GO8232: MRFF – Clinical Trials Activity Initiative – 2026 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Clinical Trials Activity Initiative (the Initiative) aims to increase clinical trial activity in Australia in order to improve the evidence base supporting clinical care and to help patients access trials relevant to their health circumstances and enable researchers to bring international trials to Australian patients.

The objective of this grant opportunity is to provide grants of financial assistance to support medical research and medical innovation projects that: Promote Australian involvement in international collaborative investigator-initiated clinical trials research through the establishment and co-ordination of clinical trial site/s in Australia.

Provide high-quality evidence of the effectiveness of novel health treatments, drugs or devices in ‘usual care’ settings, which will support a decision on whether to deliver the intervention in an Australian setting.

The intended outcome of the research is to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians by investing in new clinical trials that support increased access to high-quality, evidence-based and effective health care.

Applicants to this grant opportunity must propose a clinical trial in Australia in collaboration with international counterparts.

The clinical trial should not have commenced recruitment at the Australian trial site/s.

Please note the 2026 MRFF International Clinical Trial Collaborations grant opportunity will be open for one round only.

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 lead organisation submitting the application must be an MRFF Eligible Organisation approved by NHMRC.

Joint (consortia) applications are allowed but must have a single eligible lead organisation.

Applicants must nominate a Chief Investigator A (CIA) who leads the application; a person must not be named as a Chief Investigator on more than one application to this grant opportunity.

Up to 15 Chief Investigators may be included.

The CIA is generally required to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at application submission; if not, the CIA must have the requisite work visa in place at the time of accepting the grant and must be based in Australia for the duration of the grant (excluding reasonable overseas travel).

Applications must propose a clinical trial in Australia in collaboration with international partners; Australian trial recruitment must not have commenced at the Australian site(s).

Applications must meet minimum data entry and formatting requirements and be certified and submitted by the Research Administration Officer of an approved MRFF Eligible Organisation by the advertised closing date and time.