We use cookies to give you a better experience on our website. Learn more about how we use cookies and how you can select your preferences.
Funding for health and medical research infrastructure
MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure
Closing date: Tuesday 14 July 2026 5:00pm AEST Tue 14 Jul 2026 5:00pm AEST
What do you get?
Grants to fund research infrastructure projects, up to $3 million in Streams 1, 2 and 4, and up to $7 million in Stream 3.
Who is this for?
Eligible organisations that can support innovative medical research projects to improve health benefits for Australians.
About the program
The 2026 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
Address an area of unmet medical need by promoting the development and implementation of new research infrastructure by supporting development and/or expansion of research enablers such as biobanks, tissue repositories, novel platforms, and secure health data environments to create valuable research resources.
Stream 2 - Digitisation of health care
Translate or implement 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
Utilise 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. Applicants must specify the stream to which they are applying in their application.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant. You can apply if you:
- are an eligible entity
- have an eligible project
- have eligible expenditure
- are applying under Stream 3, are a member of a consortia that:
- includes at least one academic organisation and at least one other organisation which may be industry or state/territory government
- contributes at least 34% of project costs in cash.
The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.
You can apply if you:
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- are incorporated in Australia
and in accordance with s24 of the Medical Research Future Fund Act 2015, be one of the following entities:
- a medical research institute
- a university
- a corporate Commonwealth entity
- a corporation (including businesses and not for profits).
You can’t apply if you are:
- an individual
- a partnership
- an unincorporated association
- a non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- a trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
- any organisation not listed in the eligible entity list
- an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s list of Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme
- an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012).
Partner with other organisations
Joint applications are encouraged.
You can partner with one or more other organisations but you must decide who the lead organisation is.
Stream 3 applications mut be from a consortia (including the applicant):
- of at least one academic organisation and at least one other organisation which may be industry or state/territory government
- with combined cash contributors of at least 34% of the total eligible project costs, confirmed in writing.
The lead organisation must fill out the application form and enter into the grant agreement with the Commonwealth.
If we give your group the grant, the lead organisation:
- signs the grant agreement
- receives grant payments
- is responsible for making sure your group follows all requirements in the grant agreement, including all reporting requirements.
You must complete your project within 5 years of the project start date.
We can only accept applications that provide:
- evidence from your board (or chief executive officer or equivalent if there is no board) that the project is supported, that you can complete the project and meet any costs not covered by grant funding
- letters of support from each project partner/consortia partner
- a list of up to 15 Chief Investigators using the template on business.gov.au (max 15 CIs and none listed on more than one application submitted per stream to this grant opportunity)
- a detailed project plan (max 12 pages excluding appendices)
- a detailed and itemised project budget
- a one-page statement of how your project will contribute to the Measures of Success for the MRFF
- a detailed risk management plan (max 2 pages)
- details of IP arrangements
- trust deed (if applicable).
How to apply
Check if you’re ready to apply for a grant
Finding a suitable grant opportunity is just the start of the process to get funding. The application process can take time and effort. Understanding the entire process will help you be grant ready and may improve your chances of getting funding.
Use our checklist to find out what it takes to apply for a grant.
When you're ready to apply
When the online form is available you'll need to apply using our online portal:
- Create or log into your portal account.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
- Submit your application before the close date.
First we check that you meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible applications are then assessed against the assessment criteria by an independent committee of grant experts.
The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide should be relative to the project size, complexity and grant amount requested. You should define, quantify and provide evidence to support your answers. The sample application form displays character limits.
The program delegate will make the final decision taking into consideration the recommendations from the independent committee of experts.
This grant opportunity has 4 streams with the following assessment criteria:
- Assessment criterion 1: Project impact (40% weighting)
- Assessment criterion 2: Project methodology (30% weighting)
- Assessment criterion 3: Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (30% weighting)
- Assessment criterion 4: Overall Value and Risk of the Project (non-weighted)
Scoring information for all assessment criteria can be found at Appendix C and Appendix D of the grant opportunity guidelines.
Apply now
Apply for the MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity now.
Before you apply, make sure you:
- read and understand the grant opportunity guidelines
- read the sample application from and grant agreement
- review the key documentation for the program.
Sample applications
The best way to understand what information you need to provide is to start an application. We have also provided a version to download at the bottom of this page.
Technical help
See our customer portal's frequently asked questions to help with your queries. If you can't find your answer, contact us for assistance.
Contact
Need help?
Let us answer your question over the phone, email or live chat.
- Phone:
-
Open Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm across Australia
- Website:
Key documents
Chief Investigator template
xlsx · 0.84 MBMRFF grant management resources
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.
-
View the latest reporting template on the MRFF grant management webpage.
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing