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NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence

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Key dates for NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence 2026

UQ R&I Information Session 

To assist applicants in preparing their applications, the Research Office held an Information Session on Friday 10 October 2025. The session covered major changes to the application, UQ contributions, support from the UQ Library and insight for completing your application.  A recording of this session is available on the UQ R&I presentations and slides webpage for those who were unable to attend. 

Overview

The objective of the Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) scheme is to improve health outcomes, promote or improve translation of research outcomes and support capacity building. The intended outcomes of the CRE scheme are to:

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

Grants are available for up to $3,000,000 over a maximum of 5 years.

2026 CRE grant opportunity is expected to fund research across four application streams:

  1. Basic Science Research
  2. Clinical Research
  3. Health Services Research
  4. Public Health Research

Additional funding is available for one Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Centre of Research Excellence through the Basic Science Research application stream.

Additional funding is also available for one CRE for Infection Prevention and Control Research in Aged Care through the Health Services Research application stream.

Key Changes for 2026 CRE grant opportunity

The NHMRC has indicated the following changes are anticipated in the upcoming round:

  • Applicants will be required to describe in their grant proposal the proposed distribution and governance arrangements for the requested CRE funding, and how the CRE funding will complement already secured funding, data and resources. The response will be considered in the assessment of the application.
  • CRE score descriptors have been updated for assessment criterion 4.

How to apply

Step 1. UQ strategic review and development

  • To help researchers best position their CRE application, the UQ R&I Major Initiatives Team will be supporting early conversations with potential UQ-led CRE applicants. 

  • Researchers considering applying to the CRE scheme should complete the Register Interest form. 

  • If you have questions about strategic review and development, please contact majorinitiatives@research.uq.edu.au.

  • Researchers intending to apply to the CRE scheme must complete the UQ R&I NOI.

  • If you have questions about proposal review and development, please contact nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au.

Submit UQ Notice of Intent

Step 2. Creating an application in Sapphire

  • Log in to Sapphire and review/update your profile, ensuring all sections are current. If you do not yet have a Sapphire account, please register for Sapphire. Note that requests for Sapphire accounts/activations have experienced considerable delays, so it is recommended that all investigators register as soon as possible.

  • Create an application in Sapphire. Invite collaborating investigators to be participants by adding them to the Research Team on Sapphire; aim to do this early to avoid delays if new researcher accounts need to be created

Step 3. Completing the application

  • Log into Sapphire and complete the application sections. Upload all relevant supporting documents and ensure all investigators have accepted their invitations. 

Step 4. UQ R&I internal review and feedback

  • Once the application is complete, the CIA should initiate the Certification process 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 UQ Application Certification Form (see UQ Resources below) to UQ R&I at nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au.

  • An internal review will be completed by UQ R&I at the level requested in the NOI and feedback will be provided.

Step 5. Final submission

  • Final submission by UQ R&I to NHMRC.

Readership and researcher support 

Before applying, we recommend you:

Key documents

NHMRC

UQ

 

Contact UQ R&I

Scheme queries: 

Round coordinator
Dr Melissa Ilsley

If you are applying through UQ but you are not a current UQ staff member, please contact the round coordinator to be added to the UQ R&I mailing list.