GO8600: Targeted Call for Research: Strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Pipeline 2026

A Targeted Call for Research (TCR) is a one-time request for grant applications designed to stimulate research in a particular area that will benefit the health of Australians or address a specific health issue.

A strong, culturally safe and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce is widely recognised as an enabler of health equity, building stronger community engagement while improving access to health services and developing sustainable culturally responsive models of care.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals therefore play a vital role in improving trust in healthcare services, leading to better continuity of care that integrates community leadership and ultimately ensuring health systems are responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The objectives of TCR: Strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Pipeline to Improve Health Equity 2026 are: • To improve understanding of the enablers and barriers influencing attraction, education, recruitment, retention, career progression and leadership across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce pipeline, including diverse and non-linear workforce pathways. • To evaluate the effectiveness, sustainability and cultural responsiveness of existing workforce development initiatives, models and strategies including contextual conditions that support their success. • To strengthen research and evaluation capability in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce through meaningful participation, training and leadership opportunities. • To develop practical and culturally responsive tools, frameworks and measures to support workforce evaluation, planning and continuous improvement. • To generate evidence-based recommendations that support scalable, gender-balanced workforce development approaches and long-term improvements in health equity.

Applications are only accepted from NHMRC Administering Institutions.

The Chief Investigator A (CIA) must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and, at the time of grant acceptance and throughout the grant, must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or hold an appropriate work visa.

The CIA must be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.

A maximum of 10 Chief Investigators and 10 Associate Investigators may be named.

The role and contribution of each CI must be described, and PhD students may be named as CIs where they are critical to completing the proposed research.

Applicants may only apply as CIA on one application and may not be listed in the CI team on more than two applications.

Applications must meet all eligibility, content, formatting, minimum-data, certification and submission requirements.