Indigenous Health Research Fund

About the Indigenous Health Research Fund

The Indigenous Health Research Fund is investing $160 million in Indigenous-led research to tackle health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Why it is important

The Indigenous Health Research Fund supports Indigenous-led research to tackle health issues experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It aims to improve health outcomes and close the gap on health mortality and morbidity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In 2016, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up about 3.3% of the total Australian population (around 798,400 people). Improving health and social equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is one of Australia’s most significant challenges. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people currently have a 10-year-lower life expectancy and 2.3 times the burden of disease compared to non-Indigenous Australians.

Objectives

The objectives of the Indigenous Health Research Fund are to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through:

• Indigenous-led research practice and governance
• knowledge translation
• evidence-based structural change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice
• building on the unique knowledge, strengths and endurance of our communities, with particular reference to Country, culture and spirituality.

Meeting our objectives

The Indigenous Health Research Fund Expert Advisory Panel has created a Roadmap and Implementation Plan. This will inform the Minister for Health and Aged Care on what is needed for research investment through the Indigenous Health Research Fund.

An international panel of experts reviewed the draft of the Roadmap and Implementation Plan on 17 March 2021. They gave expert feedback and advice in the relevant activities occurring around the world. See the Indigenous Health Research Fund International Review of the Roadmap and Implementation Plan report.

The community has also been able to give their feedback on the draft Roadmap and Implementation Plan between 14 December 2020 and 23 April 2021. See the Indigenous Health Research Fund Roadmap and Implementation Plan National Consultation Report.

The feedback from the international review panel and the national consultation, allowed us to change the final Roadmap and Implementation Plan.

The Roadmap and Implementation Plan for the Indigenous Health Research Fund were published in December 2021 and will be used to develop grant opportunities.

Who we work with

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funds the initiative.

The Indigenous Health Research Fund Expert Advisory Panel provides advice to the Minister for Health and Aged Care on the strategic priorities for research investment. The Expert Advisory Panel does this by creating a Roadmap and Implementation Plan. 

Our Health and Medical Research Office oversees this and other MRFF initiatives.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) administers this initiative. 

Apply for funding

View the MRFF grants calendar to see which grants are open, when applications close and when we expect to award funding.

Register with GrantConnect to receive notifications about future funding opportunities under this initiative.

Grants awarded

See a list of all MRFF grant recipients.

Contact

For more information, contact us.