NHMRC Joint International Calls
The NHMRC International Engagement Strategy encourages joint research collaborations with its international partners. These partnerships include the e-Asia Joint Research Program and the Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance, among others. Not all schemes are offered annually.
In many cases these schemes require application to both the NHMRC and the international agency, and in some cases the NHMRC will only allow applications where there has already been a successful outcome with the international agency, so it is important that interested researchers read the scheme guidelines carefully.
Joint International Calls and How to Apply
Click on the following headings to view key dates and call specific documentation
2026 NHMRC-Swiss National Science Foundation
Key dates
- Opening date: 18 March 2026
- Notification of Intent (NOI) required by: 28 May 2026
- Minimum data due in Sapphire: 17:00 AEST 28 May 2026
- Application due to UQ R&I: 3 June 2026
- Application closing date:
- SNSF: 17:00 CEST 17 June 2026 (1:00 AEST 18 June 2026)
- NHMRC: 17:00 AEST 18 June 2026
- Anticipated peer review period: August-November 2026
- Anticipated notification of outcomes: March 2027
- Anticipated grant start date: 1 May 2027
Notification of Intent
All UQ researchers intending to apply to this funding opportunity must notify the UQ Research Office of their intent by 28 May 2026.
Overview
This joint NHMRC – Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) call invites research proposals addressing key challenges related to the use of AI in healthcare for populations of diverse sex, gender, sexual orientations or other underrepresented population groups of relevance to both countries.
Proposals must develop effective and innovative solutions and approaches to mitigate biases in the use of AI in healthcare for underrepresented population groups by enhancing the diversity of training datasets, establishing comprehensive evaluation mechanisms, developing inclusive data governance structures and policies, and creating protocols that help clinicians and patients to understand AI decisions for healthcare in a culturally informed way.
In addition, the developed healthcare solutions must show that they are effective as well as equitable in their development, deployment and impact particularly for populations of diverse sex, gender, sexual orientations or other underrepresented population groups.
These populations may include, but are not limited to:
- people with diverse sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation
- people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- people with mental health conditions
- people in low socioeconomic groups
- people with disability
- people living in rural, regional and remote areas.
Applicants are required to justify how their target population is considered underrepresented in the context of this funding opportunity.
Possible topics include but are not limited to:
- AI for medical decision support for diagnosis and treatment planning, with a focus of underrepresented population groups
- Addressing bias in medical training data
- Enhancing trust and trustworthiness in AI-based decision support
- Interpretability of AI applications in gender medicine
The following topics are excluded:
- Theoretical AI approaches that do not tackle any relevant problem of gender medicine or for underrepresented population groups
- AI not including any underrepresented population groups or data bias
- Studies focusing on underrepresented population groups that are only relevant in Australia or Switzerland.
Proposals should describe ambitious research and propose innovative approaches. The research is to be carried out at the research facilities involved; reciprocal visits and short stays in Switzerland for researchers from Australia and vice versa are also possible within the scope of a JRP.
Funding Available
The provisional funding allocation for Australia is up to $5 million. Funding will not exceed $500,000 per grant from the NHMRC.
The total budget available in Switzerland is CHF 4 million. Funding will not exceed CHF 400,000 per grant from the SNSF.
A 2026 NHMRC-SNSF grant is awarded for a fixed 4-year term.
Eligibility
Chief Investigators (CIA-CIJ) can submit a maximum of one 2026 NHMRC-SNSF application in this grant opportunity. If any CI (CIA to CIJ) submits a 2026 NHMRC-SNSF application(s) in excess of the maximum they are eligible to apply for, the last submitted application (the ‘breaching application’) may be ineligible and excluded from consideration.
At the time of acceptance and for the duration of a grant the CIA must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or have an appropriate work visa in place. The CIA must also be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
PhD students may be named as CIs where the PhD student is critical for the successful completion of the proposed research.
How to Apply
Applicants must jointly prepare and submit aligned applications to the NHMRC (Sapphire) and the SNSF (SNSF Portal).
Applicants should note that there are different deadlines for each submission, with the Swiss deadline falling earlier than the Australian deadline:
- SNSF application due: 17:00 CEST on 17 June 2026, which is 1:00 AEST on 18 June 2026.
- NHMRC application due: 17:00 AEST on 18 June 2026.
Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to prepare their applications to meet the Swiss deadline. The research proposal as submitted to the SNSF must be submitted as part of the NHMRC application and the budgets must match.
All Australia-based research team members must register for an SNSF Portal account.
The Australia-based CIA must be listed on the SNSF Joint Research Project (JRP) proposal as Applicant. In the SNSF Portal, the CIA must also be selected as the contact person in Australia.
The Swiss-based Applicant on the JRP must be listed as the CIB in the application to the NHMRC. Please ensure the Swiss-based Applicant has registered for a Sapphire account (this can take up to 3 business days to be approved).
Other Australia-based researchers named on the SNSF JRP application may be listed as CIs (CIC-CIJ) or Associate Investigators (AIs) in the application to the NHMRC.
Other Australia-based researchers may be listed on the SNSF JRP proposal as Applicants (for Chief Investigators) and Project Partners (for Associate Investigators).
Key documents
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Information about the Australian-Swiss Joint Research Programme, including links to the current call and relevant documentation, is available on the SNSF website.
NHMRC
NHMRC Guidelines can be downloaded from GrantConnect (GO8311).
UQ
Additional Information
If you have questions about this call, please contact the UQ Research Office (nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au).
2026 NHMRC European Partnership Brain Health
Key Dates
- UQ R&I Notice of Intent due: 24 February 2026
- Preproposals due to UQ R&I for review: 24 February 2026
- Preproposals (to be submitted by the consortium coordinator via the application portal) due to the EP-Brain secretariat: 11pm Tuesday 10 March, local Brisbane Time (2pm Berlin Time)
- Successful applicants are invited to submit a full application: May 2026
- UQ internal review closing date for full applications: 16 June 2026
- Full Proposals (invitation only - to submitted by the consortium coordinator via the application portal) due to EP Brain secretariat: 10pm Tuesday 30 June, local Brisbane Time (2pm Berlin Time)
- Applications close in Sapphire: 17.00 ACT local time 1 July 2026
Overview
The European Partnership for Brain Health (EP-Brain Health) invites preapplications for projects to combine a holistic approach to brain health with in-depth biological understanding. The aim of the call is to facilitate multinational, collaborative and interdisciplinary research that addresses critical translational questions.
The call will be conducted simultaneously by the respective national and regional funding organisations and coordinated centrally by the Joint Call Secretariat.
Funding is available up to $500,000 for projects up to 3 years.
Topic Calls
EP-Brain Health and the NHMRC are inviting applications under two separate topic calls:
- Call One: Biological, social and environmental factors that impact the trajectory of brain health across the lifespan – in the field of neurological, mental and sensory disorders
- Call Two: Biological, social and environmental factors that impact the trajectory of brain health across the lifespan – in the field of neurodegenerative disorders
Each call has a two-stage application process and only successful preproposals will be invited to submit full proposals. Please note that applying with the same proposal to both EP Brain Health calls is not allowed.
Eligibility
The CIA must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or have an appropriate work visa in place. The CIA must also be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
Application must include a minimum of three and maximum of 6 consortium partners from eligible countries
Consortia must involve a minimum of three research partners eligible for funding by organisations listed in the EP Brain Health Call Text for the relevant call (see call text linked below).
Eligible researcher partners must be from at least 3 different participating countries.
The total number of research partners in a consortium is limited to 6, including partners participating with their own expenses.
No more than three research partners can be from the same country.
UQ Notice of Intent
All researchers intending to submit an application for the NHMRC-EP Brain Health Joint Call are required to submit a mandatory internal UQ Notice of Intent (NOI) using the link below no later than 5pm on 24 February 2026.
Key Resources and Documents
Templates
- Call 1 - Preproposal template
- Call 1 - Guidelines/Call text
- Call 1 - National Annexes
- Call 2 - Preproposal Template
- Call 2 - Guidelines/Call text
- Call 2 - National Annexes
UQ Forms
Applications must meet the requirements set out in both the Call Guidelines and the NHMRC Guidelines.
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Any questions regarding this scheme can be directed to the Pre-Award team at international@research.uq.edu.au
2026 NHMRC Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) scheme
Key Dates
- GACD application portal opens: 2 March 2026
- Applicants briefing webinars: 24 March 2026
- UQ Notice of Intent due: 3 June 2026
- Applications due to the Research Office: 3 June 2026
- Stage 1 application closed in the GACD application portal: 17 June 2026
- Applicants notified of Stage 1 outcomes by GACD and provided reviewer feedback: September 2026 (Only shortlisted Stage 1 applicants will be invited to submit to Stage 2.)
- Stage 2 NHMRC applications (by invitation only) opens in Sapphire: 16 September 2026
- Stage 2 Common Application due (by invitation only): 20 October 2026
- Stage 2 NHMRC (by invitation only) closes in Sapphire: 27 October 2026
- Expected Annoucment of Outcomes: March-April 2027
Overview
The eleventh call for applications under the GACD banner focuses on implementation research proposals, maximising collaboration and coordination with sectors and in settings beyond the healthcare system to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Proposals should explore implementation strategies that draw on collaborative multisectoral engagement and utilise the different settings in which people are educated, work and live, to expand efforts to reduce risks, prevent, manage and control non-communicable diseases. Proposals can focus on more than one setting and/or include cross-sectoral approaches, involving both healthcare and non-healthcare settings.
The provisional funding allocation for the 2026 NHMRC-GACD grant opportunity is $5 million for projects up to 5 years in duration. NHMRC’s Research Committee annually reviews and recommends indicative budget amounts to be awarded across individual funding schemes.
Funder Webinars
- Sitting A: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2026, 08:00 AM London/UTC, 4:00 Ottawa, 10:00 Johannesburg, 13:30 New Delhi, 15:00 Bangkok, 19:00 Canberra
Register in advance for this meeting, Sitting A
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting - Sitting B: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2026, 15:00 AM London/UTC, 11:00 Ottawa, 17:00 Johannesburg, 20:30 New Delhi, 22:00 Bangkok, 2:00 (Wed, 25) Canberra
Register in advance for this meeting, Sitting B
Eligibility
The CIA must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or have an appropriate work visa in place. The CIA must also be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
The research activities must take place in:
- one or more LMICs (as defined by the World Bank) and/or
- in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. Applications will only be accepted from NHMRC Administering Institutions.
UQ Notice of Intent
All researchers intending to submit an application for the 2026 NHMRC Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) scheme are required to submit a mandatory internal UQ Notice of Intent (NOI) using the link below no later than 3 June 2026.
Key Resources and Documents
More information:
- GACD website
- GACD Common Call text
- GACD joint process, Stage 1, application guidance
- Current Grant Opportunity View – GO8266: GrantConnect
- NHMRC Agency-specific information
- NHMRC Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC)
Application portal and templates:
IMPORTANT: Applications must meet the requirements set out in both the GACD Call Guidelines and the NHMRC Guidelines.
Any questions regarding this scheme shuold be directed to the Pre-Award team at nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au.
2026 NHMRC-Horizon Europe
Key dates
- EU Applications open: 10 February 2026
- EU Applications closed: 16 April 2026
- Sapphire opening date: 23 September 2026*
- UQ R&I internal close date: 7 October 2026*
- Sapphire closing date and time: 21 October 2026* 17:00 ACT local time
* Date is indicative and subject to change
Overview
The NHMRC-Horizon Europe Scheme supports Australian participation in leading international collaborative research under Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe facilitates collaboration and strengthens research impact and innovation while tackling global challenges.
Projects involving Australia-based researchers chosen by the European Commission (EC) for funding may be eligible for NHMRC support.
NHMRC will invite Australia-based researchers who are listed on eligible applications deemed fundable by the EC to apply to NHMRC for support of the Australian component of research under the following topics submitted through the single-stage deadline model:
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-STAYHLTH-02: Behavioural interventions as primary prevention for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among young people
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-01: Towards a better understanding and anticipation of the impacts of climate change on health
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-04: Towards climate resilient, prepared and carbon neutral populations and healthcare systems
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-02: Innovative interventions to prevent the harmful effects of using digital technologies on the mental health of children and young adults
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-03: Advancing research on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of post-infection long-term conditions
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-04: Development of novel vaccines for viral pathogens with epidemic potential
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-11: Understanding of sex and/or gender-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases: determinants, risk factors and pathways
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-15: Scaling up innovation in cardiovascular health
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-CARE-03: Identifying and addressing low-value care in health and care systems
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-03: Integrating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to advance biomedical research and regulatory testing
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-06: Support to European Research Area (ERA) action on accelerating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to advance biomedical research and testing of medicinal products and medical devices
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-IND-03: Regulatory science to support translational development of patient-centred health technologies
and submitted through the Partnerships in Health call:
- HORIZON-HLTH-2026-04-CARE-04: Enhancing and enlarging the European Partnership on Personalised Medicine (EP PerMEd) (Top-up)
NHMRC will not support applications submitted under other Horizon Europe topics.
Grant funding and duration
Projects involving Australia-based researchers that are chosen by the European Commission for funding may be eligible for NHMRC support. Australian CIs may apply for up to $500,000 for each application. A 2026 NHMRC-Horizon Europe grant can be requested for between 1 and 5 years depending on the proposal.
Eligibility
Chief Investigators can submit a maximum of one application to this opportunity.
Applications to the 2026 NHMRC-Horizon Europe scheme are not capped relative to Investigator and Ideas Grants and will not affect a CI’s eligibility to apply to the latter schemes (refer to the respective scheme grant opportunity guidelines for eligibility requirements).
Eligibility to apply for NHMRC funding is dependent on the following.
- Only Australia-based applicants successful through the EC review process are eligible to apply to the NHMRC.
- The Administering Institution for the 2026 NHMRC-Horizon Europe scheme application must be listed as an Associated Partner in the EC application.
- Evidence, such as the EC grant agreement or a letter from the EC, which indicates that the relevant EC application has been evaluated favourably and will proceed to the preparation of the grant agreement, must be provided as part of the 2026 NHMRC-Horizon Europe application.
- Only one 2026 NHMRC-Horizon Europe scheme application will be accepted and funded for each successful EC application. NHMRC recognises that an application to the EC may involve more than one Australia-based researcher. In this situation, those researchers will need to agree to a lead (Chief Investigator A) and submit a single application.
Enquiries about the NHMRC-Horizon Europe 2026 scheme should be directed to nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au.
Before applying, please review the guidelines available from GrantConnect (GO8312), the Australian Government grants information system (login required).
2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program - Closed
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 17 December 2025
- UQ Notice of Intent (NOI): 18 March 2026
- NHMRC Minimum Data: 18 March 2026, 4.00pm Brisbane time
- Application due to UQR&I: 18 March 2026
- Common applications close with e-ASIA JRP: 31 March 2026, 5.00pm Indochina time (UTC+7)
- NHMRC external close: 1 April 2026, 4.00pm Brisbane time
Overview
The NHMRC and e-Asia invites applications for projects commencing in 2026 that address two topics:
- Topic 1: Infectious Disease and Immunology
- Topic 2: Advanced Medical Research & Enabling Technologies
Funding is available for a maximum value of $750,000 per grant and can be requested for up to 3 years.
Eligibility
The CIA must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or have an appropriate work visa in place. The CIA must also be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
The maximum number of CIs allowed on an application is 10. CIs are eligible to submit a maximum of one application in the 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA grant opportunity.
Applications must include a minimum of three collaborating partners from supporting member organisations participating in a call topic. NHMRC requires that collaborations must include a Principal Investigator from at least one of the participating member organisations from the following countries:
- China
- Indonesia (required for proposals under Topic 1)
- Japan
- Philippines
- Singapore
- USA
UQ Notice of Intent
All researchers intending to submit an application for the NHMRC-e-ASIA Joint Research Program are required to submit a mandatory internal UQ Notice of Intent (NOI) using the link below no later than 5pm on 18 March 2026.
Application Process
- Send a UQ NHMRC e-ASIA 2026 Application Certification Form to grants@research.uq.edu.au to initiate review.
- The Lead Principal Investigator must submit the Common Application to e-ASIA by 31 March 2026 (For more details please visit the e-ASIA website), and a full application to NHMRC by 1 April 2026.
- NHMRC conducts eligibility checks and peer review of submitted applications.
- NHMRC submits a shortlist of eligible applications to the e-ASIA Joint Review Meeting.
- The e-ASIA Joint Review Meeting compiles a final ranking list and recommends projects for funding.
- NHMRC approves funding recommendations.
Key Documents
NHMRC
NHMRC documentation, including Guidelines and the Grant Proposal Template, is available from GrantConnect (GO8133)
e-Asia
The e-ASIA Joint Research Program guidelines and application form are available from the e-ASIA JRP website.
UQ
2025 NHMRC-NEURON funding call - closed
The NHMRC and The Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research invites applications for projects commencing in 2025 on interdisciplinary approaches to the neuroscience of pain.
Key Dates
- Deadline for NEURON pre-proposal: 6 March 2025
- UQ internal close for NHMRC applications: 19 June 2025
- Deadline for NEURON full proposal: 26 June 2025 (invited applicants only)
- Deadline for NHMRC applications: 26 June 2026 (invited applicants only)
- Anticipated notification of NHMRC outcomes: December 2025
Eligibility
Pre-proposals to NEURON must be from consortia representing at least three research partners from the following participating countries:
- Australia
- Belgium
- Croatia
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Norway
- Poland
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Türkiye
- UK
The total number of research partners in a consortium is limited to five, and no more than two consortium partners can be from the same country. Involvement of promising early career researchers as consortium partners forms part of the evaluation criteria.
Pre-proposals must be submitted to NEURON by the consortium lead by the deadline listed above. Applicants with successful pre-proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal in mid-May 2025. Consortia with Australian investigators will be contacted by the NHMRC with an invitation to submit an application in Sapphire. Both the NEURON full proposal and the NHMRC application must be submitted by the dates listed above.
Application Process
- Send a UQ NHMRC-NEURON 2025 Application Certification Form to grants@research.uq.edu.au to initiate review.
- The Lead Principal Investigator must submit the NEURON pre-proposal by 6 March 2025.
- Applicants will be contacted in mid-May if they have been invited to submit a full proposal.
- NHMRC will contact Australian applicants on invited full proposals and invited them to submit an NHMRC application in Sapphire.
- ERA-NET NEURON will assess full proposals and the Call Steering Committee will approve a final ranking list.
- NHMRC will review the budgets of Australian-based partners.
- Funding is recommended.
Key Documents
NHMRC
NHMRC documentation is available from GrantConnect (GO7482)
NEURON
The NEURON guidelines and application form are available from the ERA-NET NEURON website.
UQ
2025 NHMRC-Horizon Europe - closed
Key dates
- EU Applications open: 25 May 2025
- EU Applications closed: 16 September 2025
- Sapphire opening date (single-stage model): March 2026
- UQ R&I internal close for full single-stage applications: April 2026
- Sapphire closing date and time (single-stage model): April 2026
- Sapphire opening date (two-stage model): October 2026
- UQ R&I internal close for full two-stage applications: November 2026
- Sapphire closing date and time (two-stage model): November 2026
Overview
The NHMRC-EU Collaborative Research Grant Scheme supports Australian participation in international collaborative research under Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe facilitates collaboration and strengthens research impact and innovation while tackling global challenges.
Projects involving Australian-based researchers chosen by the EU for funding may be eligible for NHMRC support.
NHMRC will invite Australian researchers who are listed on eligible applications deemed fundable by the European Commission (EC) to apply to NHMRC for support of the Australian component of research under the following topics submitted through the single-stage deadline model:
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-DISEASE-01: Testing safety and efficacy of phage therapy for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-DISEASE-03: Development of antibodies and antibody-derived proteins for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases with epidemic potential
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-DISEASE-04: Leveraging artificial intelligence for pandemic preparedness and response
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-DISEASE-07: Tackling high-burden for patients and under-researched medical condition
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-TOOL-01: Enhancing cell therapies with genomic techniques
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-TOOL-02: Advancing cell secretome-based therapies
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-TOOL-05: Boosting the translation of biotech research into innovative health therapies
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-IND-01: Optimising the manufacturing of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-IND-02: Digitalisation of conformity assessment procedures of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices
and submitted through the two-stage deadline model:
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-03-STAYHLTH-01-two-stage: Improving the quality of life of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-03-ENVHLTH-01-two-stage: The impact of pollution on the development and progression of brain diseases and disorders
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-03-ENVHLTH-02-two-stage: Advancing knowledge on the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on human health
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-03-DISEASE-02-two-stage: Advancing innovative interventions for mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders
- HORIZON-HLTH-2025-03-IND-03-two-stage: Facilitating the conduct of multinational clinical studies of orphan devices and/or of highly innovative (“breakthrough”) devices
NHMRC cannot support applications submitted under other Horizon Europe topics that are not listed above.
Projects involving Australian researchers based in Australia that are chosen by the European Commission (EC) for funding, may be eligible for NHMRC support. Australian CIs may apply for up to $500,000 (single-stage model) and $1,000,000 (two-stage model) over a maximum of five years for each application. Holding an NHMRC-EU Collaborative Research Grant does not affect a CI’s ability to hold other NHMRC grants.
Only applicants who have their Administering Institution listed as an Associated Partner in a relevant EU application are eligible. Interested researchers should reach out to their European colleagues as soon as possible. The European application deadline for all the above opportunities is 16 September 2025.
Enquiries about the NHMRC-EU scheme or the Horizon Europe scheme may be directed to internationalgrants@research.uq.edu.au.
Before applying, please review the full suite of documents available from GrantConnect, the Australian Government grants information system (login required).
2025 NHMRC-GACD Funding Call - closed
Key Dates
- GACD Application portal open: 4 February 2025
- Application due to UQ R&I: 2 June 2025
- Applications due to GACD (first stage): 16 June 2025, 6pm Central European Time
- First stage proposal outcomes: 10 September 2025
- Second stage application due to UQ R&I: 24 September 2025
- Second stage proposals due to GACD (By invitation only): 22 October 2025
- Applications due in Sapphire: 28 October 2025
Overview
The NHMRC invites Australian researchers to submit applications for the tenth Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) funding call: Strengthening Health Systems. NHMRC encourages but does not require applications to seek joint funding with other GACD Associate Members.
This call will focus on implementation research addressing strategies for strengthening of health systems to improve equity in high quality care and health outcomes and reduce the prevalence and impact of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries and/or in underserved populations experiencing health disparities such as Indigenous populations, in high-income countries.
For NHMRC funding support, the research activities must take place in:
- one or more LMICs (as defined by the World Bank) and/or
- in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia
NHMRC is participating in the Joint Application Process. Other funders taking part in the joint process are:
- Brazil – São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
- India – Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- South Africa – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
- Thailand – Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI)
The European Horizon programme and the US National Institutes of Health run parallel GACD calls. Australian researchers cannot submit joint funding applications to Horizon Europe or NIH calls; joint funding applications can only be submitted to the funders taking part in the joint application process. Australian researchers can participate in Horizon Europe calls as part of the Horizon Europe application, but NHMRC funding is not available to support the Australian scope of work in these applications.
The Joint Application process for the tenth GACD funding call uses a two-step evaluation process:
- Australian applicants intending to apply for funding from the NHMRC should advise of their intent to participate in the call via email to international@nhmrc.gov.au.
- The Principal Investigator submits the first stage application on the GACD Application Portal on behalf of the study team. Other project partners should not submit a separate proposal on the GACD portal. However, some participating funding agencies require a copy of the joint proposal to be submitted via their application system. Please check agency-specific information for guidance about this requirement. Note that the NHMRC does not require a copy of the first stage proposal until a full application is submitted on Sapphire.
- Shortlisted first stage applicants will be invited to submit a second stage proposal on the GACD Application Portal.
- The Australian team must also submit a full application to NHMRC on Sapphire (now open). Project partners should check agency-specific information for instructions on submission of full applications.
- Applicants submit a Supplementary Form on the GACD application portal at the same time as submitting their full application to the relevant funding agency.
Further Information
For information on preparing first stage and second stage proposals, please refer to the Tenth GACD Funding Call: Strengthening Health Systems website:
- Application guidance
- Specific considerations for GACD applications
- Strengthening health systems call text
- Applicant briefing webinar recordings, slide set and FAQs developed after the briefing
- Application forms and templates
For NHMRC specific information, please refer to:
- NHMRC-GACD 2025 Grant Guidelines on GrantConnect
- NHMRC Agency-Specific Information on the GACD website
Anticipated topics for future calls are:
- 2026: A call focussed on implementation research around strategies leveraging settings and sectors beyond the health system, to tackle the growing burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and underserved populations in high-income countries (HICs).
- 2027: A call focussed on implementation research on interventions targeting children and young people to tackle the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and underserved populations in high-income countries (HICs).
Please see the GACD website for more information on these anticipated calls.
If you are interested in applying for this scheme, please contact internationalgrants@research.uq.edu.au.