National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Scholarships

The NHMRC offers scholarships to support outstanding health and medical graduates early in their career, so they can be trained to conduct research that is internationally competitive and develop a capacity for original independent research within Australia. This funding opportunity is only available to domestic graduate research students.

Stage 1: Applicants intending to apply for a NHMRC scholarship must meet the internal deadlines set by both NHMRC and Monash University. Minimum data must be entered in NHMRC’s granting system Sapphire by 8 May 2024. Note: Failure to meet this deadline will result in the application not proceeding.  

Stage 2: Applications must be submitted by the Monash closing date of 29 May 2024. The earlier closing date allows us time to check your application to ensure it is complete.

Applicants must

• be undertaking a higher degree by research (i.e. a PhD or a Research Masters degree); coursework degrees do not qualify as higher degrees by research 
• ensure a complete application is submitted, including supervisor report and other documents required to conduct a complete assessment of an application 
• not have previously received an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship 
• not be a recipient of an Australian Government funded stipend such as a Research Training Program (RTP) stipend at the time of application, during peer review, or for the duration of the grant, if accepted 
• not exceed 12 calendar months of full-time equivalent enrolment for a PhD degree, or six calendar months for a Research Masters degree, up to 31 December in the year of application 
• include a proposal for a research project based in Australia; elements of the project can be undertaken outside Australia (e.g. data gathering) but the CIA, supervisor and project must be all Australian-based and located at an Australian institution 
• apply under the Research Stream that their research proposal aligns with.  

See application details, eligibility, and more information about the NHMRC scholarships here. Applicants are required to read all relevant reference material available via GrantConnect prior to lodging an application.

Contact

Admissions Team, Monash Graduate Research Office | mgro-apply@monash.edu

NHMRC grant announcements

Several SCS staff were awarded National Health and Medical Research Council grants. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Investigator Grants

• Professor Stuart Hooper from our Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for his work on assisting infants transition at birth.
• Dr Gareth Gregory for his work on improving outcomes for patients with central nervous system lymphoma.
• Dr Jessica Biesiekierski for her work on changing the way diet is used in gut disorders.
• Associate Professor Daniel Lorber Rolnik for his work in preventing pre-eclampsia.

Ideas Grants

• Professor David Nikolic-Paterson for his work preventing hypoperfusion-induced acute kidney injury.
• Dr Shayanti Mukherjee for her work transforming treatment for pelvic organ prolapse with nanotechnology.

Pictured: L-R: Top row - Jessica Biesiekierski, Gareth Gregory, Stuart Hooper Bottom row - Shayanti Mukherjee, David Nikolic-Paterson, Daniel Lorber Rolnik

See here for a full list list of Investigator grants winners.

See here for a full list of Ideas grants winners.

Tools of the Trade

Prof Melissa Southey

Professor Melissa Southey is to receive $50,000 from NHMRC Equipment Grant funding to go towards purchasing a TubeWriter 400, which is a full-feature labelling system for printing on curved surfaces, including tubes, vials, slides, plates, and custom labware. The TubeWriter 400 is used in labs all over the world, including in police investigations.  

Dr Sarah Marshall

Dr Sarah Marshall is also to receive $50,000 from NHMRC Equipment Grant funding. Sarah will purchase a wire myograph, which is the gold standard in measuring the function of isolated blood vessels with high precision and sensitivity. The equipment is extremely versatile and allows for the investigation of endothelial and smooth muscle mediated constriction and relaxation. Sarah said, “I will use the myograph to investigate the vascular dysfunction underpinning common pregnancy disorders including preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and use it to assess potential therapeutics to protect and improve blood vessel function.”

Congratulations Melissa and Sarah. 

NHMRC 2023 Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) Grants – Now Open

The NHMRC CRE Grants scheme is now open for applications in Sapphire.

The objectives of the CRE grant scheme is:

• to improve health outcomes and promote or improve translation of research outcomes into policy and/or practice.
• The CRE scheme will also support researchers in capacity building activities, including in specific areas of need identified by NHMRC.

The expected outcomes are to:

• support the conduct and development of innovative, high quality, collaborative research
• promote effective translation of research into health policy and/or practice
• foster and build capacity in the health and medical research workforce
• provide opportunities to expand and improve collaborations between research teams.

Grant Guidelines and Grant Proposal Documents  - Available on GrantConnect  

Grant Guidelines and the Grant Proposal template are available on GrantConnect (GO5794). You will need to login to access the documents. Peer Review Guidelines will not be available before the scheme close.

MRO Submission Process Document - HERE

Minimum Data

NHMRC CRE Grants have a minimum data requirement.  Minimum data must be entered into Sapphire  by 17:00 AEST 16 November 2022.   Applications that fail to satisfy this requirement will not be accepted.   Minimum data for CRE Grants is comprised of:

• Application title
• Administering institution
• CRE Stream
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Research Focus (yes/no)
• Project synopsis
• NHMRC Privacy agreement (yes/no)
• Research Classification:
• Broad research area
• Field(s) of research
• Peer Review Areas
• Research keywords
• Chief Investigator A (CIA) (completed CIA Role, Name and Email)

The MRO will automatically begin checking applications to ensure they meet minimum data requirements in Sapphire from Wednesday 09 November 2022 and will contact you once this check has been completed. You do not need to contact us to request we check your minimum data.

 MRO Compliance & Eligibility Checking

 As required for submission, the MRO will be conducting eligibility and compliance checks of CRE Grant applications. The due date for a full draft to be provided to MRO (including Sapphire sections being completed with the Grant Proposal document) is 17 November 2022.  Only applications that meet the 17 November 2022 deadline will have a full check of the application.

 Key Dates

•  Applications open in Sapphire: 19 October 2022
•  Minimum data close: 17:00 AEDT 16 November 2022
•  MRO Compliance Check close: 17 November 2022* (for a full eligibility and compliance check)  
•  CI Certification of Finalised application: 10AM 28 November 2022
•  NHMRC external deadline: 17:00 AEDT 30 November 2022

Research Development Support

The Research Development Team may be available to review key sections of CRE grants, to provide a generalist review of the Knowledge Gain section (prioritising the first page and aspects of scheme fit), and to consider impact sections for key personnel. 

If you'd like to participate, please contact mro.researchdevelopment@monash.edu for a discussion ahead of the minimum data deadline.

 Please contact the MRO Applications team if you have any questions.

NHMRC Ideas Grants MNHS Webinar (31 March 2021)

Please join in for a webinar on NHMRC Ideas Grants, hosted by Prof Mike Ryan (Deputy Dean Research & Research Infrastructure).  The webinar will include discussion with Ideas Grant award holders and reviewers, Dr Anne Fletcher (Biomedicine Discovery Institute) and A/Prof Menno van Zelm (Central Clinical School).

Date: Wednesday 31 March 2021

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Venue: Via Zoom only

Please register here to receive the Zoom link.  The webinar will be recorded and placed on the MNHS Ideas Grant workshops page for those who are unable to join us.  

If you are currently working on an application, please note that the MNHS Ideas Grant Exemplar Application Library is a useful resource to help you see examples of previous success.  

Please direct any questions about the webinar or exemplar application library to the Faculty Research Office (medicine.research@monash.edu).

 

 

 

2021 NHMRC Synergy Grant Applications

Applications have opened for the 2021 NHMRC Synergy Grant call.

The objective of the Synergy Grant scheme is:

• to support outstanding multidisciplinary teams of investigators to work together to answer major questions that cannot be answered by a single investigator.

The intended outcomes of the Synergy Grant scheme are:

• multidisciplinary research that addresses major problems in all areas of human health and medical research, from discovery to translation
• highly collaborative teams of diverse researchers including by gender, career stage and cultural background, working together to address major problems in human health.

Critical Dates:

Applications Open: 24 February 2021

Minimum Data Due Date: 24 March 2021 in Sapphire

MRO Compliance Date Close: 31 March 2021* (via Pure)

CIA Certification in Sapphire: Midday 19 April 2021

NHMRC External Deadline: 17:00 AEST on 21 April 2021

The MRO will begin checking applications to ensure they meet minimum data requirements in RGMS from Wednesday 17th March 2021 and will contact you if there are missing sections. 

NHMRC Ideas Grants 2021 - APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The NHMRC 2021 Ideas Grant scheme is now open for Applications.

FUNDER

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NHMRC – Ideas Grants

BRIEF DETAILS

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

·  innovative and creative research,

·  funding of researchers at all career stages, and 

·  funding any area of health and medical research from discovery to implementation.

KEY DATES

ACTION	DATE
Release of Guidelines & Scheme Opening (via Grant Connect)	10 March 2021
Minimum Data Due in Sapphire	7 April 2021 (by 17:00 AEST)
Submission to MRO for Eligibility Checking (via Pure pre-approval)	7 April 2021*
CI Certification of Finalised Application	30 April 2021
Full Submission to Funder (via Sapphire)	5 May 2021 (by 17:00 AEST by MRO)

 *Only applications that meet the 7 April 2021 MRO eligibility check deadline can be guaranteed a full eligibility check of the application.

LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about this call including the application form and scheme guidelines can be found on Grant Connect (GO4705) at: https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/ViewDocuments?GoUuid=c0d4f1e4-c10c-405c-ace5-9416d06aa1d3 (you will need to register and/or login to access the documents).

If you have any further questions please contact mro-applications@monash.edu for any queries about this funding opportunity.

 

NHMRC Investigator Grants: MNHS Top 5 Publications Review Initiative

The Faculty Research Office is offering reviews of your Top 5 publications in your Investigator Grant application.  This review is open to all MNHS applicants.

Applicants who participate in this initiative will receive two anonymous reviews of the Top 5 publications section of their application.  Two reviews will take place:

1) One anonymous review will be conducted by members of the Faculty Review Academy, an esteemed cohort of MNHS researchers with extensive NHMRC experience as Fellows and/or reviewers.  
2) A second anonymous peer review by a fellow applicant.  

In order to receive a review, you must conduct a peer review as well.  You will not receive your reviews until you have submitted your peer review.  Reviewers and applicants will be matched by broad research area.  Detailed instructions will be provided to peer reviewers.  It is not necessary to have any reviewer experience to participate.  

Reviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.  Applicants can request a review any time before 8 March by filling in this form.  They will receive their review 7-14 days after the request is made. Full instructions can be found in the form.  

Please note, our Investigator Grants: Publications webinars and slides are available online to help you get started.  You can also look at examples of success in our Investigator Grant Exemplar Application Library.

If you have any questions about this initiative, please email the Faculty Research Office  (medicine.research@monash.edu).

NHMRC Synergy Grants MRO Application Reviews

 

The MRO's Research Development Team will be supporting the 2021 round of NHMRC Synergy Grants applications. 

The objective of the Synergy Grants scheme is to support outstanding multidisciplinary teams of investigators to work together to answer major questions that cannot be answered by a single investigator. Just 10 grants are awarded, each valued at $5M (total, over 5 years). 

The Research Development Team reviewed all Monash submitted 2019 Synergy applications (n= 9; 5 @ Stage 2; 3 awarded) and is available to discuss trends, and effective strategies to strengthen your application.

MRO Reviews

The Research Development Team will be conducting reviews of the Synergy section, and will provide a generalist review of the Knowledge Gain section (prioritising the first page and aspects of scheme fit). Unfortunately they don't have capacity to review the individual track record responses.  

If you would like to participate, please request a review here by 10 March 2021. 

Reviews will begin on 17 March 2021. 

Please contact mro.researchdevelopment@monash.edu for more information on reviews and support.

Further information on the Synergy Grants opportunity will be distributed after scheme open (anticipated 24 February 2021).

 

Confirmation of NHMRC’s 2021 Grant Program Dates

On Tuesday 4 August 2020, NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso advised the research sector via a Communique that NHMRC has adjusted scheme dates for the 2021 grant program, in consultation with Research Committee, in response to COVID 19 and that exact dates would be finalised later in the year.

Following further consultation with Research Administration Offices and the Australian Research Council, NHMRC are now able to confirm the following dates for the 2021 Grant Program.

Researchers are strongly encouraged to start planning their applications early. This includes new users registering for a SAPPHIRE account well in advance of the opening dates to update their profile and become familiar with the system. Information on how to do this is available from the Sapphire landing page or on the Sapphire Internet Page.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Julie Brimblecombe on her recent NHMRC grant success

A/Prof Julie Brimblecombe

Congratulations to Associate Professor Julie Brimblecombe, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food,  on receiving a NHMRC grant of $1,508,144 for her research, "Evaluation of a community-led nutrition and lifestyle program for weight loss and metabolic health: a randomised controlled trial".

NHMRC & MRFF Investigator Grant success for SCS

NHMRC Investigator grants were announced yesterday 20 May 2020 by Federal Health Minister, The Honourable Greg Hunt MP.  Congratulations to the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) NHMRC & MRFF Investigator grant recipients! See more about the SCS projects, below. SCS has received over $7.5m across the period 2021-2025.

NHMRC Ideas Grants Minimum Data Due 5pm THIS FRIDAY 15 May

MRO are in the process of checking Ideas Grant applications already in Sapphire to ensure they meet minimum compliance data requirements.  If you haven't already, you will receive confirmation of your application's status shortly with guidance on whether any required sections are missing.

2020 Investigator Grants: NHMRC and MRFF Priority Round Outcomes

The following information has been sent from the NHMRC to the MRO regarding the 2020 Investigator Grant Priorty Round Outcomes. All applicants are reminded that strict embargo remains until after the grants have been announced.

NHMRC Capping Rules - Investigator Grants & Ideas Grants

If you submitted an NHMRC Investigator Grant application to the 2020 round (submitted November 2019), you are only able to apply for one Ideas Grant this year. This is because there are capping rules which apply to the number of applications you are able to submit in a single round. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on COVID-19 outbreak and NHMRC processes

NHMRC has released FAQs on the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on applications for NHMRC funding, peer review, grant management and other NHMRC processes. Details are available on NHMRC’s Website.

NHMRC Ideas Grant - Extra Support from MRO development Team

A select number of reviews will be available, with the review process divided into two streams to accommodate Basic Science (2 weeks from the 22nd April), and Clinical Medicine and Science, Health Services Research, and Public Health (1 week from May 6).

MRFF Antiviral Development for COVID-19 - Assessors requested

NHMRC is looking for research and industry experts to assess MRFF 2020 Antiviral Development for COVID-19 grant opportunity applications – Log your expertise on NHMRCs online portal.

2020 Synergy Grant Scheme – Cancelled - Please export NHMRC Synergy Grant data from Sapphire before 6 April 2020

In light of the unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 Synergy Grant scheme, please see below communications just in from the NHMRC encouraging grant applicants to export their application data from Sapphire before 6 April 2020. Beyond this date application data will no longer be accessible through the Sapphire system. For questions, please contact mhs@monash.edu.

NHMRC Update: Synergy Grants Minimum Data Date Extended

The NHRMC have advised that the minimum data date has now be extended beyond the original date of 25 March 20, due to the impact of COVID-19.