GO7982: MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure

The 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative invests in research infrastructure to ensure Australian researchers find innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need.

This grant opportunity has four streams.

Stream 1 - Innovation enablers Address an area of unmet medical need by promoting the development and implementation of new research infrastructure by supporting development and/or expansion of research enablers such as biobanks, tissue repositories, novel platforms, and secure health data environments to create valuable research resources.

Stream 3 - Co-investment partnerships Utilise co-investment (cash only) with the research sector, state and/or territory governments, and industry, in significant critical research infrastructure (e.g. facilities, personnel and equipment): to support development of research capacity, capability and/or effectiveness in an area of unmet medical need, or to enable Australian research using new platforms, systems and services in an area of unmet medical need.

Stream 4 - mRNA technology enablers Leverage and enhance emerging mRNA technologies, platforms, and/or equipment to accelerate development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics in an area of unmet medical need.

An application may only be submitted to one of the above four streams.

Applicants must specify the stream to which they are applying in their application.

Applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN), be incorporated in Australia and, in accordance with s24 of the MRFF Act 2015, be one of: a medical research institute, a university, a corporate Commonwealth entity, or a corporation (including businesses and not-for-profits).

All members of the research team must be listed as Chief Investigators and a Chief Investigator A must be nominated.

Up to 15 Chief Investigators are permitted; exceeding 15 renders the application ineligible.

A person must not be named as a CI on more than one application submitted to a Stream.

Applications must include evidence of board (or CEO/equivalent) support that the project is supported and that the organisation can complete the project and cover costs not funded by the grant, and letters of support from each project partner where applicable.

Stream 3 applicants must apply as a consortium including at least one academic organisation and at least one other organisation (industry or state/territory government) and must provide written confirmation of combined cash contributions of at least 34% of total eligible project costs.