GO8372: MRFF – Indigenous Health Research Fund – 2026 Empowering Community-Controlled Research Grant Opportunity

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Indigenous Health Research Fund aims to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through: Indigenous-led research practice and governance knowledge translation evidence-based structural change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice building on the unique knowledge, strengths and endurance of our communities, with particular reference to Country, culture and spirituality The objective of this grant opportunity is to provide a grant of financial assistance to an organisation or consortium to run an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled program to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander led health and medical research projects.

The successful applicant is required to undertake a review, develop a Strategic Priorities Investment Plan and partner with and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical research projects and researchers.

This grant opportunity is being administered by NHMRC on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Further information on the Medical Research Future Fund is available from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's website.

A list of Eligible Organisations can be found on the NHMRC List of MRFF Eligible Organisations webpage.

The applying lead organisation must be an MRFF Eligible Organisation approved by NHMRC.

Joint applications are encouraged where there is an eligible lead organisation.

The application must request exactly $28.55 million and may seek a maximum grant period of seven years.

The Chief Investigator A (CIA) must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, generally must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident at application submission, and must be based in Australia for the duration of the grant except for reasonable eligible overseas travel.

If the CIA is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, they must have the required work visa when accepting the grant.

At least 50% of the Chief Investigator team must comprise Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, the team must include a mix of career stages, and a maximum of 50 Chief Investigators may be named.

Each person may be named as a Chief Investigator on only one application.

The proposed program must have a national approach, incorporate Community-Control and genuine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, and address the grant opportunity objective and intended outcome.