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National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

Research support Research grants and tenders National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

In this section

     NHMRC schemes  Flinders University grant application investment  Timelines  Application process  Accepting and managing funding  Get help

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) provides funding support for research in any area relevant to health - biomedical, clinical, public health and health services research.

NHMRC communicates information through an email subscription newsletter NHMRC Tracker. It is recommended that anyone considering an NHMRC application subscribe to NHMRC Tracker.

nhmrc-logo.jpeg

NHMRC schemes

Investigator Grants

Investigator Grants will support the research programs of outstanding investigators at all career stages.

Investigator Grants will be offered in two categories:

  • Emerging Leadership (EL) – recipients will have the title ‘NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow’
  • Leadership (L) - recipients will have the title ‘NHMRC Leadership Fellow’

Five levels of salary support and six tiers of Research Support Package (RSP) will be offered across the scheme.

For more information, visit the NHMRC site. Timelines for this scheme available below in NHMRC timelines.

Synergy Grants

Synergy Grants support outstanding multidisciplinary teams of investigators to work together to answer major research questions, that cannot be answered by a single investigator.

The Synergy Grant scheme will be open to all researchers, other than those who currently hold a program grant.

Diverse terms will consist of four to ten investigators and each investigator can only be named on one Synergy Grant.

For more information, visit the NHMRC site. Timelines for this scheme available below in NHMRC timelines.

Ideas Grants

Ideas Grants will support focussed innovative research projects addressing a specific question.

Ideas Grants will provide funding for up to five years for creative research by investigators at all career stages, including early and mid-career investigators, in any area of health and medical research, from discovery to implementation.

For more information, visit the NHMRC site. Timelines for this scheme available below in NHMRC timelines.

Strategic and Leveraging Grants

The Strategic and Leveraging Grant stream includes grant schemes that address identified strategic and national priorities and support leveraging funding.

The Strategic and Leveraging Grant stream includes:

  • Targeted Calls for Research
  • International collaborative schemes
  • Centres of Research Excellence
  • Development Grants
  • Partnerships for Better Health
  • Partnership Projects
  • Infrastructure funding
  • Postgraduate Scholarships
  • Other strategic initiatives (e.g. Boosting Dementia Research).

For more information, visit the NHMRC site. Timelines for these opportunities available below in NHMRC timelines.

Clinical trials and cohort studies grants

Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants aim to support high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies that address important gaps in knowledge, leading to relevant and implementable findings for the benefit of human health.

For more information, visit the NHMRC site. Timelines for this scheme available below in NHMRC timelines.

Flinders University grant application investment and support

NHMRC CRE and Synergy bids

Substantial support for major bids is provided on a case by case basis. If you wish to develop such a bid, please discuss with your College Dean (Research) and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

NHMRC Near Miss Funding

The Near Miss funding scheme provides funding to applicants whose grant application was ranked highly in the annual NHMRC Ideas Grants assessment process, but was not funded.

Funding is provided from the University research budget at the discretion of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) who may seek matching funding on a co-investment basis from the relevant Vice-President and Executive Dean/Dean (Research).

Funding will be awarded to the first named chief investigator (CI) on the unsuccessful NHMRC application. The CI must submit a new application for a NHMRC grant within 18 months or will not be eligible for any subsequent Near Miss funding.

NHMRC Partnership Project and Development Grants

Subject to submission by specific deadlines, University Research Budget and College co-funding, to a maximum of $20K pa for a maximum of three years will be committed to support the project if the application is successful, a contribution that should be included in the application. Overall, the Flinders’ contribution to be maximum of 20% of external funding (combined NHMRC request and industry commitment) that comes specifically to Flinders University.

Applicants need to provide a submission-ready application to Research Development and Support together with a signed and completed co-investment form. Extension requests will not be considered.

Internal deadlines:

  • NHMRC Partnership Grants - 18 November 2020
  • NHMRC Development Grants - TBC
Major Bids

Substantial support for major bids led by Flinders University researchers is provided on a case-by-case basis proportional to the strength of the bid and the expected return of research funding to Flinders.

If you wish to develop such a bid, please first discuss with the relevant Dean (Research).  The Dean (Research) should then discuss with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at least four months in advance of the closing date (excluding short turnaround MRFF opportunities).

RDS grant application support

The college research support staff, embedded within each College, assist with the application process at Flinders by working in close collaboration with the RDS Research Grants teams to ensure:

  • effective identification of research income opportunities;
  • delivery of effective pre-award, grant development and application services, and;
  • timely assistance in bringing together multidisciplinary groups to facilitate the preparation of major grant applications to external funding bodies.

RDS offers compliance review of all NHMRC Grants – please refer to the NHMRC timelines for due dates.

When your application is ready for review e.g. “submission-ready”, please email nhmrc@flinders.edu.au clearly labelling the email e.g. “Ideas Grant APP1234567 Smith – Ready for review”.

 

Presentations, seminars and other resources

Flinders provides NHMRC workshops and information sessions to our research community. These assist with identifying your research funding options, through to the planning, development, and writing of a funding application. 

Visit ienrol-research to access current opportunities. 

Visit our past training and development library to access recordings of our previous workshops and information sessions.

NHMRC timelines

Detailed critical dates and timelines for each of the National Health and Medical Research Council schemes are available below.

Centres for Research Excellence
1

21 October 2020

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

18 November 2020

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

19 November 2020

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

1 December 2020

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

2 December 2020

Applications close

6

TBA

Peer review

2021 Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies
1

30 June 2021

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

28 July 2021

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

TBC

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

24 August 2021

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

25 August 2021

Applications close

6

TBC

Peer review

Development Grants
1

21 April 2021

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

26 May 2021

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

2 June 2021

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

15 June 2021

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

16 June 2021

Applications close

6

TBA

Peer review

2021 Ideas Grants
1

10 March 2021

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

7 April 2021

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

TBA April 2021

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

4 May 2021

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

5 May 2021

Applications close

6

TBA 2021

Peer review

2021 Investigator Grants
1

3 February 2021

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

3 March 2021

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

TBA March 2021

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

30 March 2021

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

31 March 2021

Applications close

6

TBA 2021

Peer review

Partnerships Projects - 2020 Peer Review Cycle (PRC) 2
1

30 July 2020

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

18 November 2020

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

18 November 2020

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

1 December 2020

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

2 December 2020

Applications close

6

NA

Peer review

2021 Postgraduate Scholarships
1

14 April 2021

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

12 May 2021

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

TBC May-June 2021

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

8 June 2021

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

9 June 2021

Applications close

6

TBA

Peer review

2021 Synergy Grants
1

24 February 2021

Applications open in NHMRC Granting system (Sapphire)

2

24 March 2021

Minimum data due in Sapphire

3

TBA March-April 2021

RDS deadline for compliance review

4

20 April 2021

Deadline for certification in Sapphire by applicant

5

21 April 2021

Applications close

6

TBA

Peer review

Application process

Intent to Apply - NHMRC

Researchers intending to submit an application through Flinders University are requested to register their Intent to Apply. The register will open 29 June 2020, closing 22 July 2020. 

Submission of an intent to apply enables researchers to access a suite of benefits that are a value add to their funding application(s), including:

  • Initiation of appropriate advice and support - College leadership and RDS can initiate the appropriate advice and support that researchers may need before substantial work ensues with the grant application.
  • Grant development: workshop your application and approach – Researchers will be invited to access and participate.
  • Planning and resourcing to support you – RDS can provide the best quality and quantity across Flinders.

Please note that completion and submission of an intent to apply does not oblige you to proceed and submit a funding application.

Launch of the intent to apply register will be widely announced via ResearchLink and your College.

Research certification form

All external research grant applications, formal expressions of interest, and contracts or agreements requiring execution by the University require a fully completed research certification form. This ensures that your proposed research has the required internal and external authorisations, and is recorded and reported on by the University.

For further information on the grant application process at Flinders, visit our application process page.

Accepting and managing funding

While grant offers refer to individual researchers and projects, research funds are legally awarded to the University and grants can only be formally accepted by the delegated authority of the University.

 

Accepting

Funding outcomes are published on the NHMRC website on the same day they are announced by the Minister for Education. RDS will provide awardees with acceptance paper work as soon as possible, following the publication of funding round outcomes.

The lead investigator will receive an acceptance pack, which includes a letter of offer detailing any special NHMRC conditions, as well as a grant acceptance form, which will need to be completed and returned to RDS.

Chief investigator obligations

The NHMRC Funding Agreement, the relevant scheme funding rules and the schedule for your grant outline the responsibilities of the NHMRC, the University and chief investigators, including details relating to the payment and use of funding, specified personnel, reporting requirements and termination of the grant.

As a chief investigator you are responsible for ensuring that the research funds are expended in accordance with the terms and conditions of your grant and that all reporting requirements are met.

You can obtain a copy of the NHMRC Funding Agreement from the NHMRC website.

Accessing your funds

It is important that all appropriate approvals and clearances, together with an agreement with external collaborators where relevant, are in place.

RDS is the only source of authorisation for the release of research funds and this will only be given once RDS is satisfied that all internal and external requirements have been met.

Research financial management

The Grants Finance Office is responsible for the financial administration of all research grants, special purpose funds and consulting funds, including:

  • Establishing accounts
  • Loading budgets where applicable
  • Raising invoices for grant income
  • Authorising funding for staff appointments
  • Preparing financial statements
  • Assisting with policy/ procedure queries
  • Monitoring overdrawn accounts
  • Liaison with external funding bodies

For further information on any of the above or to obtain contact details please visit the Grants Finance Office website.

Flinders Budget Estimator Tool can be used as a means to help manage your awarded budget. For further information contact your College Research Support staff.

Reporting requirements

The reporting requirements for your individual project are outlined in the NHMRC Funding Agreement and funding rules. As the lead chief investigator (CIA), you are responsible for ensuring that the reporting requirements for your project are met. Failure to comply with the reporting requirements will impact your future eligibility for NHMRC funding.

Reporting requirements for your project may include:

  • Audited financial statements
  • Annual RGMS CV update as part of progress reporting requirements
  • Final report

Detailed information on how to prepare and submit financial, and meet reporting requirements is available on the NHMRC website. Please note that any financial reports must be submitted via the Grants Finance Office.

Variations

Over the duration of the project circumstances may change and it may become necessary for Chief Investigator A to request changes to the approved funding proposal. Researchers should not approach NHMRC for advice on how to manage variations but should contact the RAO (Flinders University) via nhmrc@flinders.edu.au in the first instance.

In the event that a variation is required, a Grantee Variation request must be submitted to NHMRC via RGMS. Requests must be submitted in advance, as retrospective requests are generally not approved.

NHMRC have developed a Grantee Variation policy to articulate NHMRC’s policy position on grantee variations.

Advice also been developed that details the factors that NHMRC will consider when deciding whether a grantee variation request is approved or declined under the Grantee Variations Policy. Please refer to: Advice when seeking NHMRC approval for a grantee variation.

This advice states that, except in Exceptional Circumstances:

  • the maximum deferral period for defer commencement dates is up to 12 calendar months from the original commencement date.
  • the maximum extend end date variation allowed for all schemes is up to 12 months via one or multiple extend grant duration requests.
  • and for family related reasons including the birth and care of children, the maximum defer/suspend in progress and extended leave request variation allowed for all schemes is up to 12 months per grant or Funding Period (see scheme specific Funding Rules for exceptions).
Transfers

Over the duration of a project circumstances may change which necessitate the transfer of the research grant to a different administering organisation, such as in the event that a researcher:

  • ceases to work at the University and seeks to transfer a research grant and/or equipment and materials obtained for the purpose of prosecuting the research to a new institution; or
  • receives grant funds administered by another institution or requests that grant funds or equipment be transferred from the University to another institution to support activities associated with the grant.

In the event that it is deemed necessary for a researcher to transfer a research grant to a different administering organisation, a Grantee Variation request will need to be submitted to NHMRC via the Research Grants Management System (RGMS). Researchers should not approach NHMRC for advice on how to manage variations but should contact the RAO (Flinders University) via nhmrc@flinders.edu.au in the first instance. Further information on the Grantee Variation process is available on the NHMRC website.

Need help?

Contact the Research Grants team if you need further advice.

08 8201 7972

nhmrc@flinders.edu.au

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