Supporting Indigenous-led medical research through culturally safe care for mothers and their babies

Provides grants to support Indigenous-led Australian medical research projects that translate existing knowledge through culturally safe care for pregnancy, birthing and the post-natal period, including on-country birthing and continuity of family and midwifery care.

Funding is available as larger Accelerator grants or smaller Innovation grants for feasibility work.

To be eligible you must have an Australian business number (ABN) and be incorporated in Australia.

You must also be in accordance with s24 of the MRFF Act 2015, and be one of the following entities: a medical research institute, a university, a corporate Commonwealth entity, or a corporation (including businesses and not for profits).

When applying, the grant amount will be up to 100% of eligible project costs.

The minimum grant amount is $2 million and the maximum grant amount is $5 million.

Joint applications are encouraged with a lead organisation.

All members of the research team must be listed on the application form as Chief Investigators (CIs) and applicants must nominate a Chief Investigator A (CIA) to lead and report on the project.

Applicants must provide evidence from their board (or CEO or equivalent if there is no board) that the project is supported and that they can complete the project and meet costs not covered by grant funding, and letters of support from each project partner where applicable.

Projects must be completed within a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years from the date of execution.

Innovation grants may be considered for applications that do not receive an Accelerator grant and that are either led by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher (Chief Investigator A) or have research teams that comprise at least 50% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers.

Innovation grant recipients receive $200,000 and must complete their project within 12 months from the date of execution.