The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is committed to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourages applications that address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
On this page:
Search for Indigenous health and medical research and researchers' information on Find funding.
Outcomes from the call are available to download on Outcomes of funding rounds.
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.
Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria
Qualifying applications must address the NHMRC Indigenous Research Excellence criteria as follows:
- Community engagement
The proposal demonstrates how the research and potential outcomes are a priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with relevant community engagement by individuals, communities and/or organisations in conceptualisation, development and approval, data collection and management, analysis, report writing and dissemination of results. - Benefit
The potential 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. - 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. - Building capability
The proposal demonstrates how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and researchers will develop relevant capabilities through partnerships and participation in the project.
Panels will consider these in their overall assessment of the application, together with the scheme-specific assessment criteria (refer to the scheme-specific funding rules).
Targeted Calls for Research
There are currently no open Targeted Calls for Research (TCR) regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Submissions are always welcome via 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.
For more information, visit the Community Research Priorities Portal.
Previous TCRs
- 2022 Improving Indigenous maternal and child health in the early years
A TCR into Improving Indigenous maternal and child health in the early years is now closed.
Outcomes from the call will be made available on Targeted Call for Research: Improving Indigenous maternal and child health in the early years 2022. - 2019 Nutrition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
A TCR into Nutrition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is now closed.
Further information is available on Targeted Call for Research into Nutrition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. - 2019 Healthy Ageing
A TCR into Healthy Ageing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is now closed.
Further information is available on Targeted Call for Research into Healthy Ageing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. - 2018 Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
A TCR into Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples from Early Life to Young Adults is now closed.
Further information is available on Grant Connect. - 2017 Dementia
NHMRC opened a TCR into Dementia in Indigenous Australians. Applications for this scheme are now closed.
Outcomes from the call are available on Outcomes of funding rounds. - 2013 Suicide prevention
NHMRC opened a TCR into Suicide Prevention in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Outcomes from the call are available to dowload on Outcomes of funding rounds. - 2012 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
NHMRC opened a TCR into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Outcomes from the call are available to dowload on Outcomes of funding rounds.
Research priority areas
In 2020, NHMRC sought community input into research priorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health to inform the basis of TCR grant opportunities.
A public call for research priorities opened in November 2020 and closed in February 2021 and received 32 submissions covering a broad range of topics.
