Deadline: 27-Jul-2026
The 2026 Research Translation Grant supports Australian dementia researchers to translate evidence-based research into real-world improvements in dementia care, diagnosis, treatment, and support services. Grants of up to $200,000 are available for projects that strengthen knowledge translation, implementation science, and practical adoption of dementia research findings across Australia.
Overview
The 2026 Research Translation Grant aims to accelerate the translation of dementia research into practice to improve outcomes for people living with dementia and their families.
The program supports knowledge translation and implementation science projects that move proven research findings into healthcare systems, community services, residential care, and policy environments. The grant encourages projects that generate measurable improvements in dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care delivery, workforce capability, and community awareness.
Projects may include pilot implementation studies, adaptation of successful international interventions for Australian settings, evaluation of evidence-based care models, and activities that increase the uptake of dementia research in practice.
Funding Information
- Maximum funding available: Up to $200,000 per project
- Project duration: 2–3 years
- Funding type: Research Translation Grant
- Geographic focus: Australia
Funding may be used for:
- Research personnel and staffing costs
- Project implementation expenses
- Participant involvement and engagement
- Recruitment activities
- Knowledge translation activities
- Dissemination and communication of findings
Funding cannot be used for:
- Institutional overheads
- Infrastructure expenses
- General equipment purchases
- Costs not directly related to project delivery
Eligible Activities
Projects should focus on translating dementia research into practical outcomes.
Eligible activities include:
- Reducing dementia risk and disease progression
- Improving dementia diagnosis pathways
- Enhancing treatment approaches
- Strengthening care models and service delivery
- Improving community-based dementia care
- Advancing residential aged care practices
- Improving hospital-based dementia support
- Workforce education and training
- Increasing awareness of dementia rights and needs
- Pilot implementation and translation studies
- Adaptation of international evidence-based interventions for Australia
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements.
Chief Investigator A (CIA) must:
- Be a dementia researcher
- Be based in Australia
- Be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen residing in Australia, Australian permanent resident, or hold an appropriate work visa
- Spend at least 80% of the project period based in Australia
Research team requirements:
- Include at least one Early Career Researcher (ECR) or Mid-Career Researcher (MCR)
- The ECR or MCR must be within 10 years of PhD completion, with adjustments permitted for career interruptions
Institutional requirements:
- Applications must be submitted through an eligible NHMRC-approved institution
- Required institutional endorsements must be provided
Project requirements:
- Research must be conducted primarily in Australia
- Projects must align with dementia research translation objectives
- Ethics approval must be obtained where required before funding is released
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed through a competitive review process.
Scientific assessment criteria include:
- Scientific merit – 40%
- Team capability and expertise – 20%
- Innovation – 20%
- Knowledge translation impact – 20%
Additional review considerations include:
- Clarity of communication
- Strength of project rationale
- Potential benefit to people living with dementia
- Involvement of people with lived experience
- Feasibility of implementation
Application Process
Applications undergo several stages of review.
- Eligibility screening
- Scientific panel assessment
- External review where required
- Final ranking by the Dementia Australia Research Foundation Board
- Funding recommendation and approval
- Grant award notification
Applicants must submit all required documentation and institutional approvals before the application deadline.
Why This Grant Matters
A significant challenge in dementia research is ensuring that evidence-based findings are adopted in real-world healthcare and community settings.
This grant addresses the gap between research and practice by supporting projects that:
- Improve quality of life for people living with dementia
- Strengthen evidence-based care delivery
- Increase healthcare workforce capability
- Support better clinical and community outcomes
- Accelerate implementation of proven interventions
- Enhance dementia awareness and advocacy
By funding translation-focused projects, the program helps ensure that research discoveries create tangible benefits for individuals, families, caregivers, and health systems.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:
- Demonstrating a clear pathway from research evidence to practical implementation
- Including measurable outcomes and impact indicators
- Engaging stakeholders and end users early
- Incorporating people with lived dementia experience into project design
- Building multidisciplinary research and implementation teams
- Presenting realistic timelines and budgets
- Explaining how project outcomes will be sustained beyond the funding period
Common Application Mistakes
Common reasons applications may be less competitive include:
- Weak knowledge translation strategy
- Limited evidence of implementation feasibility
- Unclear impact measurement plans
- Insufficient stakeholder engagement
- Poor alignment with dementia research translation objectives
- Incomplete application documentation
- Lack of demonstrated team expertise
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum grant amount available?
Successful projects may receive up to $200,000 in funding.
How long can projects run?
Projects can be delivered over a period of 2–3 years depending on scope and complexity.
Who can apply?
Australian-based dementia researchers who meet citizenship, residency, and institutional eligibility requirements.
Is collaboration required?
Yes. Applications must include at least one early- or mid-career researcher within the specified eligibility period.
Can international research be adapted for Australia?
Yes. Adaptation and implementation of proven international dementia interventions are eligible activities.
Is ethics approval required?
Yes. Ethics approval must be obtained where required before grant funding is released.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are evaluated based on scientific merit, team capability, innovation, knowledge translation impact, and review by dementia advocates and assessment panels.
Conclusion
The 2026 Research Translation Grant provides an important opportunity for Australian dementia researchers to transform evidence into practical improvements in care, treatment, diagnosis, and support services. With funding of up to $200,000, the program supports high-impact translation and implementation projects that can improve outcomes for people living with dementia, their families, caregivers, and the broader healthcare system.
For more information, visit Dementia Australia Research Foundation.
