GO8645: MRFF – Clinical Trials Activity Initiative – 2026 Clinical Trials Activity Grant Opportunity

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Clinical Trials Activity Initiative aims to: improve the evidence base supporting clinical care help patients access trials relevant to their health circumstances 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: Stream 1 (Incubator): conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility of a new clinical trial for one or more treatments and/or management strategies for a rare cancer, rare disease and/or unmet need.

Stream 2 (Targeted Call for Research): conduct a clinical trial of one or more treatments and/or management-based interventions for rare cancers, rare diseases and/or unmet need Stream 3 (Targeted Call for Research): conduct a clinical trial that supports the delivery of effective and high value care by targeting evidence gaps of value to health technology assessment processes in Australia.

Stream 4 (Targeted Call for Research): conduct a prevention clinical trial aimed at reducing the risk, onset or progression of disease through early intervention strategies The intended outcome of the research funded by this grant opportunity 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 research that addresses one of the four Streams of research.

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 Eligiblie Organisations webpage.

The applying organisation must be an MRFF Eligible Organisation approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Joint applications are permitted where there is an eligible lead organisation that is the main driver of the project.

Applications must address one of the four specified Streams, with only one Stream selected per application, and must satisfy all eligibility requirements, including eligible expenditure requirements.

Applicants must nominate a Chief Investigator A (CIA) to lead the application, research and reporting.

Up to 15 Chief Investigators may be included, and a person may be a Chief Investigator on no more than one application per Stream.

The CIA must generally be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident at application submission; otherwise, they must hold the requisite work visa when accepting the grant.

The CIA must be based in Australia for the grant duration other than reasonable eligible overseas travel.

Minimum data must be entered in Sapphire by 2027-03-10, and the completed application must be certified and submitted by the Research Administration Officer of an approved MRFF Eligible Organisation by 2027-04-07.