Researchers

This theme aims to support Australian researchers, including to help build their skills and capacity, support their research in priority areas and assist them to develop and bring new research discoveries to the market.

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is the single largest boost to research funding in Australia’s history and has significantly increased funding for health and medical research. MRFF money adds to grants from other bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Researchers benefit from:

  • support for innovative research 
  • exchange programs
  • research funding directed to national priorities
  • assistance in bringing new discoveries to market

How to access MRFF grants

To apply for funding, go to GrantConnect
The Australian Government advertises all Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) competitive grant opportunities on GrantConnect.

If you want GrantConnect to notify you about future MRFF grants, you must:

  • register with them
  • enter ‘MRFF’ in the keyword section of your GrantConnect profile

MRFF initiatives under the Researchers theme

Our 2nd 10-year Investment Plan includes several ongoing initiatives under the researchers theme:

See all MRFF initiatives.

See more information about the MRFF funding process.

Grant recipients

Many researchers have already benefited from MRFF grants. 

Researchers speak

Listen to Australian researchers explain how the MRFF is supporting their work and the health of Australia. 

researchers speak

58:49

Medical Research Future Fund Research Administration Officer Webinar – 4 August 2022

In this video, the Health and Medical Research Office provides research administration officers with an overview of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant process. This includes the different phases of the MRFF grant lifecycle – from grant opportunity development to post-award management.
47:39

Medical Research Future Fund Webinar – 16 November 2021

In this video, the panel discusses the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy and related Priorities, Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) initiatives and grant opportunities.
1:16

Medical Research Future Fund – Associate Professor Jeanie Cheong case study

An expert in understanding newborn babies' brains, Associate Professor Cheong describes her work to understand and protect newborn babies from risks at birth.
2:33

Medical Research Future Fund – Dr Glen Begley

Dr Glen Begley (CEO of BioCurate) talks about how the Medical Research Future Fund helps turn groundbreaking Australian research into successful commercial products.
3:08

Medical Research Future Fund – Professor Alex Brown

Professor Alex Brown (Professor of Aboriginal Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute) talks about how the Medical Research Future Fund helps translate research findings into better health outcomes.
2:42

Medical Research Future Fund – Professor Helen Christensen AO

Professor Helen Christensen AO (Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute) explains how the Medical Research Future Fund enables a national response to mental health issues.
2:57

Medical Research Future Fund – Professor Ian Frazer AC

Professor Ian Frazer AC (Chair of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board) talks about the Medical Research Future Fund and how it is contributing to Australia's health.
1:03

Medical Research Future Fund – Professor Kathryn North case study

Professor North tells us how genomics is helping many children, who only 5 or 10 years ago would have been admitted to hospital for invasive tests, sometimes without answers.
3:35

Medical Research Future Fund – Professor Michelle Haber AM

Professor Michelle Haber AM (Executive Director, Children’s Cancer Institute) outlines how the Medical Research Future Fund helps push toward the goal of zero childhood cancer.
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