Grants up to $7 million to establish and extend critical research infrastructure to support world-class health and medical research in areas of unmet medical need.
Current status of program
CLOSED
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What is the National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant?
The National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant (NCRIG) opportunity provides funding to establish and extend infrastructure (facilities, equipment, systems and services) of critical importance that will be used to conduct world-class health and medical research. The funding will help ensure Australian researchers in finding innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need.
The objective of the National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant (NCRIG) opportunity is to provide grants of financial assistance to support Australian medical research and medical innovation projects through the following streams:
- Stream 1 – Innovation Enablers
- Stream 2 – Digitisation of health care
- Stream 3 – Co-investment partnerships
- Stream 4 – mRNA technology enablers
National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant level of support
Grants
- Stream 1 – Innovation Enablers: Up to $3 million
- Stream 2 – Digitisation of Health Care: Up to $3 million
- Stream 3 – Co-investment Partnerships: Up to $7 million
- Stream 4 – mRNA Technology Enablers: Up to $4 million
- Maximum 100% of total project costs for Streams 1, 2 and 4
Co-contribution
- Stream 3 – Co-investment Partnerships: Requires a co-contribution of at least 34% of the total eligible project costs in cash, with the MRFF covering up to 66% of the overall eligible project costs.
National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant objectives
The primary objective of this grant opportunity is to establish and extend infrastructure that is crucial for conducting world-class health and medical research. The initiative is structured to achieve the following goals:
- Innovation Enablers: Support the development and expansion of research enablers like biobanks, tissue repositories, and secure health data environments.
- Digitisation of Health Care: Facilitate the development and translation of digital therapeutics, AI-enabled health interventions, and technologies.
- Co-investment Partnerships: Encourage partnerships between academia, governments, and industry to support critical research infrastructure.
- mRNA Technology Enablers: Leverage and enhance emerging mRNA technologies for the development of vaccines and therapeutics.
Projects eligible for National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant support
Eligible projects include those aimed at developing or expanding research infrastructure such as facilities, equipment, systems, and services that are crucial for health and medical research. Specific focus areas include:
- Integration of large-scale health datasets
- Development of research data commons
- Translational research in biologics and personalised medicine
- Development of digital therapeutics and AI technologies
Activities and expenditure eligible for National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant support
Grant funds can be spent on the following eligible expenditures:
- Research Equipment: Purchase of equipment essential for the research project, with equipment costs over $10,000 covered, up to 50% of the total eligible project costs.
- Labour Expenditure: Direct labour costs for employees working on the core elements of the project. This includes salaries for technical, administrative, and project management staff directly linked to project objectives.
- Minor Capital Works: General repair, maintenance, and upgrade projects directly contributing to the project’s outcomes.
- Other Direct Research Costs: Any other expenses directly related to the research project, including employment of personnel and other necessary operational costs.
The following expenditures are not eligible for funding:
- Retrospective Costs: Costs incurred before the grant agreement is executed.
- Overseas Research: While some overseas research activities may be eligible, the majority of the research and expenditure must occur in Australia.
- General Operational Costs: Routine operational costs, such as utility bills, office supplies, or other administrative overheads not directly linked to the research project.
- Costs Related to Non-Research Activities: Expenditures on activities that do not directly contribute to the research outcomes, such as marketing or promotional activities.
- In-kind Contributions: Non-cash contributions, while valuable, are not counted towards the required co-contribution for Stream 3.
Other National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant support
To be eligible to apply for the MRFF 2024 National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Australian Business Number (ABN): The applicant must have a valid ABN and be incorporated in Australia.
Types of Organisations Eligible:
- Medical Research Institutes: Institutions primarily engaged in medical research activities.
- Universities: Australian universities that are legally incorporated.
- Corporate Commonwealth Entities: Government bodies incorporated under Commonwealth legislation.
- Corporations: This includes businesses and not-for-profit organisations that are legally incorporated in Australia.
National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant assessment criteria
The MRFF 2024 National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
1. Project Impact (40% weighting):
- Contribution to Health Outcomes: The extent to which the project’s research outputs will contribute to meaningful advances in health outcomes, practice, and/or policy in Australia. This includes the potential for addressing areas of unmet medical need and the alignment with the objectives of the National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative.
- Consumer and Community Involvement: Demonstrate how the views and values of consumers, the community, health providers, and other end users have informed the research, particularly focusing on priority populations.
- Partnerships and Collaboration: Evidence of academic, industry, and government partnerships that enhance the project’s potential for success and translation into practice.
2. Project Methodology (30% weighting):
- Research Design: The scientific quality and feasibility of the proposed research, including the research question, approach, tools, techniques, and participant diversity.
- Consumer Engagement: How consumers will be involved throughout the life of the project, ensuring that their contributions are integrated into the research design and implementation.
- Project Governance: The robustness of the governance arrangements, including oversight, milestones, performance indicators, and risk management.
3. Capacity, Capability, and Resources (30% weighting):
- Research Team Composition: The skills, knowledge, and experience of the research team, including the involvement of partners and the diversity of the team across disciplines, genders, and cultures.
- Consumer Support: The team’s ability to support and involve consumers, particularly those with lived experience relevant to the research.
- Resource Commitment: Demonstrated commitment of resources, including cash or in-kind contributions from partners, to ensure successful delivery of the project.
4. Overall Value and Risk (Non-weighted):
- Value with Relevant Money: The appropriateness of the requested budget, risk management plan, and overall contribution to the grant’s objectives.
- Risk Management: Strategies for identifying, documenting, and mitigating risks that could impact the successful completion of the project.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant?
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.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- a novel and/or innovative research project that addresses an area of unmet medical need, with outcomes that will be translated into health benefits for Australians
- a sound project methodology, including robust governance structures and appropriate activities and milestones
- engagement with community, end users, academic, industry and other partners in developing the project and the research question to be addressed
- an appropriate budget relative to outcomes, as well as a risk management plan
- a multi-disciplinary research team with the capacity, capability and experience to deliver the project in full within the agreed timeframe
Information to prepare for the National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant application
Here’s a breakdown of the key information and documents that applicants should prepare:
1. Detailed Project Plan:
- Project Description: Clearly articulate the research question, objectives, and the expected outcomes of your project.
- Methodology: Provide a comprehensive overview of the research methodology, including the tools, techniques, and strategies that will be used to achieve the project’s goals.
- Milestones and Timeline: Outline the major milestones of the project and the timeline for achieving them.
- Governance and Oversight: Detail the governance structure that will be in place to manage the project, including roles and responsibilities of team members and any advisory or oversight committees.
2. Itemised Project Budget:
- Budget Breakdown: Provide a detailed, itemised budget that covers all expected costs associated with the project.
- Co-contribution Details: For Stream 3, include documentation that confirms the cash co-contribution from partners, which must cover at least 34% of the total eligible project costs.
- Value for Money: Demonstrate how the proposed budget represents value for money, ensuring that the requested funding is necessary and will be used efficiently to achieve the project outcomes.
3. Risk Management Plan:
- Risk Identification: Identify potential risks that could impact the project’s success, such as delays in equipment delivery, issues with data collection, or changes in project personnel.
- Mitigation Strategies: Outline the strategies that will be used to mitigate these risks and how they will be monitored throughout the project.
4. Letters of Support:
- Partner Commitments: Include letters of support from all project partners, especially for Stream 3 where co-contribution is required.
- Institutional Support: Provide evidence from your organisation’s board or chief executive officer that the project is supported at the highest level and that the organisation is committed to completing the project.
5. Measures of Success:
- Alignment with MRFF Objectives: Provide a statement outlining how the project will contribute to the MRFF’s Measures of Success, as described in the MRFF Evaluation, Monitoring, and Learning Strategy.
6. Intellectual Property (IP) Arrangements:
- IP Management: If your project is expected to generate new intellectual property, include details of how IP rights will be managed.
See the guidelines and sample application form for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant
To apply, interested organisations must submit a detailed application through the business.gov.au portal
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant resources
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