Grants to support high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies of any size that address knowledge gaps to improve human health, wellbeing, healthcare practice or policy.
On this page you will find
What is the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies (CTCS) Grants Scheme?
The 2026 Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grant scheme is a funding initiative administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The scheme supports high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies that address important gaps in knowledge and produce relevant and implementable findings for the benefit of human health.
Research proposals may involve clinical trials and/or cohort studies of any size, including large or small studies.
The scheme is not intended to provide ongoing support from NHMRC and does not support infrastructure costs. Grantees are required to report against milestones at twelve-month intervals.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies level of support
- Total Funding Pool: Provisional funding allocation of $75 million.
- Grant Amount: No fixed minimum or maximum grant amount is specified in the guidelines.
- Funding Duration: Grants may be requested for between 1 and 5 years, depending on the proposal.
- Expected Commencement: Grants are expected to commence on 1 October 2027.
- Indexation: Indexation has been included in the funding allocation and will be applied to grant payments annually.
- Co-contribution Requirement: No mandatory co-contribution is specified. Applicants must ensure requested costs comply with NHMRC’s Direct Research Cost Guidelines.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies important dates
- Minimum Data Deadline: 7 October 2026, 5:00 pm ACT local time
- Applications Close: 4 November 2026, 5:00 pm ACT local time
- Anticipated Peer Review: December 2026 to September 2027
- Anticipated Notification of Outcomes: September/October 2027
- Expected Grant Commencement: 1 October 2027
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Dates for peer review and notification of outcomes are indicative and subject to change.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies objectives and outcomes
The objectives of the CTCS Grant scheme are to:
- Support high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies addressing important gaps in knowledge.
- Generate findings that are relevant and implementable for the benefit of human health.
- Contribute to improvements in health outcomes, wellbeing, healthcare practice, or policy .
Projects and expenditure eligible for Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies support
Eligible Projects
Eligible research may include:
- Clinical Trials: Research involving human participants who are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions, with the effects of the intervention assessed through behavioural and/or health-related outcomes.
- Prospective Cohort Studies: Research involving human participants who are prospectively followed over a defined period to assess associations between risk factors or other exposures and behavioural and/or health-related outcomes.
- Retrospective Cohort Studies: Research involving human participants using retrospective data, which may include data linkage, to assess associations between risk factors or other exposures and behavioural and/or health-related outcomes.
Eligible Expenditure
Funding must be used for costs directly incurred in undertaking the proposed research and must comply with NHMRC’s Direct Research Cost Guidelines.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies grants are not normally intended to provide salary support for Chief Investigators. However, CI salary support may be requested where it can be justified as directly associated with achieving the research outcomes.
Chief Investigators, including the CIA, may draw salary support where they are based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period. Associate Investigators cannot draw a salary from a Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies grant.
Funding may also support eligible overseas research activities or research support staff where these activities are important to achieving the aims of the research and are appropriately justified.
Ineligible or Restricted Expenditure
Funding cannot be used for infrastructure, particularly:
- Land
- Buildings
- Fixtures
Computers are generally not funded unless they form an integral component of laboratory equipment or are essential for specialised research activities, such as large-scale data processing.
All requested expenditure must be fully justified. NHMRC may adjust inadequately justified budgets.
Other Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies support
Applications will only be accepted from NHMRC Administering Institutions.
A maximum of:
- 10 Chief Investigators (CIs) may be named on an application.
- 10 Associate Investigators (AIs) may be named on an application.
At the time of accepting the grant and for the duration of the funding period, the Chief Investigator A (CIA) must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or hold an appropriate work visa; and
- be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
The role and contribution of each CI must be described in the application. PhD students may be named as CIs where they are critical to the successful completion of the research.
There is no limit to the number of applications a CI may submit under the 2026 Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies grant opportunity, and this is not affected by other NHMRC grants applied for or held.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies assessment criteria
Applications are assessed by independent peer reviewers against the following weighted assessment criteria.
1. Scientific Assessment – 80%
Significance – 30%
Assessment considers the extent to which the proposed research will advance knowledge and contribute to improvements in health and wellbeing, healthcare practice or policy.
Considerations include:
- alignment with the objectives and intended outcomes of the grant opportunity
- strength of the evidence supporting the research rationale
- aims and hypotheses
- previous research and supporting data
- relevance to researchers, consumers, policymakers and clinical practitioners
- potential health, economic and social impact.
Research Quality – 30%
Assessment considers the quality and feasibility of the research design, methodology and implementation.
Considerations include:
- appropriateness of the clinical trial or cohort study design
- research methodology and statistical approaches
- participant recruitment, inclusion and exclusion criteria
- feasibility, milestones and performance indicators
- risk management
- appropriateness of the proposed budget
- integration of sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and/or sexual orientation, or an evidence-based justification for not integrating relevant variables.
Team Quality and Capability – 20%
Assessment considers whether the CI team has the appropriate skills, experience, track record and capability to undertake the proposed research successfully.
This includes the team’s experience in working with consumers and communities and the contribution of early- and mid-career researchers.
2. Consumer and Community Involvement – 20%
Assessment considers:
- how consumers and/or communities were involved in developing the research
- planned ongoing consumer and community involvement
- governance arrangements
- time and resources allocated to support meaningful involvement
- communication of research findings
- relevance of the research to diverse communities and populations.
The 2026 assessment framework places increased emphasis on appropriate budgeting and support for consumer and community involvement.
Applications with an overall score above 4.500 and a minimum mean score of 4.000 in every assessment criterion are potentially fundable, subject to the availability of funds.
How do I get the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies?
Applicants must ensure their proposal meets all eligibility, application and formatting requirements and demonstrates strong alignment with the scheme’s objectives.
Competitive applications should demonstrate:
- a significant and well-supported research question addressing an important knowledge gap
- high-quality and feasible research design and methodology
- realistic recruitment, milestones and performance indicators
- effective risk management and implementation planning
- a well-justified project budget
- a capable and appropriately experienced research team
- meaningful consumer and community involvement
- consideration of sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation, where relevant
- consideration of how the research could benefit Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health.
All applicants must explain how their proposed research could benefit Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health and contribute to Closing the Gap targets.
Information to prepare for the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies application
Applicants must prepare a Grant Proposal using the required 2026 Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grant Proposal structure.
The proposal includes:
- A. Background, Significance and Impact – maximum 2 A4 pages
- B. Consumer and Community Involvement – maximum 3 A4 pages
- C. Project Plan – maximum 5 A4 pages
- D. Implementation Plan and Risk Management – maximum 1 A4 page
- E. Milestones and Performance Indicators – maximum 1 A4 page
- F. References – maximum 2 A4 pages
- G. Team Quality and Capability – maximum 1 A4 page
- H. CI Capability and Achievement – maximum 2 A4 pages per CI.
Applicants must also complete all required Sapphire application fields, including:
- applicant and research team information
- participating institutions
- research classification
- ethics information
- Top 10 Publications
- Direct Research Costs
- strategic priority information, where applicable.
Minimum data must be entered in Sapphire by 7 October 2026 at 5:00 pm ACT local time. Applications that do not satisfy the minimum data requirements will be ineligible and will not proceed.
Placeholder text such as “text”, “synopsis” or “xx” should not be entered in minimum data fields.
Applicants should also ensure that any identifiable images included in the application comply with NHMRC requirements, including appropriate de-identification or informed consent.
Applying for the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies
Applications must be submitted electronically through Sapphire, NHMRC’s online grants management system, unless otherwise advised by NHMRC.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
GrantHelper can assist with your organisation’s grant application, no matter what stage of the funding journey you’re at.
Four Ways GrantHelper Helps Businesses Secure Government Funding
- Grant Funding Readiness
Assess your business’s current position, identify gaps, and ensure your project is properly aligned to pursue competitive government grant funding — so you can pursue funding with confidence. - Grant Strategy Session
Identify the right grant opportunities, evaluate your project against funding priorities, and map out a clear path to securing government funding — so you can target the best funding opportunities. - Grant Funding Accelerator
A tailored program where we prepare the key components of a compelling grant application — so you can stay focused on running your business while we build your submission step-by-step. - Grant Application Writing
Our expert GrantHelper develops clear, persuasive responses that present your project clearly and persuasively — so your application has the best chance of success.
Ready to get started?
Not Ready to Enquire Yet?
We understand that winning grants takes time—something many business owners and directors don’t have. That’s why we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Insights showcase some of the grant-winning methods we employ at GrantHelper, and they will help you create a stronger grant application.
Explore our Insights page, or our Podcasts page, where you’ll find expert advice, actionable tips, and time-saving strategies to help you get grant-ready.
Alternatively, check out some of the Clients we’ve helped and what they had to say about us.
