NHMRC Tracker – 12 January 2021

10 of the Best

The 12th edition of NHMRC’s 10 of the Best has been published, showcasing highlights from Australia’s health and medical research sector.

2021-2024 Triennium – nominations by 31 January 2021

Nominations are being sought from people with appropriate expertise to participate on NHMRC Council and Principal Committees for the 2021-2024 triennium.

The online nomination form and FAQs detailing NHMRC expectations of Members can be found at:

• Online nomination form
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Completed nominations must be submitted online by Sunday, 31 January 2021. Late and/or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.

Questions on the member nomination and selection process, not addressed in the FAQs, should be sent to nhmrc.appointments@health.gov.au.

Community Research Priorities Portal – submissions close 5 February 2021

The Community Research Priorities Portal enables community and professional groups to propose research topics to NHMRC that may warrant a dedicated funding call, in the form of a Targeted Call for Research. Potential research topics submitted through the portal must address a significant research knowledge gap or unmet need and/or link to national, state and territory and/or community priorities. Submissions developed and/or driven by individuals and academic/research institutions will not be considered.

The Portal is currently open for submissions, closing on 05 February 2021. Further information is available on the NHMRC Website.

Partnership Projects  - 2021 funding round dates 

The Partnership Project scheme will have three peer review cycles (PRCs) in 2021:

• PRC 1 will open for applications on 13 January 2021 
• PRC 2 will open for applications on 25 March 2021 
• PRC 3 will open for applications on 29 July 2021.

Further details are available below in ‘Key application dates’.

Partnership Projects 2021 funding with other organisations

In addition to partner organisations identified in the Partnership Projects 2021 Guidelines (section 4.4), applicants in 2021 may select the following funding opportunity from the Department of Health: 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Obesity Prevention Research special initiative. This special initiative provides the opportunity for community organisations contributing to health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop a relationship with a researcher to strengthen the evidence in FASD and obesity research.  

Further information will be available on GrantConnect.

NHMRC participation in the 2021 e-ASIA Joint Research Program

NHMRC is participating in the 2021 e-ASIA Joint Research Program 10th Health Research call for research proposals in infectious diseases or cancer. To be eligible to apply for NHMRC funding, a research project must consist of Australian researchers partnering with at least two research teams from participating e-ASIA member organisations. Details on the Health Research call are available on the GrantConnect, NHMRC and e-ASIA websites. 

NHMRC will accept applications from Australian researchers partnering with e-ASIA research teams from 0900 AEDT, 01 February 2021. Applications must be submitted via NHMRC’s Sapphire online grant management system by 1700 AEDT, 29 March 2021. 

Synergy Grants–2021 Key Dates 

The Synergy Grant scheme for funding commencing in 2022 is scheduled to open 24 February 2021. Minimum data is due 24 March 2021 and applications close 21 April 2021.

NHMRC thanks all researchers who accepted a preliminary invitation to participate as a Synergy Grants peer reviewer in 2021. A second round of invitations will be sent and NHMRC encourages members of the research community to contribute their expertise to the peer review process. Further information on NHMRC peer review will be sent to invitees in the coming months.

Investigator Grants—2021 Key Changes Factsheet 

The Investigator Grants 2021 Key Changes Factsheet aims to assist prospective applicants prepare their applications in advance of the scheme opening when the Guidelines are published.

Researchers are strongly encouraged to start planning their applications early. This includes new users registering for a SAPPHIRE account well in advance of the opening dates to update their profile and become familiar with the system. Information on how to do this is available from the Sapphire landing page or on the Sapphire Internet Page.

Ideas Grants—2021 Peer Review 

Thank you to all researchers who nominated to participate in the 2021 Ideas Grants peer review process. Invitations to participate were sent in mid-December 2020, and will continue to be sent into early 2021.

MRFF Opportunities— Closing Feb-March 2021 

There are 12 open MRFF grant opportunities available through NHMRC covering a range of public and preventive health research, clinical trials and most MRFF Mission areas.  Minimum data deadlines and application close dates are detailed in the key application dates table below.  Additional details on how to apply for MRFF grant opportunities is available on GrantConnect.  

Researchers, consumers, clinicians and health practitioners, as well as those in industry, policy or who manage health services are invited to express their interest in assisting with the assessment of MRFF applications as a member of a grant assessment committee. Register via the NHMRC online portal.

Further information on these MRFF grant opportunities can be found on the NHMRC website.

Public Call — Research priorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

We would like to hear from you. NHMRC is asking for research priority areas in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, specifically where is there a significant research knowledge gap or unmet need.

Further details and submissions can be made here.

Sapphire Update—Preparing for 2021 rounds 

Researchers are responsible for confirming that their profile data is complete and up-to-date prior to submitting an application, and/or to be considered for peer review. A summary of the key changes to a Sapphire Profile and NHMRC's recommendations for checking your profile data are available here. 

NHMRC is now considering peer reviewer requirements for the 2021 grant opportunities. Please ensure you have completed your Peer Review Areas and Fields of Research within your Sapphire profile. This will assist NHMRC to identify researchers when formulating panels in the lead up to peer review. For more information please visit the Sapphire webpage.

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