Funding for health and medical research infrastructure

This program provides funding to establish and extend infrastructure of critical importance, that will be used to conduct world-class health and medical research in areas of unmet medical need.

The 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative invests in research infrastructure to ensure Australian researchers find innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need. This grant opportunity has four streams.

Stream 1 - Innovation enablers

Address an area of unmet medical need by promoting the development and implementation of new research infrastructure by supporting development and/or expansion of research enablers such as biobanks, tissue repositories, novel platforms, and secure health data environments to create valuable research resources.

Stream 2 - Digitisation of health care

Translate or implement innovative artificial intelligence technologies into health applications that:

• benefit multiple health disciplines/areas
• involve consumers in the research journey to ensure the research is applicable to the needs of the Australian community; and
• increase artificial intelligence workforce capacity and capability, particularly in relation to health, through cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Stream 3 - Co-investment partnerships

Utilise co-investment (cash only) with the research sector, state and/or territory governments, and industry, in significant critical research infrastructure (e.g. facilities, personnel and equipment):

• to support development of research capacity, capability and/or effectiveness in an area of unmet medical need, or
• to enable Australian research using new platforms, systems and services in an area of unmet medical need.

Stream 4 - mRNA technology enablers

Leverage and enhance emerging mRNA technologies, platforms, and/or equipment to accelerate development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics in an area of unmet medical need.

An application may only be submitted to one of the above four streams. Applicants must specify the stream to which they are applying in their application.

Reporting templates are available from the MRFF grants management webpage. The page also provides other resources for MRFF grant administration, including current policies and relevant forms and templates.