NHMRC Tracker: Research Translation Strategy, AI Policy, and Funding Deadlines
NHMRC Tracker newsletters cover the new Research Translation Strategy 2026–2030, a revised generative AI policy, RRR Capacity Building grants, and consultations on drinking water and clinical guidelines.
The NHMRC has released its new NHMRC Research Translation Strategy 2026–2030 (the Strategy), which reinforces research translation as a core NHMRC focus and reflects NHMRC’s commitment to foster greater translation and commercialisation of health and medical research. The Strategy describes NHMRC’s role in research translation and includes an overview of key research translation pathways and stakeholder roles. It sets 3 priorities focused on strengthening partnerships, building capability for translation and commercialisation, and supporting equitable, high-quality research for public benefit. It aligns with the National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026-2036, and builds on existing NHMRC strengths such as the revised Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research.
The National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026–2036 sets out a 10-year vision for strengthening Australia’s health and medical research system and improving outcomes for the community. On Friday 26 June, NHMRC CEO and HMRO Assistant Secretary presented a webinar on the Strategy to more than 400 registered attendees.
NHMRC has revised its Policy on Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Grant Applications and Peer Review. The revised policy applies to all peer review for NHMRC MREA grant schemes from Tuesday 28 April 2026. Applicants may use generative AI to support application preparation but remain responsible for accuracy and integrity. Peer reviewers may use generative AI to improve the clarity and grammar of review comments, while relying on their own expertise for evaluation and scoring. The Australian Research Council (ARC) and NHMRC have released a joint statement on the updated guidance for the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by applicants and assessors.
Several public consultations are open. NHMRC is seeking feedback on draft guidance for ammonia, nickel and chlorate in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, including a revised health-based guideline value for nickel and a new health-based guideline value for chlorate; public consultation closes on Friday 5 June 2026. The University of Sydney is seeking NHMRC approval under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 for its Evidence-based gabapentinoid deprescribing clinical guideline, which aims to support safe, person-centred decisions about reducing or stopping gabapentinoids (pregabalin and gabapentin) in adults; consultation closes on Thursday 13 August 2026. The Australian Living Evidence Collaboration is seeking NHMRC approval for its Australian guideline for drug treatments for people with influenza who are critically ill, developed in response to preliminary results from the REMAP-CAP trial; consultation closes on Saturday 8 August 2026. NHMRC’s public consultation on revised Nutrient Reference Value recommendations for selenium closes on Wednesday 18 March 2026.
The Regional, Rural and Remote Capacity Building Grant Opportunity 2026 is now open for applications. Grants of $5 million each will be available, distributed over a 7-year period, with minimum data due Wednesday 19 August 2026 and applications closing Wednesday 16 September 2026. Other key grant dates include 2026 Synergy Grants, with applications closing Wednesday 1 April 2026, and MRFF grant opportunities including the 2026 Traumatic Brain Injury Mission (applications close 17 June 2026) and 2026 International Clinical Trial Collaborations (applications close 16 September 2026).
As part of NHMRC’s 90th anniversary celebrations, NHMRC is sharing a series of knowledge impact case studies, including research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute into kidney development and regeneration that is helping to tackle chronic kidney disease, and research at St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research that has contributed to the development of widely used therapeutics such as denosumab. The Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) form has been updated to v1.6 to align with the revised National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025, which came into effect on 23 June 2026, with a transition period until 25 September 2026.