Funding for health and medical research infrastructure

The 2023 National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative invests in research infrastructure to ensure Australian researchers find innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need. This grant opportunity has four streams:

Stream 1 – Innovation enablers

Addresses an area of unmet medical need by promoting the development and implementation of new research methodologies or applications including omics’-led approaches and enhanced infrastructure linkage strategies.

Stream 2 – Digitisation of health care

Translates or implements innovative artificial intelligence technologies into health applications that:

• benefit multiple health disciplines/areas
• involve consumers in the research journey to ensure the research is applicable to the needs of the Australian community; and
• increase artificial intelligence workforce capacity and capability, particularly in relation to health, through cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Stream 3 – Co-investment partnerships

Utilising co-investment (cash only) with the research sector, state and/or territory governments, and industry, in significant critical research infrastructure (e.g. facilities, personnel and equipment):

• to support development of research capacity, capability and/or effectiveness in an area of unmet medical need, or
• to enable Australian research using new platforms, systems and services in an area of unmet medical need.

Stream 4 – mRNA technology enablers

Leverage and enhance emerging mRNA technologies, platforms, and/or equipment to accelerate development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics in an area of unmet medical need.

An application may only be submitted to one of the above four Streams only. An organisation may submit more than one application as long as it is unique - an applicant cannot submit the same project twice. Applicants must specify the Stream to which they are applying in their application.

The intended outcome of the research funded is to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians by enhancing Australia’s research infrastructure.

Reporting templates are available from the MRFF grants management webpage. The page also provides other resources for MRFF grant administration, including current policies and relevant forms and templates.