Deadline: 01-Jul-2026

The NHMRC Investigator Grants program provides long-term funding to researchers at all career stages by combining salary support with a flexible Research Support Package. The scheme supports biomedical, clinical, public health, and health services research, enabling investigators to build independent research programs, pursue innovative ideas, and establish collaborations over a five-year funding period.

What are NHMRC Investigator Grants?

The Investigator Grants program is a major funding initiative designed to support outstanding researchers conducting health and medical research. The scheme combines researcher salary support (where needed) with research funding, allowing investigators to focus on developing and expanding their research programs.

The program aims to provide greater flexibility, reduce administrative burden, and enable researchers to respond to emerging scientific opportunities while maintaining long-term research stability.

Program Objectives

The Investigator Grants scheme seeks to:

• Support outstanding health and medical researchers.
• Encourage innovative and impactful research.
• Strengthen independent research programs.
• Foster national and international collaborations.
• Provide flexibility to pursue new research directions.
• Reduce application and peer-review burden.
• Support researchers throughout their careers.
• Improve Australia’s health and medical research capacity.

Research Areas Supported

The program supports research across NHMRC’s four pillars of health and medical research.

1. Biomedical Research

Research focused on understanding biological processes and disease mechanisms, including:

• Genetics and genomics
• Molecular biology
• Cellular research
• Disease pathways
• Drug discovery

2. Clinical Research

Research involving patient care and clinical practice, including:

• Clinical trials
• Diagnostic innovations
• Treatment development
• Precision medicine
• Translational research

3. Public Health Research

Research aimed at improving population health, including:

• Disease prevention
• Health promotion
• Epidemiology
• Community health
• Health equity initiatives

4. Health Services Research

Research focused on improving healthcare delivery and outcomes, including:

• Health systems
• Service delivery models
• Healthcare policy
• Quality improvement
• Access to care

Funding Structure

Salary Support

The program can provide salary funding for eligible researchers who require salary support to conduct their research.

Benefits of Salary Support

• Financial stability for researchers.
• Protected research time.
• Increased focus on research activities.
• Support for independent research leadership.

Research Support Package

In addition to salary support, successful applicants receive funding to support their research program.

Research funding may be used to:

• Conduct research activities.
• Build collaborations.
• Support research staff.
• Access research infrastructure.
• Explore emerging research opportunities.
• Generate preliminary data for future studies.

Grant Duration

Funding Period

• Grants are awarded for five years.
• Long-term funding enables strategic planning and program development.
• Researchers can pursue ambitious research agendas with greater stability.

Flexibility for Career Disruptions

NHMRC recognizes that researchers may experience career interruptions.

Eligible grant holders may:

• Redirect salary funding toward research activities.
• Extend grant duration on a pro-rata basis.
• Receive extensions of up to two additional years in approved circumstances.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Career Stages

Applications are open to researchers at:

Early Career Stage

Researchers beginning to establish independent research programs.

Mid-Career Stage

Researchers building research leadership and expanding their impact.

Established Career Stage

Experienced researchers leading major research programs and collaborations.

Eligible Research Professionals

The program supports:

• Academic researchers
• Clinicians
• Medical specialists
• Public health practitioners
• Allied health practitioners
• Full-time researchers
• Part-time researchers

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Meet NHMRC eligibility requirements.
• Comply with application capping rules.
• Submit only one Investigator Grant application per funding round.
• Apply through an eligible administering institution.
• Meet all requirements outlined in the grant opportunity guidelines.

Why This Grant Matters

Investigator Grants provide a unique funding model that combines researcher support with research funding.

Key Benefits

• Long-term funding certainty.
• Greater flexibility in resource allocation.
• Reduced administrative workload.
• Stronger research independence.
• Enhanced collaboration opportunities.
• Support for innovative and high-impact research.
• Improved career development opportunities.

The program helps researchers focus on scientific excellence rather than continuously seeking short-term funding.

How the Assessment Process Works

Applications undergo a rigorous peer-review process designed to identify outstanding researchers and research programs.

Step 1: Eligibility Review

Applications are reviewed to ensure compliance with program requirements.

Step 2: Peer Review Assessment

Expert reviewers assess:

• Research excellence
• Investigator track record
• Innovation
• Research impact
• Leadership potential
• Contribution to health and medical research

Step 3: Conflict of Interest Management

NHMRC applies formal procedures to manage conflicts of interest and ensure fairness.

Step 4: Suitability Assessment

Applications undergo suitability and compliance reviews as part of the overall assessment process.

Step 5: Funding Decision

Successful applicants are notified after completion of the review and approval process.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Confirm that you:

• Meet NHMRC eligibility criteria.
• Are eligible under application capping rules.
• Have support from an eligible administering institution.

Step 2: Develop Your Research Program

Prepare a strong proposal that outlines:

• Research vision
• Program objectives
• Expected outcomes
• Innovation and impact
• Collaboration opportunities

Step 3: Secure Institutional Support

Work with your administering institution to complete all required documentation.

Step 4: Submit Application

Submit your application through the designated NHMRC application system before the deadline.

Step 5: Participate in Assessment Process

Applications will undergo peer review and compliance assessment before funding decisions are made.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Eligibility Rules

Failure to comply with NHMRC eligibility requirements may result in ineligibility.

2. Submitting Multiple Applications

Only one Investigator Grant application is permitted per funding round.

3. Weak Research Vision

Applications should clearly explain the long-term significance and impact of the research program.

4. Insufficient Evidence of Research Independence

Applicants should demonstrate leadership, innovation, and the ability to manage an independent research program.

5. Overlooking Collaboration Opportunities

Strong collaborations can enhance the quality and impact of a research proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of the Investigator Grants program?

The program provides long-term funding that combines salary support and research funding to strengthen independent health and medical research programs.

2. Who can apply?

Researchers at early, mid-career, and established career stages who meet NHMRC eligibility requirements.

3. How long do Investigator Grants last?

Investigator Grants are awarded for a period of five years.

4. What research fields are eligible?

The program supports biomedical research, clinical research, public health research, and health services research.

5. Can clinicians apply?

Yes. Clinicians, public health practitioners, and allied health practitioners are eligible if they meet program requirements.

6. Can part-time researchers apply?

Yes. Both full-time and part-time researchers are eligible.

7. What happens if a researcher experiences a career disruption?

NHMRC may allow grant holders to redirect salary funds to research activities or extend the grant term by up to two additional years in eligible circumstances.

Conclusion

The NHMRC Investigator Grants program is one of Australia’s leading health and medical research funding opportunities, providing five years of flexible support for researchers across all career stages. By combining salary funding with a Research Support Package, the scheme enables investigators to pursue innovative research, build collaborations, respond to emerging opportunities, and strengthen their long-term research impact in biomedical, clinical, public health, and health services research.

For more information, visit NHMRC.