Funding rules involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

On this page:

• Funding rules
• Targeted Calls for Research
• Research priority areas

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Funding rules

As part of NHMRC's stated commitment to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, NHMRC has established certain requirements and processes designed to ensure that research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is of the highest scientific merit and is beneficial and acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Applicants proposing to undertake research which specifically relates to the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or which includes distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, biological samples or data, should be aware of, and must refer to the following documents in formulating their proposal:

• NHMRC Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research
• Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities (2018)
• Keeping research on track II 2018.

To qualify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, at least 20% of the research effort and/or capacity building must relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Refreshed Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC)

In 2026, NHMRC refreshed the IREC. It is a stand-alone document that sits in a suite of NHMRC documents with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This includes:

• Ethical guidelines for research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research
• Triennial Action Plans
• Annual report cards
• NHMRC Innovate III – Reconciliation Action Plan
• Tripartite Agreement on international Indigenous health.  

Community engagement

The proposal demonstrates how the research and potential outcomes are a priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with community engagement and ownership by individuals, communities and/or organisations in conceptualisation, development and approval, project governance, data collection and management, analysis, report writing and dissemination of results.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities must be engaged from the conception of the projects as equal partners and have an active role in the governance of research (including data and intellectual property). Research teams must build trusted relationships and demonstrate respect for Indigenous knowledges and research methods. Research priorities should be determined by the community, be community led and self-determined.

Respectful two-way ‘reciprocal’ partnerships are created with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (and researchers).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leadership

The proposal demonstrates active Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leadership, in the research team, as partners and/or community. Indigenous people must be actively involved in all aspects of research involving them.

Benefit

The health benefit of the project is demonstrated by addressing an important public health issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This benefit can have a single focus or affect several areas, such as knowledge, finance and policy or quality of life. The benefit may be direct and immediate, or it can be indirect, gradual and considered. Benefit should bring a tangible health benefit or impact to the involved community.

Sustainability and transferability

The proposal demonstrates how the results of the project have the potential to lead to achievable and effective contributions to health gain for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, beyond the life of the project. This may be through sustainability in the project setting and/or transferability to other settings such as evidence-based practice and/or policy. In considering this issue the proposal should address the relationship between costs and benefits.

Sustainability and transferability should be considered from research concept. It is important that knowledge translation is valued, and to acknowledge that not all research conducted at a local level will be transferable, for instance, recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are not homogenous.

Building two-way capability

The proposal demonstrates how both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and researchers and the research team undertaking the project will develop relevant capabilities through partnerships and participation in the project.

Two-way capability is required to build successful mutually and culturally respectful relationships with a focus on ‘strengthening’ capability that recognises existing capability (that is, moving away from deficit-based language). Building capability of non Indigenous researchers is also important. This two-way capability building is both an institutional and research team responsibility.

A focus on research effort and/or capacity building should be on the building (or strengthening) of emerging Indigenous researchers and the next generation of Indigenous research workforce, as well as their well-demonstrated research partners, collaborators, and allies who clearly have a track-record of exercising professional and cultural humility in Indigenous research contexts.

Data sovereignty and governance

The proposal appropriately incorporates Indigenous data sovereignty principles and practices. Data that is collected reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and frameworks. The proposal acknowledges relevant Indigenous knowledge and conceptual frameworks in all aspects of research actions (framing, design, Indigenous methodologies, analysis).

Indigenous Data Sovereignty is the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations to maintain, control, protect, develop, and use data as it relates to them. Indigenous Data Sovereignty describes how the rights of Indigenous peoples, experiences, values and understanding are developed and reflected in any data and information gathered about them, their communities and their knowledges. Indigenous Data Sovereignty is practiced through Indigenous data governance.

Valuing Indigenous knowledges

Research that affects or draws from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and knowledge systems must be done in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Such research must uphold cultural safety by establishing and maintaining meaningful engagement with communities and Elders and by recognising and protecting their intellectual property, cultural authority and knowledge systems.

Review of the Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC)

In 2023, NHMRC, guided by its Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (PCIC), conducted a national consultation on the IREC to consider how the criteria are working in practice and whether improvements are needed.

A discussion paper was produced to inform the review. It provides information on the IREC and lists the consultation questions. 

A detailed report on the Consultation is available.

A key finding from the consultation is that there is strong support for adoption of an approach where all NHMRC applications answer a question about how the proposed research will benefit Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health. The new question is being included in application forms for selected grant opportunities. For more information, see the fact sheet.

Targeted Calls for Research

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.

Submissions can be made through the Community Research Priorities Portal. This portal enables community and professional groups to submit research topics to NHMRC that may be underfunded or have a significant research knowledge gap. If prioritised, submissions may be developed into a TCR.

Previous Targeted Calls for Research

Previous Targeted Calls for Research have included:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health – Addressing Violence for Safer families and Communities (2025)
• Commercial determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health (2023)
• Improving Indigenous maternal and child health in the early years (2022)
• National Network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Researchers (2020)
• Nutrition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (2018)
• Healthy Ageing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (2018)
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health (2018)
• Dementia in Indigenous Australians (2017)
• Suicide prevention in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth (2013)
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (2012).

Research priority areas

In July 2025, NHMRC opened the 2025 public call for research priorities. The call was open for 10 weeks and comprised an online survey and two workshops. The workshops were led by Professor Yvette Roe, Indigenous Advisory Group Chairperson, and Ms Samantha Faulkner, Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advice, and took place at the AIATSIS National Summit in Darwin (June 2 to 6) and the Lowitja 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference in Adelaide (16 to 19 June). A total of 71 submissions were received and are being prioritised by an NHMRC working committee. 

There were two national public consultations prior to this.  One held in 2016 and the other in 2020. Submissions from both consultations were assessed and prioritised by an NHMRC working committee, which included members of NHMRC’s Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (NHMRC’s advisory committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and health researchers). 

For any further questions please contact indigenous.advice@nhmrc.gov.au.