Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)

Funding important health and medical research

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is a $20 billion long-term investment supporting Australian health and medical research.

Beginning in 2015, and representing the single largest boost to research funding in Australia’s history, the The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) aims to transform health and medical research and innovation to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to health system sustainability.

MRFF strategies and priorities are complementary but distinct to those addressed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and are intended to complement other investments by state and territory governments, as well as the private sector.

MRFF 10-year plan

The Australian Government announced a $5 billion, 10-year investment plan for the MRFF as part of its 2019–20 Budget. This includes secure funding for each of the 20 initiatives under the MRFF, which under four themes. Developing new drugs, devices, treatments, and cures may take more than a decade. This 10-year plan gives researchers and industry certainty and direction and will reaffirm Australia’s reputation as a world leader in medical research.

MRFF funding is directed into four themes:

1. Patients
2. Researchers
3. Research Missions
4. Research Translation

MRFF grants (submitted via the NHMRC Sapphire Grant portal) applicants will now be required to submit a formal DVCR co-funding request. The DVCR Co-funding is to support MQ researchers to successfully complete their proposed NHMRC and MRFF projects by providing up to 20% co-funding on funds to remain at Macquarie. The goal is for the DVCR Co-funding is to facilitate MQ applicants in providing a ‘top-up’ of NHMRC salary costs (PSP’s), which are lower than MQ equivalent salary rates.

• View application information for researchers
• See MRFF application and support templates