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.
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What is the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies (CTCS) Grants Scheme?
The Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies (CTCS) Grants 2025 is a funding initiative by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The scheme is designed to support high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies of any size that address critical knowledge gaps, leading to implementable findings that improve human health, wellbeing, healthcare practice, or policy.
This year’s round includes a strategic partnership with the Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Cure4CF), which will consider applications for Cystic Fibrosis–related research.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies level of support
- Total Funding Pool: $75 million.
- Minimum Amount: Not explicitly stated – small and large trials are both eligible.
- Maximum Amount: No formal cap per project, but subject to availability within the $75 million total allocation.
- Funding Duration: Grants can be requested for 1 to 5 years, depending on project needs.
- Co-contribution Requirement: The guidelines do not specify a mandatory co-contribution. However, applicants should budget responsibly and justify all costs against NHMRC’s Direct Research Costs Guidelines.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies important dates
- Minimum Data Due: 8 October 2025 (5:00 pm ACT local time)
- Applications Close: 5 November 2025 (5:00 pm ACT local time)
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
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
- Clinical Trials: Research involving human participants, prospectively assigned to one or more interventions, with outcomes assessed on health or behavioural results.
- Prospective Cohort Studies: Following a group of individuals over time to assess associations between risk factors/exposures and health outcomes.
- Retrospective Cohort Studies: Using existing data to evaluate associations between risk factors/exposures and health outcomes.
Examples include:
- Trials testing new medications, devices, or therapeutic interventions.
- Behavioural interventions improving health outcomes.
- Preventive trials assessing disease prevention strategies.
- Studies on lifestyle factors (diet, exercise) influencing chronic disease development.
- Research on long-term environmental exposure impacts.
- Retrospective analysis of medical records or linked health datasets.
Ineligible Expenditures
- Infrastructure and utility costs (e.g., building maintenance).
- Ongoing support for existing projects without a new research component.
- Projects not involving human participants.
- Activities that duplicate already funded NHMRC projects.
Other Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies support
Applications are only open to NHMRC Administering Institutions, including:
- Accredited universities and higher education institutions.
- Medical research institutes with a proven research track record.
- Hospitals and health services with research capabilities.
- Public health organisations undertaking large-scale health research
A full list of NHMRC approved Administering Institutions can be found on the NHMRC website.
Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies assessment criteria
Applications are rigorously assessed against the following weighted criteria:
1. Scientific Assessment (80%)
- Significance: Extent to which the project advances knowledge and improves health outcomes.
- Research Quality: Quality, rigour, and feasibility of the design, methodology, recruitment strategy, risk management, milestones, and performance indicators.
- Team Quality and Capability: Expertise, experience, and capacity of the research team to deliver the project within the timeframe.
2. Consumer and Community Involvement (20%)
- Extent and quality of consumer engagement in the research process.
- Consideration of diversity and inclusiveness.
- Relevance and impact of research from a community perspective.
3. Fundability Thresholds:
-
Applications must score above 4.500 overall and at least 4.000 in each criterion to be potentially fundable.
How do I get the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Applicants should demonstrate the following to be competitive:
- A clear, evidence-based rationale addressing a significant knowledge gap.
- A robust and feasible project design, with sound methodology, recruitment strategy, milestones, and performance indicators.
- Meaningful consumer and community involvement, including diversity considerations.
- A realistic and justified budget aligned with project scale.
- Strong risk management and implementation planning.
- A research team with proven expertise and capability to deliver the project in full.
Information to prepare for the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies application
- A detailed Grant Proposal, including background, significance, project plan, implementation strategy, and risk management.
- Milestones and performance indicators.
- Consumer and community involvement plan.
- Supporting attachments as outlined in the guidelines.
- Registration of a Sapphire account at least 72 hours before deadline.
Applying for the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies
Applications must be submitted electronically via Sapphire.
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
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