This program provides funding to establish and extend infrastructure of critical importance, that will be used to conduct world-class health and medical research in areas of unmet medical need.

The 2024 National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative invests in research infrastructure to ensure Australian researchers find innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need. This grant opportunity has four streams.

Stream 1 - Innovation enablers

Addresses an area of unmet medical need by promoting the development and implementation of new research infrastructure by supporting development and/or expansion of research enablers such as biobanks, tissue repositories, novel research platforms, and secure health data environments to create valuable research resources.

Stream 2 - Digitisation of health care

Developing and translating into practice digital therapeutics, artificial intelligence enabled health interventions and technologies (e.g. wearables integrated into clinical practice), applications or other software for use in clinical practice.

Stream 3 - Co-investment partnerships

Utilising co-investment (cash only) with the research sector, state and/or territory governments, and industry, in significant critical research infrastructure (e.g. facilities, personnel and equipment):

• to support development of research capacity, capability and/or effectiveness in an area of unmet medical need, or
• to enable Australian research using new platforms, systems and services in an area of unmet medical need.

Stream 4 - mRNA technology enablers

Leveraging and enhancing emerging mRNA technologies, platforms, and/or equipment to accelerate development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics in an area of unmet medical need.

An application may only be submitted to one of the above four streams only. Applicants must specify the stream to which they are applying in their application.

Grants to fund research infrastructure projects, up to $3 million in Streams 1 and 2, up to $7 million in Stream 3 and up to $4 million in Stream 4.

Eligibility criteria:

To be eligible you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be incorporated in Australia

and in accordance with s24 of the MRFF Act 201515, be one of the following entities:

• a medical research institute
• a university
• a corporate Commonwealth entity
• a corporation (including businesses and not for profits).

Joint applications are encouraged, provided you have a lead organisation who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.

• Phone: 13 28 46