MRFF 2026 Mental Health Research

Step 1: Internal Notice of Intent (NOI) 

All researchers intending to submit an MRFF application are required to submit an internal Notice of Intent. 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

• Register for Sapphire and update your full profile 'My Profile and CV'. All Chief Investigators (CI) and Associate Investigators (AI) will need to have an active Sapphire account. Any team members without a Sapphire account should request one as early as possible. The NHMRC require at least three working days to create new Sapphire accounts. 
• Download guidelines and application templates from GrantConnect. Familiarise yourself with the key MRFF, NHMRC and UQ documentation (see below). 

Step 3. Completing the application

• Log into Sapphire and complete the application. Sections of the application will validate as they are completed.
• Ensure all required data is entered into the application before the Minimum Data deadline (see Key dates above). Applications that do not meet this deadline will not be able to proceed.

Step 4. UQ R&I internal review and feedback

• Ahead of internal review, ensure all online components are complete and valid in Sapphire and CIA has initiated the Certification process. Application errors will be signalled and can be corrected during the Certification stage.
• To initiate internal review, email the UQ Research Office at mrffgrants@research.uq.edu.au with your completed MRFF Funding Application Certification form (below).
• UQ Research Office will review your application and provide you with feedback as requested in NOI (eligibility & compliance; refinement; or content grantscraft).

Step 5. Final submission

• When your application is complete and fully compliant, the UQ Research Office will submit the application to the NHMRC through Sapphire.

Letters of Support

UQ Letters

Most MRFF applications administered in Sapphire will not require a letter of support from UQ. This is usually only necessary if UQ is committing cash to the project.

We ask that UQ researchers submit draft letters for signing to us no later than two weeks before the external closing date. We strongly recommend working with your local school/institute research professionals to complete this process.

Partner Letters

We encourage applicants to provide drafts of partner letters of support for review by the Research office before organising their final signature to ensure eligibility and compliance. A template partner letter of support is provided below.

Non-UQ Lead Applications

• The administering organisation should provide you with a draft letter of support. We recommend you work with your local research support to complete the letter. 
• Complete and sign an MRFF Funding Application Certification form (see below), and get it countersigned by your Head of School/Institute.
• Submit both to mrffgrants@research.uq.edu.au, along with evidence for any additional co-contributions.

Before applying, we recommend you:

• Familiarise yourself with the framework for Applying for Competitive Research Grants at UQ.
• Contact your faculty or institute research manager for advice on peer readership programs.
• Subscribe to the UQ R&I Mailer to stay up to date with round developments.
• Access the UQ R&I Grants Library, a helpful resource of past successful proposals.
• Read the UQ R&I Grant writing advice and strategy website for tips on preparing your application

UQ forms and resources

• UQ MRFF Declaration of Interests (DOCX, 21.9 KB)
• UQ 2026 MRFF Partner Letter of Support template (DOCX, 38.3 KB)
• UQ How to Guide for MRFF Grants (PDF, 783.9 KB)
• UQ Guide to Sex and Gender-related Variables considerations (PDF, 187 KB)