GO8295: Ideas Grants 2026

The objective of the Ideas Grant scheme is to support innovative research projects addressing specific question(s).

The expected outcomes are: • innovative and creative research • funding of researchers at all career stages • funding any area of health and medical research from discovery to implementation.

It is expected that the CIA will have the capability to lead the team in achieving the project aims.

Only applications that address the intended objective and outcomes will be competitive for funding.

The Ideas Grant scheme is not intended to support research where a clinical trial or cohort study is the primary objective, and applications meeting that description should be submitted to the Clinical Trial and Cohort Studies Grant scheme.

Where applications have elements consistent with both the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grant scheme and the Ideas Grant scheme, applicants should decide where the project is predominantly suited, based on the objectives and intended outcomes of the respective schemes and where the application would receive the most appropriate peer review.

Applicants should also anticipate a high level of interest in this grant opportunity, and it is expected to be highly competitive.

Applications, including the budgets, should be carefully scrutinised within the Administering Institution prior to submission to NHMRC to ensure that the application will have the best chance to be considered favourable during NHMRC peer review.

Applications will only be accepted from NHMRC Administering Institutions.

The Chief Investigator A (CIA) and Administering Institution must ensure all eligibility requirements are met.

The CIA at time of acceptance and for the duration of a grant must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or have an appropriate work visa in place, and must be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.

The maximum number of Chief Investigators on an Ideas Grant application is 10.

A maximum of 10 Associate Investigators can be entered in Sapphire.

CIs are expected to remain on the grant for the duration unless a variation is approved in exceptional circumstances.

Minimum data must be entered in Sapphire by the minimum data due date.

Applications must be certified by the CIA and then by the Administering Institution RAO and submitted via Sapphire by the closing date/time.

The CIA must have a valid ORCID iD in their Sapphire profile for the grant to commence.