Funding to develop your research plan for novel and transformative research projects in the health and medical sector

The MRFF Frontier Health and Medical Research Program will provide grants to a total of $570 million over ten years to establish this landmark initiative. For the Stage One – Research Plan grant opportunity, up to $1 million in funding will be made available to 10 multi-disciplinary teams including research and industry partners to work on novel and transformative ideas that will produce practical benefits to Australians and also globally.

The teams will have 12 months to develop a detailed research plan to outline the activities, methods and partnerships required to transform the idea from concept to implementation in the health system.

Australia has the potential to lead markets and create new ones by applying cutting-edge science and technologies to new, first-in-world applications that improve human health. This program encourages Australia’s best and brightest researchers to create talented and ambitious multi-disciplinary teams.

The program will operate using a two-stage competitive process:

• Stage One funds the development of detailed research plans for cutting-edge research projects.
• Stage Two will fund the implementation of selected research projects.

Plans developed in Stage One are used to apply for implementation funding made available through Stage Two.

Stage One

The Stage One grant opportunity funds up to 10 projects for one year to develop a detailed research plan. Your research plan will need to cover up to five years of activity that takes your idea from concept to outcome. You must demonstrate how your idea is novel and transformative and show how you will bring together multi-disciplinary research and industry partners to transform your idea into practical benefit for Australia.

The intended outcome of this grant opportunity is a detailed research and implementation plan. Your research should transform healthcare in Australia with a range of new treatments for disease and medical services. Your plan will form the basis of a Stage Two application.

Applications for Stage One will open 30 January 2020.

Stage Two

Stage Two projects will enable selected research plans developed under Stage One to receive investment to develop their ideas. These ideas will revolutionise healthcare with new technological advances or approaches.

Stage Two grants will vary depending on applicant requirements, but they would typically be in the range of $10 to $20 million each year for 5 years.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible you must:

• have an Australian business number (ABN)
• be incorporated in Australia

You must also be one of the following eligible bodies:

• a medical research institute
• a university
• a corporate Commonwealth entity
• a corporation (including businesses and not for profits)
• a state or territory government
• a state or territory government entity

You should read the grant opportunity guidelines and sample grant agreement before you apply.

To apply, you must submit your application through the online portal. You will need to set up an account when you first log into the portal. The portal allows you to apply for and manage a grant or service in a secure online environment.