Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Mental Health Research Grant Program is a targeted funding initiative supporting early-stage scientific research into severe and persistent mental illness. It focuses on developing new and emerging treatment approaches through basic science and pre-clinical studies.
The programme is designed to strengthen the connection between research, clinical practice, and policy, ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into real-world mental health improvements in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Purpose and Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Support research into severe and persistent mental illness
- Fund basic science and pre-clinical mental health studies
- Develop new and emerging treatment approaches
- Improve mental health outcomes and wellbeing
- Strengthen translation of research into clinical practice
- Bridge gaps between research, policy, and implementation
- Help NSW researchers access larger national funding opportunities
The focus is on innovation in early-stage mental health science.
Funding Overview
Key funding details include:
- Total funding pool: AUD 4 million
- Maximum grant per project: AUD 1 million
- Project duration: up to 4 years
- Eligible costs: salaries, consumables, equipment, clinician backfill
Funding is intended for long-term, high-impact research projects.
Eligible Research Areas
The programme supports:
- Basic science research in mental health
- Pre-clinical studies
- Experimental treatment development
- Biological and mechanistic studies of mental illness
- Novel therapeutic approaches for severe mental illness
- Translational research pathways
Projects must focus on early-stage discovery and treatment innovation.
What the Programme Does NOT Fund
The following are not eligible:
- Capital works or infrastructure development
- Organisational overheads (rent, utilities, maintenance)
- Office furniture and communication systems
- General institutional infrastructure
- Research conducted outside NSW
- Projects not focused on severe and persistent mental illness
Applications must strictly align with biomedical and pre-clinical focus areas.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- NSW-based researchers
- Employed by an eligible host organisation for the full grant duration
- Australian citizens, permanent residents, or valid visa holders for the full period
- Clinicians, including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals
- Encouraged participation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers
- Encouraged participation from culturally and linguistically diverse researchers
The programme promotes diversity in research leadership.
Eligible Host Organisations
Host institutions must:
- Be located in NSW
- Conduct health and medical research
- Include universities, medical research institutes, not-for-profits, or public health organisations
- Serve as administering organisations where required
Organisations must provide research infrastructure support.
Funding Usage Rules
Funding may be used for:
- Research staff salaries (clinical and non-clinical)
- Consumables and laboratory materials
- Equipment required for research
- Clinician backfill (up to 50% with justification)
Funding cannot be used for general institutional expenses.
Institutional Responsibilities
Host organisations are expected to:
- Provide laboratory and workspace facilities
- Support equipment and infrastructure needs
- Offer in-kind or cash contributions where possible
- Ensure proper administration of grant funds
- Support research compliance and governance
This ensures research continuity and operational support.
Programme Approach
The programme emphasizes:
- Early-stage biomedical innovation
- Strong translational research pathways
- Collaboration between clinicians and scientists
- Long-term mental health impact
- Integration of research into policy and practice
- Strengthening NSW research capacity
The goal is to advance scientific understanding of mental illness treatment.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Scientific merit and innovation
- Relevance to severe and persistent mental illness
- Strength of pre-clinical or basic science approach
- Potential for translation into clinical practice
- Research team capability and experience
- Alignment with NSW health priorities
- Feasibility within the proposed timeline
High-quality, evidence-driven proposals are prioritized.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common application issues include:
- Projects outside NSW
- Lack of focus on severe mental illness
- Clinical trials without pre-clinical foundation
- Budget requests for ineligible infrastructure costs
- Weak translational or impact pathway
- Insufficient justification for clinician backfill
- Misalignment with basic science requirements
Successful applications are tightly focused on early-stage research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Mental Health Research Grant Program?
It is a funding programme supporting early-stage mental health research in NSW, Australia.
Q2. How much funding is available?
Up to AUD 1 million per project, with a total pool of AUD 4 million.
Q3. What is the project duration?
Up to four years.
Q4. What type of research is supported?
Basic science and pre-clinical research on severe mental illness.
Q5. Who can apply?
NSW-based researchers affiliated with eligible host organisations.
Q6. What costs are covered?
Salaries, consumables, equipment, and clinician backfill.
Q7. What is excluded from funding?
Infrastructure, capital works, and non-research-related expenses.
Conclusion
The Mental Health Research Grant Program supports high-impact pre-clinical and basic science research into severe mental illness in New South Wales. By funding innovative treatment research and strengthening translation into practice, the programme aims to advance scientific understanding and improve long-term mental health outcomes.
For more information, visit NSW Government.