Research support

NHMRC Investigator Grants

  1. Home
  2. Resources and support
  3. Research office
  4. Research grants
  5. Funding schemes
  6. National Health and Medical Research Council

Key dates for 2026 NHMRC Investigator Grants (for funding commencing in 2027) 

  • NHMRC round opening: 4 June 2025
  • UQ R&I Information Session: TBD
  • UQ R&I Notice of Intent close: TBD
  • Minimum data requirements in Sapphire: 2 July 2025
  • Applications due to UQ R&I: TBD
  • Applications close with NHMRC: 5PM AEST, 30 July 2025
  • Anticipated notification of outcomes: TBD

Outcomes for the 2025 NHMRC Investigator Grant round are available on the NHMRC website.

Overview

The objective of the Investigator Grant scheme is to support the research program of outstanding investigators at all career stages. It builds the capacity of Australian research for the future and creates knowledge through investment in research which improves health and thus contributes to Australia’s prosperity. An Investigator Grant offers a consolidated five-year funding package that includes salary (if required) and research support package (RSP). The scheme comprises two categories - Emerging Leadership (EL) and Leadership (L).

UQ R&I Information session 

To assist UQ researchers preparing applications, the Research Office will hold an information session discussing key aspects of the scheme and application components, with an opportunity for Q&A with an expert panel. Session recording and slides will be made available on the Presentations and Slides page. 

Details to be annouced

How to apply

Step 1. Submit an internal Notice of Intent (NOI)

All researchers intending to submit an NHMRC 2026 Investigator Grant (for funding in 2027) are required to submit an internal Notice of Intent (NOI). NOIs will be collated centrally and distributed to Faculties and Institutes in order to provide maximum support to the UQ research community.

Submit UQ Notice of Intent

Step 2. Sapphire updates and scheme reading

  • Familiarise yourself with the key National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), External Funding Organisations and UQ documentation.
  • Applications are submitted via Sapphire. 
    • If you already have a Sapphire account, log into Sapphire and review / update your profile.
    • If you do not have a Sapphire account, please register for Sapphire. Note that requests for Sapphire accounts / activations are not instantaneous, so we recommend you register as soon as possible.
  • Create an application in Sapphire. 

Step 3. Completing the application

  • Log into Sapphire and complete the application sections.
  • Upload all relevant attachments.

Step 4. Notify UQ R&I that your application is ready for internal review

    • Ahead of internal review, ensure all online components are complete/valid and generate your proposal snapshots in Sapphire.
    • Certify your application to RAO in Sapphire. To do this, select 'Certification' from the left-hand menu within the application and follow the steps to submit the application to the Research Office. Application errors will be signalled and can be corrected at this stage.
    • To initiate internal review, email your completed Funding Application Certification Form, Pending and Newly Funded Grants Form, word document of your Grant Proposal, and evidence of PhD pass date to UQ R&I at nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au.
    • UQ R&I will review your application in accordance with your NOI (eligibility and compliance +/- grantscraft) and provide feedback.

    Step 5. Final submission

    • Certify your application to RAO in Sapphire.
    • With your approval, UQ R&I will submit your application to the NHMRC.

     

    Readership and researcher support

    Before applying, we recommend you:

    Key documents

    Please note: The resources below are for the 2025 round which is now closed. They are provided here for reference only and will be updated for the 2026 round in due course.

    NHMRC

      The NHMRC grant guidelines and the full suite of NHMRC documents are available from GrantConnect (GO7020) the Australian Government grants information system (login required).

      UQ

      Templates

      Other resources

      A range of resources and workshops from the UQ library are also available to assist researchers applying for this scheme

       

      Contact UQ R&I

      Scheme and Sapphire queries

      Round coordinators
      Pre-Award Health team

      If you are applying through UQ but are not a current UQ staff member, please contact the round team above so that you can be added to a mailing list for updates.