Research support

Applying to the MRFF

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About the MRFF

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is a $24.83 billion long-term investment supporting Australian health and medical research. The MRFF aims to transform health and medical research and innovation to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to health system sustainability.

More information about what the MRFF is, how its funding works, who manages it and how it is helping Australians to have a healthier future can be found on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website.

MRFF applications and grants are administered through two government entities, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Business Grants Hubs (BGH).

Applying through NHMRC vs BGH

Most grant opportunities for MRFF funding are administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), but a select few are administered through the Business Grants Hub (BGH) managed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR).

This below table summarises the main differences you should be aware of when developing your application to opportunities managed by one administering entity or the other.

 

NHMRC

BGH

Application portal

Sapphire

BGH grants portal

Minimum data

Yes

No

RAO endorsement in portal required for submission?

Yes

No

(Usual UQ Research Office approvals apply)

Application components

Portal inputs

Attachments (few)

Portal inputs

Attachments (many)

Organisation roles

Administering organisation

Participating Institution

Partner organisation

Lead organisation

Partner organisation

Notes:

‘Partner organisation’ is not a term formally defined by the NHMRC or the BGH but refers to any organisation which is partnering with other organisations to deliver the project. It therefore includes the admin / lead organisation and, in the case of NHMRC applications, the Participating Institutions.

Team member roles

Chief Investigators (CI)

Associate Investigators (AI)

Chief Investigators (CI)

Notes:

There is no Associate Investigator (AI) role on BGH applications. See the MRFF-BGH application guide (below) for important advice about your research team.

Attachments [1]

Mandatory attachments are marked *

Grant proposal*
Letter(s) of support [2]
Third-party research facility letter(s)

Project plan*
Letter(s) of support* [2]
List of Chief Investigators*
Detailed project budget*
Measures of success statement*
Detailed risk management plan*
Details of IP arrangements*
Trust deed

Notes:

[1] Much of the content which is provided in separate attachments to BGH applications is captured elsewhere (portal, grant proposal) in the NHMRC applications.

[2] See Letter of Support guide below for an explanation of the different approaches of the NHMRC and BGH to letters of support.

NHMRC

BGH