UQ - Sanofi Translational Science Hub Partnership Scheme - Research support

2026 UQ - Sanofi Translational Science Hub Partnership Scheme

Overview

The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Sanofi have formed a foundational partnership called the Translational Science Hub (TSH) with a focus on mRNA-based vaccine therapeutics innovation and translation with a long-term view to collectively catalyse the growth of Queensland’s biomedical ecosystem.

The Master Research Agreement between the foundational partners UQ, Griffith University and Sanofi creates express provisions for the funding of projects that fulfil the primary objectives of the partnership and address both Queensland and Sanofi priority areas. These are broadly focused on mRNA-based approaches to the development of vaccines and therapeutics (https://www.sanofi.com/en/australia/translational-science-hub).

The funding set aside for supporting innovative projects that advance the vaccines and therapeutics pipeline comprise an initial investment over the first five years of the agreement of up to $10 million from each university and co-investment by Sanofi determined on a project-by-project basis..

There are four streams of University-Sanofi collaborative activities that have been identified with funding support available, pending review, to support research activities aligned to the priority areas of the partnership:

Stream 1 Seed Funding and Bigger Investments provides direct support for research projects at the proof-of-concept and pre-clinical stage that align with the objectives of the TSH partnership.
Stream 2 Co-Investment for External Grant Opportunities provides cash contributions to competitive research grants that align with the objectives of the TSH partnership e.g. funding opportunities from national (NHMRC, MRFF and ARC) and international schemes (Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation etc).
Stream 3 Fellowships/Scholarships provides direct funding for HDR students for projects that align with the objectives of the partnership. Support will be provided for both internal schemes and leveraging external funding opportunities.
Stream 4 Research Contracts will primarily involve Sanofi funded fee-for-service work utilising UQ expertise and capability. UQ funding may be available to support this work depending on return on investment for UQ and on a case-by-case basis.

UQ-Sanofi Research Information Session

To support researchers interested in engaging with Sanofi, the Research Office and Sanofi hosted an information session outlining the scheme and Sanofi’s current research priorities. The session included an overview of the opportunity, insights from Sanofi representatives, and Q&A. The session recording is available here under UQ Internal Schemes.

Key Documents

Sanofi Priority Areas

Next-Generation Vaccines and Immunotherapies for Sexual Health, Allergies, Dermatological Conditions, and Epstein Barr Virus-Associated Diseases

Priority Area 1 – Predictive Models and Digital Frameworks for Vaccine Development
Computational and NAM-based frameworks to bridge the gap between preclinical findings and clinical outcomes.
Priority Area 2 – Precision Immunomodulation and Mucosal Immunity
Targeted delivery systems, next-generation adjuvants, and long-term immune memory strategies.
Priority Area 3 – Systems Immunology and Population-Specific Vaccine Design
Multi-omics, biomarker discovery, and real-world data integration to enable precision vaccine design.

Stream 1 & 2

A two-stage application process will comprise submission of an EOI and following discussion with Sanofi, a full project proposal. The intention is to turn around decisions on the award of funding within 3 months from the original EOI submission.

Stream 1 and Stream 2 applications are led by the Research Office Internal Schemes team.

Key Dates

Stream 1 Bigger Investments

Full project applications due: 23 October 2026
Anticipated announcement: December 2026

Stream 1 Seed Funding & Stream 2

Round 2, 2026 - in progress

Full project applications due: 16 October 2026
Anticipated announcement: December

How to apply

Stream 1 Bigger Investments:

Step 1: Submit your full proposal and Funding Application Certification form via email to internalschemes@research.uq.edu.au
Step 2: Full applications will be reviewed by the Steering Committee and a ranked list will be provided to the DVCRI for funding recommendations.
Step 3: Shortlisted applications will be invited to present a pitch to Sanofi Vaccines R&D Leadership for final consideration.

Stream 1 Seed Funding & Stream 2:

Step 1: Review the Sanofi Priority Areas (PDF, 81.4 KB).
Step 2: Submit your EOI online during open round dates. The research office will review applications for eligibility and compliance.
Step 3: EOIs will be reviewed by Sanofi Engagement Managers.
Step 4: Shortlisted EOIs will be invited to meet with Sanofi engagement managers to develop a full proposal.
Step 5: Submit your full proposal and Funding Application Certification form via email to internalschemes@research.uq.edu.au
Step 6: Full applications will be reviewed by the Steering Committee and a ranked list will be provided to the DVCRI for funding recommendations.

Stream 3

Fellowships

Key Dates

Full project applications due: 13 November 2026
Anticipated announcement: December 2026

How to apply

Step 1: Submit your application form, CV and Funding Application Certification form via email to internalschemes@research.uq.edu.au
Step 2: Full applications will be reviewed by the Steering Committee and a ranked list will be provided to the DVCRI for funding recommendations.

Scholarships

As part of UQ’s growing partnership with Sanofi, an international leader in immunology healthcare, Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now being sought from UQ researchers interested in collaborating with a Sanofi researcher to develop and supervise a PhD project in one of Sanofi Research Priority areas.

How to apply

Step 1: Review your eligibility. UQ researchers submitting an EOI must:

Be eligible to supervise HDR students at UQ
Have completed the Contemporary Expectations of HDR supervision training and Supervising Indigenous HDR Candidates training module within the last 5 years, and
Have the capacity to supervise a PhD student. Please consider any factors that may impact capacity to resource and supervise the project for the full duration of the PhD.

Step 2: Review the Sanofi Research Priority areas
Step 3: Submit your EOI online: UQ-Sanofi PhD project EOI Checkbox survey
Please note that a closing date for submitting a Stream 3 EOI does not currently apply; however, Sanofi may review this in the future.
Step 4: The submitted EOI and any supporting documents will be shared with Sanofi, who will circulate the proposed research project to Sanofi scientists aligned with the priority area.
Step 5: If there is interest from a Sanofi scientist, Sanofi will then facilitate the discussion about a co-supervised PhD project.
Step 6: Successful EOI’s will be eligible to advertise for a fully funded PhD scholarship for the project, which includes a living allowance stipend of $50,000 per annum and a tuition fee scholarship. International students will also receive overseas student health cover (OSHC) funded by Sanofi.

A brief overview of the process is as follows:

Stream 4

Stream 4 TSH Research Contracts can proceed as Contract Research. Researchers interested in Stream 4 should liaise with their Research Commercial Manager. Overheads are applicable to Stream 4 at the rate of 50 Percent.