrition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Frailty in Hospital Care
- Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks
- Healthy Ageing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing
2017
Outcomes of past TCRs
Funding outcomes for past Targeted Calls for Research are available from the links above.
Framework for identifying and prioritising Targeted Calls for Research
The framework (see Downloads section, below) describes our process for identifying, prioritising and approving TCR topics. TCR topics are identified through several different channels as in Figure 1.
We aim to conduct one TCR from each channel per year – see the following indicative annual schedule.
Indicative annual schedule
Figure 2 illustrates the TCR scheme cycle. For each channel, there will generally be a TCR underway and a TCR in development for the following year.
Community Research Priorities Portal
The Community Research Priorities Portal enables community and professional groups to submit research topics to us that may be underfunded or have a significant research knowledge gap. If prioritised, submissions may be developed into a TCR.
For more information, visit the Community Research Priorities Portal.
