Funding opportunities

Below is a list of grants available from the Central University or external funding sources with closing dates in the near future. This site is updated often so visit regularly to keep up with funding opportunities as they arise.

All applications for external research grants must be submitted through the University Research Office.

For regular updates on funding oppportunities subscribe to the Research Office weekly research bulletin. If you are interested in NIH funding subscribe to the NIH Funding Bulletin by clicking on the link and following the directions. If you are planning on submitting an application to an eligible NIH funding scheme please contact Yamini Sandiran in the Research Office on 02 9351 3877 to assist you with the application process.

If you would like some assistance with interpreting the guidelines or preparing your grant applications, contact Joanne Elliot in the Office of Research and Development.

Closing dates: July 08 | August 08 | Any time through the year

Group of Eight (Go8)- Australia-Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
The scheme is a joint initiative of the Group of Eight (Go8) universities and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The scheme aims to:
* foster research collaboration of the highest quality between Australian researchers from Go8 universities and German researchers.
* result in research outcomes and the exchange of skills and knowledge of mutual benefit to Australia and Germany.
Eligibility: Exchange participants must either be employed as academic staff members in a teaching and research or research only role at a Go8 university, or a PhD student involved in the research project submitted by an eligible staff member.
Application and Selection Process: One signed application must be submitted to Annette McLaren in the Research Office no later than: 18th August 2008 with an electronic version of the application also submitted by email.
Contact:Annette McLaren Ph. 9351 4153
Closing date: 18/08/2008

• NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) Scheme
  The Centres of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) Scheme provides funding for innovative, high quality clinical research to be conducted either by established investigators with a strong track record in clinical research and clinical training, or new clinical research collaborators.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3877
  Closing date: 18/07/2008
• NHMRC Program Grants for funding commencing in 2010
  The aim of the Program Grants scheme is to provide support for teams of high calibre researchers to pursue broadly based collaborative research activities. Teams will be expected to contribute to new knowledge at a leading international level in important areas of health and medical research. The scheme is available for all research approaches relevant to better health (ie biomedical, clinical, public health or health services research) and is typically for 5 years.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3877
  Closing date: 18/07/2008
• GlaxoSmithKline- Post Graduate Support Grants
  The grant award is to provide further financial support to a PhD or other post graduate research student or post doctoral researcher. The recipient of the grant will be in the field of human health. Please choose from one of the applicable fields below:
  * Respiratory, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal
  * Metabolic Diseases and Cardiovascular
  * Neurology & Psychiatry
  * Microbial & Viral
  * Proliferative Disease (includes Cancer)
  * Drug Delivery
  * Drug Discovery Technology
  * Prophylactic Vaccines
  * Non Therapy Area Specific Biomedical Research
  Contact: Ph. 9036 7076
  Closing date: 18/07/2008
• Pfizer Australia- Research Fellowships
  To be eligible to apply for a Fellowship, applicants should have a research-based doctoral degree in a scientific or medically related discipline, together with recognized post-doctoral achievements. A commitment to the establishment of a research career in Australia should be demonstrated by appropriate acknowledgement and support from a University or recognized local research institute. Ideally the applicant should have less then 10 year's post doctoral experience.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 21/07/2008
• The Leukaemia Foundation Research Grants in Aid Program 2008: Expressions of Interest
  The Leukaemia Foundation invites expressions of interest for grants-in-aid for research projects to support basic, applied and translational research in Australia into the causes, treatment and care of people living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders. Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative approaches to haematological problems, especially in the areas of basic or fundamental research.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3393
  Closing date: 21/07/2008
• The Matsumae International Foundation- 2009 Fellowships
  The Fund of the Matsumae International Foundation is based on donations from many Japanese people who have responded with goodwill to Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae's call. The fellowship is focused on furthering such fields of study as natural science, engineering and medicine. Applicants are free to select host institutions in which to carry out their research.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4467
  Closing date: 21/07/2008
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry: Research Foundation- Research Grants
  The American Academy of Implant Dentistry Research Foundation (AAIDRF) Small Grants Program is intended to provide limited support for meritorious dental implant research projects which include, but are not limited to, the following purposes:
  * To conduct research which determines the feasibility of a larger research project. This may be described as the conduct of pilot studies of venture research.
  * To develop and test new techniques and procedures.
  * To carry out a small clinical or animal research project.
  * To analyse existing data.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4469
  Closing date: 21/07/2008
• Glaucoma Research Foundation- The Shaffer Fund for Innovative Glaucoma Research: Preliminary Proposals
  The Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) supports new, novel and high impact clinical, epidemiological and laboratory research. Successful projects target one or more of GRF’s Strategic Research Goals, with an emphasis on collaborative pilot projects across disciplines. The GRF’s Strategic Research Goals:
  * Protect and restore the optic nerve.
  * Accurately detect glaucoma and monitor its progression.
  * Find the genes that cause glaucoma.
  * Understand intraocular pressure and develop better treatments.
  * Determine the risk factors for glaucoma damage using systematic outcomes data.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3393
  Closing date: 25/07/2008
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia- Travel Awards
  The Macquarie Group Foundation Diabetes Research Innovation Partnership aims to advance the level and impact of type 1 diabetes research in Australia.
  * Young Scientist
  JDRF invites applications from young researchers for grants of up to $2,500 to allow travel to research institutions or scientific meetings, for the purpose of furthering the researcher’s expertise in the study of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents residing in Australia.
  * Allied Health and Nursing
  The Allied Health and Nursing Travel Grants are funded by the Macquarie Group Foundation as part of this partnership. JDRF invites applications from young allied health professionals for grants of up to $2,000 to allow travel for the purpose of presenting their research relevant to type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents residing in Australia.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 28/07/2008

• Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF)- Research Grants: Mental Illness
  The Objectives of the Mental Health Fund is to provide financial support for research projects conducted in Australia, which have the potential to enhance the health of the community; to stimulate research activities within Australia by facilitating communication between participants in specified fields and to support specific research fields of research.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 01/08/2008
• Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF)- Geoffrey Betts Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mental Health
  The specific aims of the Geoffrey Betts Postdoctoral Fellowship are to develop and support an Australian Postdoctoral scientist with a strong commitment to research in mental health and to develop research capacity in the field of mental health.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 01/08/2008
• The Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR)- Pilot Grants
  The Alliance for Lupus Research is interested in applications in the following areas:
  * Human studies.
  * Research that takes advantage of existing or planned collections of patients or clinical materials.
  * Research that seeks to identify or characterize putative biomarkers.
  * Functional validation research that takes advantage of previously published genome wide association studies to determine which candidate genes/variants have an authentic role in human lupus
  * Research exploring the molecular pathways modulated by candidate genes/variants that may be pertinent to human lupus.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3393
  Closing date: 05/08/2008
• The National Heart Foundation & beyondblue- Cardiovascular Disease and Depression Strategic Research Program
  The Heart Foundation and beyondblue, the national depression initiative are partnering to fund strategic research in the area of depression and cardiovascular disease. This partnership aims to build research capacity and to contribute to better understanding of the links between depression and cardiovascular disease. Applications for funding are invited from researchers who would like to pursue research in this area. The aim of this Strategic Research Program focusing on cardiovascular disease and depression is to improve health outcomes for people with depression and cardiovascular disease or risk through the developing and testing of effective treatments and/or health practices. The program will support quality research that is practical, with specific endpoints and clearly defined pathways to care.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 08/08/2008
• Sids and Kids- Research Funding
  The Sudden Infant Death Research Foundation (SIDRF) call for applications for research support (which might include granting of Research Fellowships) in the field of sudden death in infancy. In our community as a whole, a few infants still die unexpectedly. Research is needed into the true incidence of prone sleeping/co-sleeping/how some infants who cannot cope with prone position can be identified/etc.
  * Various cultures and social groups within the community have differing death rates in infancy. Intellectually rigorous investigations into cultural, environmental and/or child rearing practice might elucidate that observation.
  SIDRF will be adopts a two stage selection process for awarding research funding. Stage one requires applicants to submit a short one or two page outline of their intended proposal including hypothesis, methodology, outcome measures, availability of resource material, statistical procedures and estimate of yearly funding.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4469
  Closing date: 13/08/2008
• The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation- Awards for 2009
  The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation offer the following Awards for 2009:
  * Project Grants
  Applications are invited for Project Grants for research in Otorhinolaryngology or the related fields of biomedical science to commence in 2009. Grants are for a period of up to three years and up to AUD$100,000 annually, and must be conducted in an Australian or New Zealand university, teaching hospital or research institute.
  * Grants-In-Aid- in otorhinolaryngology or related fields of biomedical science
  Applications are invited for Grants-in-Aid for research in Otorhinolaryngology or the related fields of biomedical science to commence in 2009. Grants are for a period of up to two years and up to AUD$50,000 annually and are restricted to equipment and maintenance, and must be conducted in an Australian or New Zealand university, teaching hospital or research institute.
  * Research Training Fellowships
  Applications are invited for Research Training Fellowships for research in Otorhinolaryngology or the related fields of biomedical science to commence in 2009. Individuals who are either medically qualified or hold a PhD degree are eligible to apply.
  * Overseas Research Fellowship
  Applications are invited for a one-term, four-year Overseas Research Fellowship, the first two years of which are to be spent overseas and the two subsequent years in Australia or New Zealand, for research in Otorhinolaryngology or the related fields of biomedical science to commence in 2009. Outstanding researchers, who are either medically qualified or science graduates with no more than six years total postdoctoral research experience or its equivalence, and who are Australian or New Zealand citizens are eligible to apply. Graduates from overseas with permanent Australian or New Zealand resident status not under bond to any foreign government, are also eligible to apply.
  * Senior/Principal Research Fellowship
  Applications are invited for a one-term, five-year Senior/ Principal Research Fellowship in Otorhinolaryngology to commence in 2009.
  Outstanding researchers, who are either medically qualified or science graduates with recognised post-doctoral achievements, who are seeking to establish a career related to research in the field of Otorhinolaryngology, who wish to undertake research in an Australian or New Zealand academic institution, and who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or are graduates from overseas with permanent Australian or New Zealand resident status not under bond to any foreign government, are eligible to apply whether or not they are working in Australia or New Zealand at the time of application. The Fellowship will be funded to a maximum of AUD$200,000 per annum all-inclusive.
  Please contact Gabrielle Fuller on the details below for a copy of the application form
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3307
  Closing date: 15/08/2008
• Cancer & Bowel Research Trust- Research Grants NEW!
  The Cancer & Bowel Research Trust objectives are to provide funding to scientific and medical research into the causes, cure and prevention of cancer related illness for all Australians, along with increasing community awareness of preventative measures into the causes of bowel cancer. Grants are offered each year to support research over a period of 1-3 years. The Trust does not fund programs of research. Grant assistance is intended to support work for which the applicants already have some or will have some support within their respective institutions.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 22/08/2008
• The Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia (MND) - Grants-in-Aid for research into MND in 2009 NEW!
  The MND Research Institute of Australia regards its role as one of providing seed-funding for research that is innovative and having a clear relationship to the causes, treatments and cures of MND, or the support of people living with MND. Accordingly, the majority of funds available through the Institute are for grants-in-aid of MND research in Australia.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 22/08/2008
• The Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia (MND) - Bill Gole Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2009 - 2011) NEW!
  The Bill Gole MND Postdoctoral Fellowship is directed towards postdoctoral scientists with a track record in areas of neuroscience related to motor neurone disease. A salary for a full-time research fellow will be funded at $72,500 per year for up to a three-year period. The applicant must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residential status. Applications should include a detailed research plan for a three-year project (which will be relevant to the cause, treatment or cure of MND), a full curriculum vitae, including the names of three academic referees who must provide reports before the deadline, and a covering letter from a sponsoring institution confirming that laboratory space and consumables will be provided for the project.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: 22/08/2008
• Children with Leukaemia- Project Grants NEW!
  The current call is for applications for projects which will advance the understanding of the causes of childhood Leukaemia. Priority will be given to projects investigating the influence of environmental risk factors on the basic biological mechanisms of childhood leukaemia development. We will not fund large case-control epidemiological studies except those which propose to use existing data or molecular epidemiology to test specific aetiological hypotheses.
  We are interested in the investigation of how mutations arise and their relevance to the aetiology of childhood Leukaemia.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3393
  Closing date: 29/08/2008

• Cure for Life Foundation- 2008 Ad Hoc Grants for Research into Brain Tumours
  The Cure for Life Foundation is a charitable organisation established to further the quality of medical knowledge and technical resources available to treat and care for people with brain and spinal cord tumours. The Foundation regards one of its roles as providing funding for small ‘one-off’ projects that have a clear relationship to the diagnosis, causes and management of brain tumours. Accordingly, researchers working in fields that are relevant to brain tumours are invited to apply for small ad hoc grants to support research in the calendar year 2008. Grants may be used for equipment, consumables, part-time staff support or ‘top-up’ funding for other grants.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: No deadline (perpetual)
• National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund (NDLERF)- Research Grants
  The NSW Health Drug and Alcohol Research Grants Program are administered through the Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Office. Each year a number of research grants are allocated to continue to contribute towards evidence based practice drug and alcohol services and programs in NSW. NDLERF’s current research priority areas are identified under the following headings:
  1. Supply reduction
  2. Alcohol
  3. Law enforcement workforce development
  4. Prevention
  5. Performance measurement
  6. Partnerships
  7. Evaluation and Best Practice
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4795
  Closing date: No deadline (perpetual)
• James S McDonnell Foundation- Collaborative Activity Awards
  The Foundation offers Collaborative Activity Awards to initiate interdisciplinary discussions on problems or issues, to help launch interdisciplinary research networks, or to fund communities of researchers/practitioners dedicated to developing new methods, tools, and applications of basic research to applied problems. In each case the focus of the collaborative activity must meet the program guidelines for one of the following program areas:
  * Bridging Brain, Mind, and Behaviour
  * Studying Complex Systems
  * Brain Cancer Research
  Contact: Phil Chaplin Ph. 9351 3393
  Closing date: No deadline (perpetual)
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)- Scholar Awards
  In an effort to expedite the progress toward a cure for type 1 diabetes, the JDRF offers a Scholar Award. This award offers sustained support for pioneering basic or clinical research aimed at fulfilling the goals of JDRF finding a cure for type 1 diabetes or its complications. The Scholar Award is designed to support individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose pioneering research to reach these goals. The Scholar Award will fund investigators with extraordinary talent and vision, who are willing to take risks and attempt new approaches to accelerate type 1 diabetes research.
  Contact: Phil Chaplin Ph. 9351 3393
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – Letter of Inquiry
  The Global Health Program Strategy invites established international organisations working on solutions to urgent health challenges in the developing world, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, acute diarrheal illness, and malnutrition. The Foundation works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world.
  Contact: Ph: 0011+1+206+709-3140
  Closing date: No deadline
• Human Frontier Science Program – Short-term Fellowships
  Short-term Fellowships are intended to support researchers early in their careers who wish to work in a laboratory in another country for example to learn new techniques or to support the establishment of collaborations in a new area of research rather than ongoing projects
  Contact: Ph. 9036 7075
  Closing date: Anytime throughout the year
  * To access the Short-Term Fellowship online form the applicant must first apply for a password.
• Ataxia-Telangiectasia Children's Project – Research Grants
  The A-T Children's Project® provides competitive grant awards for basic and translational research grants related to ataxia-telangiectasia. In giving these grant awards, the Project strives to assist respected scientists in developing a clearer understanding of ataxia-telangiectasia.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4469
  Closing date: Applications are open all year
• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – Humboldt Research Fellowships
  The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly qualified, early-stage researchers from abroad, who hold doctorates, to carry out research projects of their own choice in Germany.
  Contact: Ph. 9036 7075
  Closing date: Anytime throughout the year
• James S. McDonnell Foundation – Collaborative Activity Awards
  The Foundation offers Collaborative Activity Awards to initiate interdisciplinary discussions, where the focus of the collaborative activity meets the program guidelines for one of the following program areas: Bridging Brain, Mind, and Behaviour; Studying Complex Systems and Brain Cancer Research.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4467
  Closing date: Anytime throughout the year
• Harold Mitchell Foundation – Funding Grants
  The Harold Mitchell Foundation supports projects only in the arts or health areas which either, creates discovery in the arts and or health fields to break new ground; increases the capacity of communities to foster their arts and health activities and enables establishment of arts or health activities with real potential to take off and be ongoing.
  Contact: Ph: 9351 4153
  Closing date: No deadline
• Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds – Travel Allowances
  The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds travel allowances are aimed at supporting young scientists in acquiring experimental qualification necessary in basic research. Travel allowances are intended to enable the recipients to visit laboratories further a field in order to study clearly-defined techniques useful for their ongoing research and the work of their research group at home.
  Contact: Ph: 9036 7075
  Closing date: No deadline
• AusAid- International Seminar Support Scheme (ISSS)
  ISSS funds attendance at international development-oriented seminars in Australia and overseas. The scheme helps to develop knowledge and technical expertise in developing countries, and builds linkages between the government, academic and community sectors in Australia and our partner developing countries.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4153
  Closing date: No deadline
• The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) - Lise Meitner Program
  The Lise Meitner Program is designed to enable highly qualified researchers from abroad to work at Austrian research facilities and participate in Austrian research programs for the benefit of and to stimulate research in Austria.
  Please refer to website link below for more information
  Closing date: Anytime throughout the year
• The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation- Grants
  The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation creates meaningful and sustainable improvements in health and education for people around the world by developing partnerships and supporting innovative programs that actively fulfil the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company mission – to extend and enhance human life.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 4469
  Closing date: No deadline
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation- Conference Grants
  JDRF supports scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops relevant to its mission. Conference Grant applications are accepted for consideration throughout the year.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3393
  Closing date: No deadline
• Macquarie Bank Foundation- Project Funding
  The Macquarie Bank Foundation focuses its resources in six core areas – the arts, education, environment, health care, health research and welfare. We are also committed to projects specifically aimed at supporting indigenous communities. The Foundation’s funding criteria is flexible and open. We welcome applications from a diverse range of community organisations that are working in innovative ways to provide long-term benefits.
  Contact: Grants Project Officer Ph. 8232 7554
  Closing date: No deadline
• Wellcome Trust- Travel Grant
  This funds short-term visits by scholars based outside the UK, the Republic of Ireland or The Netherlands to one of these countries. Visits under this scheme may be to consult libraries or archives and to exchange views or work with colleagues who have similar research interests. Study or lecture tours, meetings of a professional or vocational nature, workshops, symposia and international congresses are normally excluded.
  Contact: Ph. 9351 3393
  Closing date: No deadline