Status: Open

Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the Centres of Research Excellence scheme.

Aim

The objectives of the CRE scheme are to:

  • improve health outcomes
  • promote or improve translation of research outcomes into policy and/or practice
  • support researchers in capacity-building activities, including in specific areas of need identified by NHMRC.

The intended outcomes of the CRE scheme are to:

  • support the conduct and development of innovative, high-quality, collaborative research
  • promote effective translation of research into knowledge gain, health policy and/or practice
  • foster and build capacity and capability in the health and medical research workforce,
  • provide opportunities to expand and improve collaborations between research teams.

A CRE may be a single physical entity or institute or a geographically disparate network linking across more than one institution. Centres are encouraged to collaborate with and participate in national and international research studies.

The CRE 2024 grant opportunity will provide support for teams of researchers to pursue collaborative research and develop capacity in:

  • Basic science research (inclusive dementia research),
  • Clinical research,
  • Health services research,
  • Public health research

Applicants nominate the application stream that best fits their research proposal.

Key Changes:

Applicants need to note the following changes for the CRE 2024 grant opportunity (see guidelines)

  • The funding allocation to the CRE scheme has increased, and the funding distribution across CRE streams has changed (Section 3).
  • Funding is available for CRE in Basic Science Research grants, including for dementia research with a basic science research focus (Section 3 and Appendix A2).
  • CRE assessment criteria and score descriptors have been amended to incorporate assessment of CRE in Basic Science Research stream applications (Section 6 and Appendix B).
  • Guidance is provided on addressing research translation (Appendix C, section 7.7).

A CRE 2024 grant in the Basic Science Research, Clinical Research, Health Services Research and Public Health Research streams provides a fixed budget of $3 million per grant, paid evenly over the grant period (no budget required by the NHMRC).

Subject to the receipt of competitive applications, the number of CRE grants to receive funding will be:

  • up to 5 CREs in Basic Science Research; including one for dementia research with a basic science research focus
  • up to 5 CREs in Clinical Research
  • up to 5 CREs in Health Services Research
  • up to 5 CREs in Public Health Research
Changes to DVCR Co-Funding

For NHMRC grants, applicants will now be required to submit a formal DVCR Co-funding request. The formal DVCR Co-funding request replaces the previous support of the Strategic Research Fund (SRF), which was managed directly between your Faculty Research Office and the DVCR Office and was not directly visible to academics as internal co-funding for their successful grants.

The DVCR Co-funding is to support MQ researchers to successfully complete their proposed NHMRC 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.

These changes align the principles of DVCR Co-funding with other external funding schemes and assist the University in rationalising the allocation of internal funding used to leverage competitive external funding opportunities. As Macquarie researchers continue to excel in the NHMRC funding scheme, we need to find a mechanism to ensure all successful NHMRC grants can be supported.  As context, since 2015, our application volume for NHMRC funding has nearly doubled year on year. We know that health and medical researchers at Macquarie will be more active than ever in the coming years in applying for NHMRC funding to support their research, hence the need to make changes to meet the growing volume of awards.

Eligibility for DVCR Co-Funding

Eligibility for the DVCR Co-Funding Scheme is now contingent upon the on-time submission of grant applications by your mandatory compliance and eligibility check. Many applications for external funding require cash and in-kind contributions from the host institution in order to be considered for funding. This funding includes project support funds, funding for research associates, scholarships, and major equipment and in most cases, is processed via the DVCR Co-Funding scheme. View further information on deadlines, processes and FAQs

  • Applications led by Macquarie University researchers must be submitted to the Research Services Grant Development Team 4 weeks prior to the external deadline if requesting an optional strategic review and 2 weeks prior for a mandatory compliance and eligibility check. Please refer to the fellowships and grant opportunities webpage for information on deadlines and processes.
  • Applications that do not have a Pure record and/or do not have all the appropriate approvals in Pure (Head of Department/School [HoD/HoS] and Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation [DDRI]) will not be submitted to the external funding body. It is the lead applicant’s responsibility to ensure the approvals in Pure are complete prior to submission.
  • NHMRC opening date in Sapphire: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
  • Strategic review (optional): Wednesday, 8-9 November 2023, Book via Strategic Review Booking calendar
  • NHMRC minimum data deadline: Wednesday, 15 November 2023, 17.00 ACT local time
  • Compliance and Eligibility check (mandatory): Wednesday,15-16 November 2023. Book via the C&E booking calendar
  • Applicant submits a final application in Sapphire: 11:59 pm Sunday 26 November 2023
  • Research Services submission to NHMRC: Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 17.00 ACT local time
  • Outcomes expected: August 2024

Note: NHMRC locates all their scheme documentation in GrantConnect. You will be required to set-up a username and password to access.