NHMRC-NIHR (UK) Collaborative Research Grants

Projects involving Australian researchers, based in Australia that are chosen by the NIHR for funding, may be eligible for NHMRC support.

The provisional funding allocation for the NHMRC-NIHR Collaborative Research Grant Scheme 2024 grant opportunity is $3 million over five years.

The amount of funding for each NHMRC-NIHR Collaborative Research Grant Scheme 2023 grant (for funding commencing in 2024) will be based on assessment of the requested budget. Applications must clearly justify the requested duration and budget and how they will support the proposed outcomes of the research. Internal NHMRC budget review will consider this information and NHMRC may alter the duration and/or budget to ensure the research aims and objectives can be achieved while ensuring value with money. An altered budget does not reduce the scope of the proposed research activity.

NHMRC intends to invite Australian researchers listed on successful applications submitted to Stage 1 to apply for NHMRC support of the Australian component of the research under the following topics:

• 22/146 Maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder
• 22/147 Pseudomonas aeruginosa eradication treatment in bronchiectasis
• 22/148 Surgical treatment of proximal ACL ruptures with ACL repair or ACL reconstruction
• 22/150 Intravesical treatments for recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) in women
• 22/152 Through-knee versus above-knee major limb amputation
• 22/155 Oral versus intramuscular glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis
• 22/154 Bisphosphonate therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• 22/156 Children and young people's mental health
• 22/157 Interventions to reduce hospital-based medication administration errors
• 22/158 Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system in takotsubo cardiomyopathy
• 22/166 Rehabilitation and care following stroke
• 22/167 Imaging pathways for investigation following heart failure diagnosis
• 22/168 The diagnostic accuracy of colon capsule endoscopy

The NIHR has the responsibility for administering these research calls and for the assessment of applications. Applicants should submit an outline research proposal directly to the NIHR HTA Programme in the first instance. Note that the Chief Investigator may be based in the UK or Australia and it is the responsibility of the Australian team to identify a UK-based collaborator. Instructions on how to apply, including commissioning briefs for each topic, are available on the HTA Programme website.

Australian-based researchers named on successfully shortlisted outline applications reviewed by the HTA Board will be invited to submit an application to NHMRC via Sapphire in parallel to their full applications to the NIHR HTA Programme. NHMRC will review the budget requested for the Australian-based component of the collaboration. The Australian-based researcher must be Chief Investigator A on the application submitted to NHMRC under this scheme.

Changes to Eligibility for DVCR Co-Funding

Eligibility for the DVCR Co-Funding Scheme is now contingent upon 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.

2023 HTA Topics and Process

For applications submitted in 2023:

Please note that our grant review processes have changed. Strategic reviews are optional, while compliance and eligibility checks are mandatory.

If you wish to receive a strategic review of your NHMRC application, you must book via the online booking calendar.

Compliance and eligibility reviews for your NHMRC application is mandatory and you must book via the online booking calendar.

There are sufficient booking times available for all applicants, but we recommend booking early to ensure you have an ample choice of dates.

Key dates:

• NIHR Stage 1 Opens: December 2022
• NIHR Applications Stage 1 Close: 29 March 2023
• Full Applications (stage 2) open in Sapphire and NIHR: 25 May 2023
• Strategic review (optional): 22 June, select your date in the strategic booking calendar
• Compliance and eligibility check: 6 July 2023, select your date and time in the compliance and eligibility booking calendar
• Applicant submits final application in Sapphire: 11:59pm Monday 17 July 2023
• Research Services submission to NHMRC: 20 July 2023
• Outcomes expected: November 2023

Find further information on NIHR HTA funding and further details of research topics available to Australian applicants.

MQ Resources

• GrantsConnect
• Pure Research Management System
• MQ Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
• Application Checklist
• MQ Salary Rates including on-costs (for proposals submitted in late 2022)