Centres of Research Excellence (CRE)

Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) scheme supports collaborative research teams to improve health outcomes and promote or improve translation of research outcomes into policy and/or practice.

The CRE scheme also supports researchers in capacity building activities, including in specific areas of need identified by NHMRC.

Key scheme information:

Funds a limited number of grants across specified streams including:
- Basic Science Research, Clinical Research, Health Services Research, and Public Health Research
Fixed funding amount of $3,000,000 and duration for five years

Back to:

National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Grants and Tenders

Eligibility

Research teams of all career stages, including early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs), may apply.
At the time of acceptance and for the duration of a grant the Chief Investigator 'A' (CIA) must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia or have an appropriate work visa in place. The CIA must also be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
Up to 10 Chief Investigators (CIs) and 10 Associate Investigators (AIs) can be named on the application.
The role and contribution of each Chief Investigator (CI) must be described in the grant application. PhD students may be named as CIs where the PhD student is critical for the successful completion of the proposed research.
Duplicate applications should not be submitted across multiple CRE streams. Applicants must choose which CRE stream best fits their research proposal based on the guidelines. Duplicate applications may be ineligible and excluded from consideration.
There is no limit to the number of CRE grants that a CI may hold concurrently. Time allocated by the CIs must be sufficient to ensure the viability of the CRE and will be considered in the peer review process as part of the feasibility of the proposed research.
Additional stream-specific eligibility may apply (refer to the grant opportunity guidelines for eligibility requirements).

Application timeline

Specific dates are published on ResearchLink or the NHMRC calendar.

	Milestone	What is required
8 weeks before deadline	Applications open in Sapphire	Applicant to start Sapphire application. Notify nhmrc@flinders.edu.au that they are applying. Engage College-based Research Development and Support (RDS) as needed.
4 weeks before deadline	Minimum Data in Sapphire	Applicant must have lodged minimum data in the Sapphire system to continue with their application.
4 weeks before deadline	Compliance review deadline for RDS	Submit your application to Sapphire and the NHMRC grants team in RDS will check your eligibility and review application components against the grant guidelines for compliance.
2 weeks before deadline	Completed application in Sapphire	A completed application must be lodged in Sapphire so that the NHMRC grants team can make final checks and submit.
2 days before deadline	Sapphire certification deadline	Applicant must certify the application in Sapphire to submit their application to NHMRC.
Deadline for submission 4:30pm	Applications close in Sapphire	All applications will be submitted in Sapphire by the NHMRC grants (RAOs) team before the NHMRC deadline.

Application process

Before applications open

Discuss your plans to apply for a CRE with your College Research Support team and notify the RDS NHMRC grants team to ensure that you receive information about upcoming rounds, grant development and review.
Attend Researcher Training and Development information sessions run throughout the year (see information about upcoming sessions and recordings of previous sessions here).
Register on GrantConnect to obtain all of the NHMRC documents and updates.
Create or update your NHMRC Sapphire account, including your "my profile" data for application submission.

When applications open

Review your eligibility to apply/hold a CRE using the most recent grant guidelines.
Begin your NHMRC CRE application in Sapphire and complete minimum data prior to the deadline.
Submit a ResearchNow application to obtain College approval for the submission of your application.
Discuss any support for internal or external quality or scientific review with your College Research Support team.
Meet the RDS internal review deadlines to ensure that your application satisfies the NHMRC eligibility requirements and to ensure that you have time to consider compliance reviews and incorporate feedback.
The RDS NHMRC grants team submits your application on behalf of the University to the NHMRC through Sapphire.