Status: Closed
Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the NHMRC Ideas Grants.
Changes to Ideas Grant opportunity in 2026
Section 13.1. Information about fraud and corruption has been added.
Appendix E Guide to Applicants updates:
- Section 6.9, increased scrutiny at the application budget review stage:
*NEW* Section 4.3.9 Peer Review Guidelines: Peer Reviewers are required to scrutinise the requested budget in terms of appropriateness of the outlined costs. In the case of an inadequately justified budget, Peer Reviewers should provide specific and detailed recommendations to NHMRC in the Budget Comments field in Sapphire. - Section 8, new, additional check that any images of people are appropriately de-identified or informed consent has been given.
- Ideas Grant 2026 application form in Sapphire includes a new mandatory question about the integration of sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and/or sexual orientation in the proposed research.
Aim
The objective of the Ideas Grant scheme is to support innovative research projects addressing a specific question(s). The expected outcomes are:
- innovative and creative research
- funding of researchers at all career stages, and
- funding any area of health and medical research from discovery to implementation.
The scheme will provide particular opportunities for early and mid-career researchers. It is expected that the CIA will have the scientific leadership and skills to achieve the proposed project aims.
An Ideas Grant can be requested for between one and five years depending on the proposal.
NHMRC’s Research Committee annually reviews and recommends indicative budget amounts to be awarded across individual funding schemes. The provisional funding allocation for the Ideas Grants 2026 is $297.1 million.
The amount of funding for an Ideas Grant will be based on assessment of the requested budget. Applications must clearly justify the requested duration and budget and how they will support the proposed outcomes of the research. Peer Reviewers will consider this information and may reduce the duration and/or budget to ensure the research aims and objectives can be achieved while ensuring value with money.
DVCR Co-Funding
NHMRC grants applicants are required to submit a formal DVCR Co-funding request via Pure by the date for their Compliance and Eligibility check booking.
DVCR Co-funding is to support MQ researchers to successfully complete their proposed NHMRC projects by providing up to 20% co-funding on funds to remain at MQ. The goal is for the DVCR Co-funding to support MQ applicants by providing a ‘top-up’ of NHMRC salary rates (PSP’s), which are lower than MQ equivalent salary rates.
Applications for Ideas Grants are assessed by peers on the extent to which the application meets the scheme objectives. Applications will be assessed against the Assessment Criteria listed below.
- Research Quality (35%)
- Innovation and Creativity (25%)
- Significance (20%), and
- Capability (20%)
Research Quality: NHMRC defines ‘Research Quality’ for the Ideas Grant scheme as the quality of the project aims and the proposed research plan.
Innovation and Creativity: NHMRC defines ‘Innovation and Creativity’ for the Ideas Grant scheme as health and medical research that seeks to challenge and shift current paradigms and/or have a major impact on a health research area through one or more studies that creatively:
- develop or use novel research concepts, approaches, methodologies, technologies or interventions
- propose a reinterpretation, refinement, improvement or new application of existing theoretical concepts, approaches, methodologies, technologies or interventions, or
- integrate and adapt concepts, approaches, methodologies, technologies or interventions from other research fields or disciplines for a new purpose or in a new way.
Significance: NHMRC defines ‘Significance’ for the Ideas Grant scheme as the extent to which the outcomes and outputs will result in advancements to the research or health area.
Capability: NHMRC defines ‘Capability’ for the Ideas Grant scheme as the appropriateness of the applicant team and their expertise, the resources and access to additional personnel necessary to achieve the project aims. Capability is not an assessment of traditional track record elements, such as number of publications, grants held, or conference invitations. The CIA must demonstrate their ability to lead the project, including managing the project’s resources, personnel, budget and administrative requirements, in order to execute the project. Associate Investigators (AIs) can be included to strengthen the overall technical capability of the team (e.g. specialists such as statisticians), but they must not be essential for the leadership of the project. Consideration should also be given to the gender balance and development of new researchers within the applicant team.
For applications submitted in 2026:
Please note that our grant review processes have changed. Strategic reviews are optional, while Compliance and Eligibility(C&E) checks are mandatory. There are sufficient booking times available for all applicants, but we recommend booking early to ensure you have an ample choice of dates.
- NHMRC opening date in Sapphire: Wednesday 11 Mar 2026
- Strategic review (optional): Wednesday, 1 April -Thursday, 9 April, Book here
Note: April 3 and April 6 are Public Holidays - NHMRC minimum data deadline: Wednesday 8 April 2026 5 pm (ACT Local Time)
- Compliance and Eligibility check (mandatory): Monday, 20 April - Friday, 24 April, Book here
- Applicant submits final application in Sapphire: 11:59 pm Sunday, 3 May 2026
- Research Services submission to NHMRC: 06 May 2026 - 5:00 pm AEST
- Outcomes expected: Late 2026
Note: NHMRC locates all their Scheme documentation in GrantConnect. You will be required to set-up a username and password to access.
Notification Of Intent (NOI)
Note: Submit a new Notification of Intent form enabled by Service Now to inform University Research Services teams of your intention to submit an application for any upcoming Ideas grants. After completing the NOI form, you will be provided with updates about your funding scheme and sent valuable resources that will assist you in developing a highly competitive research grant application.
Complete a Notification of Intent to inform your Faculty and the University Research Services teams of your intention to submit an application. After completing this NOI, you will be provided with regular updates about your funding scheme and sent valuable resources that will assist you in developing a highly competitive research grant application.
NHMRC Information
MQ Resources
- MQ ID27 Ideas Grant Toolkit
- MQ ID27 Grant Proposal Tool
- MQ ID27 Ideas Grant Budget Calculator
- MQ Salary Rates, including on-costs (for proposals submitted in 2026)
- ATO Per-Diems
- Pure Research Management System
- MQ Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
- Creating a PURE Record
- NHMRC DVCR Co-Funding Request Form-New
Cancer Funding Information
Cancer Council NSW’s Grants Portal
Please register for Cancer Council NSW’s Grants Portal.
To do this, please follow this link, select the ‘Register now’ button, and complete the required information.
If you are applying for Cancer Council, your application forms will be reviewed at the same time as your NHMRC Ideas Grant. You must submit both at the same date and time of your booking calendar, however you MUST have a separate PURE record for NHMRC Ideas and Cancer Council NSW.
Certifications
These are built into Sapphire. No need to have separate certifications from CI's and AI's.
Workshops for Funding Commencing in 2027
- 2026 Ideas Grant Expert Panel Discussion
About: This session will bring together a panel of experienced Ideas Grant Assessors and Successful Applicants from Macquarie University to discuss how Ideas Grants are evaluated and to share key advice on developing high-quality applications.
In-person attendance is preferable, but a Zoom link is available for those who are unable to join us on campus. The session will not be recorded to encourage questions and discussion between participants and panel members.
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2026
Host: Dr Gillian Hulst
Speakers: Prof Amanda Barnier, Prof Simon McMullan, Dr Christina Perry, Dr Ole Tietz, and Prof Ian Blair
- 2026 Ideas Grant Developing your application
About: This workshop will provide advice on how to approach your NHMRC Ideas Grant as well as highlight key changes from the last round.
Presenter: Dr Gillian Hulst
Date: Monday 16 March 2026
Slides[PDF] Recording [Microsoft Stream]
- 2026 Ideas Grants Research Proposal Writing workshop
About: This workshop will help you develop a strong, competitive research proposal for your Ideas Grant application by providing guidance on narrative structure, communicating your research design, and alignment with funding priorities. The session will offer practical strategies for presenting ideas with clarity and impact, to ensure that your proposal is well-articulated and competitive.
Date: Wednesday 18 March
Host: Dr Gillian Hulst
- 2026 Ideas Grant, Innovation and Creativity, and Significance Writing workshop
About: This workshop will help you develop responses for both the Innovation and Creativity and the Significance statements for your Ideas Grant application. It will provide practical guidance on how to structure your responses to ensure you address the Assessment Criteria related to these sections.
Date: Thursday, 26 March