National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative

National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative is sponsored by Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Provides funding for health and medical research infrastructure to enhance Australia's research capacity.

# Medical Research Future Fund – National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative # 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure Grant Opportunity This document shows the questions included in the online application form for this grant opportunity. It will help you prepare your responses and the mandatory attachments you need before you apply online.

MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 2 The online form captures the information required by the department to assess and manage your application for services and funding. The first page of the application page contains the following instructions.

# Internet browsers supported by the portal We recommend that you use the following browsers for optimum functionality: On Windows: The latest versions of Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge ▪ On Mac: The latest versions of Safari and Google Chrome On the following page you must enter your details and then select the program you are applying for. # Are you eligible to apply?

Before you start your application, you must answer some questions to self-assess whether you are eligible to apply. # Completing your application The application consists of separate pages, shown in a navigation menu on the left hand side of the portal page. You can navigate between pages using the menu or the buttons at the bottom of each page.

A warning message may appear if you have not completed all of the mandatory questions or if there is an issue with information you have entered. If a question is not mandatory it will be clearly marked – Optional. Once you start your application, you can save your changes at any time by using the Save button.

To prevent you losing your work you should save often. The portal will time out after 30 minutes if you do not save. Typing or moving your mouse does not reset the time out.

You must use the Save and Continue button to validate the information on each page. A tick indicates a validated page. You can modify saved responses up until you submit your application.

Once you start your application, you may invite others to assist, via the application summary page. To do this: ▪ select the Application summary link at the top of the page ▪ select the Participants button ▪ enter the details. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 3 An email will be sent to the participant inviting them to access the application. # Saving with multiple participants If more than one participant is working on your application at the same time you cannot save simultaneously. You should coordinate your entries to prevent losing your work.

# Submitting your application You must complete every page of the application before you can submit. You must also read and agree to the declaration which advises you of your responsibilities. Check all your answers before you submit your application.

After you submit, it will no longer be editable. If you require further assistance completing your application, contact us by email or web chat or on 13 28 46. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 4 Before you start your application, we need to first identify what type of entity is applying. If you are a trustee applying on behalf of a trust we will need details of both the trust and trustee. Before you start you should have your Australian Business Number (ABN) ready.

You must select from a drop-down menu the program that you are applying for. If you have been provided with an Invitation code, you will be able to enter it here which will select the program for you. ▪ Field 1 select – MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure ▪ Field 2 select - MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure When you have selected the program, the following text will appear.

The Medical Research Future Fund’s National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative provides funding to establish and extend infrastructure (facilities, equipment, systems and services) of critical importance that will be used to conduct world-class health and medical research.

The 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity will support Australian medical research and medical innovation projects, across four streams: Stream 1 - Innovation enablers Address 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 platforms, and secure health data environments to create valuable research resources.

Stream 2 - Digitisation of health care Translate or implement innovative artificial intelligence technologies into health applications that: ▪ benefit multiple health disciplines/areas ▪ involve consumers in the research journey to ensure the research is applicable to the needs of the Australian community; and ▪ increase artificial intelligence workforce capacity and capability, particularly in relation to health, through cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Stream 3 - Co-investment partnerships Utilise 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 MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 5 ▪ to enable Australian research using new platforms, systems and services in an area of unmet medical need. Stream 4 - mRNA technology enablers Leverage and enhance emerging mRNA technologies, platforms, and/or equipment to accelerate development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics in an area of unmet medical need.

Applications to this grant opportunity must propose research that addresses one of the four Streams of research. An application may only be submitted to one of the above four Streams. Applicants must specify the Stream to which they are applying in their application.

You should read the grant opportunity guidelines and sample grant agreements before filling out this application. We recommend you keep the guidelines open as you are completing your application so you can refer to them when providing your responses. You may submit your application at any time up until 5.

00pm AEDT on the closing date. Please take account of time zone differences when submitting your application. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 6 We will ask you the following questions to establish your eligibility for the MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity. ▪ a medical research institute ▪ a corporate Commonwealth entity ▪ a corporation (including businesses and not for profits) Is your organisation incorporated in Australia?

Do you have the mandatory evidence from your board or CEO that there is support for the project, that you can complete the project and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding? You will be required to upload evidence later in the form. Are you are applying for Stream 3?

If you select Yes you must answer the following questions Have you created a consortia that includes at least one academic organisation and at least one other organisation which may be industry or state/territory government? The consortia includes the lead applicant. Can the consortia (which includes the applicant) contribute at least 34% of the total eligible project cost in cash (not in-kind)?

You will be required to upload evidence later in the form. You must select yes to proceed to next section. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 7 # C. 1. Applicant street address You must provide your street address.

When you start typing the address in the field you can select the correct one from the drop down list that appears. If it is not there you can enter manually. # C.

2. Applicant postal address You must provide your postal address. When you start typing the address in the field you can select the correct one from the drop down list that appears.

If it is not there you can enter manually. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 8 You must provide the details of a primary contact for your application.

The primary contact is the person authorised to act on behalf of the applicant and we send all email correspondence to this person. If you are not the primary contact, we will send an email to this person to invite them to register as a participant in the application. It is important that they register, or our emails will not be received.

We recommend you let them know this. If these details change, inform us as soon as possible so emails can be redirected. ▪ Relationship to applicant MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 9 # D. 1. Indigenous organisations Is your organisation Indigenous owned?

An organisation is considered Indigenous owned where at least 51% of the organisation’s members or proprietors are Indigenous. Is your organisation Indigenous controlled? An organisation is considered Indigenous controlled where at least 51% of the organisation’s board or management committee is Indigenous.

MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 10 On this page you must provide the detailed information about your proposed project. If your application is successful, we will publish some grant details on GrantConnect and other government publications.

Published details include: ▪ name of the grant recipient ▪ a brief project description and its intended outcome ▪ amount of grant funding awarded. # E. 1.

Project title and description Your response is limited to 75 characters including spaces and does not support formatting. Provide a brief project description for publication. Your response is limited to 750 characters including spaces and does not support formatting.

Ensure your project description focuses on your project’s key activities and outcomes. Outline what it is you are going to do and how you expect to deliver a project that provides innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need. # E.

2. Detailed project description and key activities This information will be included in your grant agreement if your application is successful. Provide a detailed description of your project and key activities.

Your response is limited to 5000 characters including spaces and does not support formatting. Describe in detail what your project involves. What activities are involved and how are you going to implement them?

You must also provide a project plan which you should attach later in your application. Refer to the grant opportunity guidelines for the requirements of the project plan. This information will be included in your grant agreement if your application is successful.

Provide a summary of the expected project outcomes. Your response is limited to 5000 characters including spaces and does not support formatting. What result do you anticipate in undertaking this project?

Explain how this will help your organisation, referencing the objectives of the grant opportunity. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 11 # E.

4. Chief Investigators You must use the mandatory template available on business. gov.au to list up to 15 Chief Investigators (CIs) who have shared authority and responsibility for leading and directing the design, conduct and reporting of the proposed project, including the affiliations of each person listed.

All members of the research team must be listed as CIs. You may list a maximum of 15 CIs. If you include more than 15 team members, your application will be deemed ineligible.

Applicants must nominate a CIA who will take the lead role in completing the application, conducting the project and report on project outcomes. A person must not be named as a CI on more than one application per stream submitted to this grant opportunity. Have you confirmed that no member of your team (CIs) is named on any other application within the same stream for this grant opportunity?

* If they are identified in another application in the same stream, both applications will be deemed ineligible. List of Chief Investigators attachment The project length will be calculated by the start and end dates you enter. Your project must be completed within five years from the project start date.

▪ Estimated project start date ▪ Estimated project end date ▪ Estimated project duration (in months) # E. 6. Project milestones Provide measurable milestones you will reach while undertaking your project.

You may add up to 15 milestones. The milestone start and end dates must be within the project start and end dates. Your response is limited to 100 characters including spaces and does not support formatting.

Your response is limited to 750 characters including spaces and does not support formatting. Explain what you plan to achieve at this point in your project. Include details of key activities occurring by this stage.

If your project is successful, we will assess your progress according to agreed measurable milestones. ▪ Estimated start date MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 12 You must provide the address where your project will be undertaken and the estimated percentage of project value expected to be undertaken at that site.

If you have multiple sites you must add the address of each site. A project location must be a street address. Do not provide a postal address, institution or building name.

▪ Estimated percentage of project value expected to be undertaken at site MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 13 Provide details about all project partners. For details about project partners and their contributions refer to the grant opportunity guidelines.

▪ Australian Business Number (ABN) where applicable ▪ Other registration number where applicable ▪ Project partner letter of support attached (including details of contributions). MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 14 # G.

1. Eligible expenditure Enter grant amount sought below. We will add GST to this where applicable.

Provide a summary of your eligible project expenditure over the life of the project. The budget includes cash items only ( not in-kind contributions ), • Registered for GST - enter amounts exclusive of GST. • Not registered for GST – enter amounts inclusive of GST.

We only provide grant funding based on eligible expenditure. Refer to the guidelines for guidance on eligible expenditure. You must attach a detailed project budget later in the application form (you can include any in-kind contributions in that attachment).

Head of expenditure Financial Year Total Equipment (up to 50% of total eligible project expenditure) Labour on-costs $MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 15 Head of expenditure Financial Year Total Other eligible expenditure 2028/29 $MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 16 Head of expenditure Financial Year Total Total project expenditure $ Details of ‘Other’ eligible expenditure. Your response is limited to 750 characters including spaces and does not support formatting. Select which stream you are applying for.

▪ Stream 1 Innovation enablers ▪ Stream 2 Digitisation of health care ▪ Stream 3 Co-investment partnerships ▪ Stream 4 mRNA technology enablers # G. 3. Grant amount sought Enter grant amount sought $ The maximum grant amount under this grant opportunity for a single grant is: ▪ $3 million in Stream 1, Stream 2 and Stream 4 ▪ $7 million in Stream 3.

Grants funded under Stream 3 will be funded under a co-funding model. The consortia (which includes the applicant) must contribute at least 34% of the total eligible project cost in cash.

You will need to provide the following information for all other sources of (cash) funding Contributors are divided into the following types Other Commonwealth government grants Other non-Commonwealth government grants Other non-government contribution Value of contribution (cash only) MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 17 You may need to provide details around whether your contribution is sourced from bank loans, equity or cash flow etc. Where you are receiving other government funding you will need to provide details. For Stream 3 applications, the total cash project budget must equal the sum of the grant amount and the cash contribution (at least 34%) from the consortia.

MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 18 You must address all assessment criteria in your application. We will assess your application based on the weighting given to each technical criterion and against the non-weighted (non-technical) assessment criterion.

The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide in your application should be relative to the project size, complexity and grant amount requested. You should define, quantify and provide evidence to support your answers. Size limits apply to all responses.

We will only award funding to applications that score satisfactorily against all criteria. # H. 1.

Assessment criterion 1 (40% weighting) Your response is limited to 5000 characters including spaces and does not support formatting. Project Impact is the extent to which the project’s research outputs will contribute to meaningful advances in health outcomes, practice and/or policy, consistent with the objectives and outcomes described in section 2. 3.

The assessment of Project Impact will also consider the project’s contribution to the objective of the Initiative as described in section 2. 2 and your statement against the MRFF Measures of Success .

In your response to this criterion, you should ensure that you: ▪ describe how the project builds upon existing knowledge to progress the area of research and how the research outcomes will contribute to meaningful advances in health outcomes, practice and/or policy in Australia ▪ demonstrate how the views and values of consumers, the community, health providers and/or other end users have informed the proposed research, including how the needs and priorities of consumers (particularly those with lived experience and their carers) have informed the research question ▪ demonstrate the involvement of academic, industry, state/territory, and/or other partners in the project and how their needs and views have informed its conceptualisation, development and planned translation and implementation.

In addition, applications that specifically focus on the health of priority populations (defined as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, older people experiencing diseases of ageing, people with rare or currently untreatable diseases/conditions, people in remote/rural communities, people with a disability, individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTIQ+ people, youth), should: ▪ describe how the anticipated outputs will contribute to meaningful advances in health outcomes, practice and/or policy for the priority population ▪ demonstrate how the proposed research focuses on interventions that will be acceptable (e.g. culturally appropriate) to the priority population MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 19 ▪ demonstrate leadership by, and involvement of, the priority population in the project, and how their needs, views and values have informed its conceptualisation, development and planned implementation. Further instructions are in section 7. 1 of the guidelines.

# H. 2. Assessment criterion 2 (30% weighting) Your response is limited to 5000 characters including spaces and does not support formatting.

Project Methodology is a description of the design and conduct of the proposed research in the form of a project plan. The assessment of Project Methodology will consider the scientific quality and feasibility of the project plan and its ability to deliver on the project’s intended outcomes. Projects are expected to be original and build on (rather than duplicate) research that has already been undertaken.

In your response to this criterion, you should ensure you clearly articulate: ▪ the research question and the proposed approach for addressing it, including (as appropriate) tools and techniques, participants (e.g. diversity of participants), interventions, controls, statistical approaches, and strategies for data collection and use ▪ how consumers will be involved in the proposed research, including their contributions throughout the life of the project ▪ arrangements for project governance and oversight to support its successful delivery.

▪ appropriate milestones, performance indicators and timeframes. In addition, applications that specifically focus on the health of priority populations should also articulate how the proposed methodology includes strong and meaningful leadership and involvement of the priority population, including its people, communities and organisations.

If your project plan includes the conduct of a clinical trial, your response should also: ▪ provide details of the trial design ▪ specify and justify recruitment targets (including targets for ensuring diversity, e.g. by gender) and sample sizes ▪ articulate how the clinical trial design will support advancement of robust clinical trial methodologies and/or protocols ▪ describe how consumers have been involved in the trial design (e.g. its conception, protocol and schedule, participant information, consent forms or videos).

Further instructions are in section 7. 1 of the guidelines. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 20 # H. 3. Assessment criterion 3 (30% weighting) Your response is limited to 5000 characters including spaces and does not support formatting.

Capacity, capability, and resources to deliver the project Capacity, Capability and Resources is the relevant skills, knowledge, experience and resources the research team and any partners are contributing to the project.

The assessment of Capacity, Capability and Resources will consider the overall composition of the research team, the contribution of individual researchers to the project, and the involvement of partners in the successful delivery of the project.

In your response to this criterion, you should ensure that you demonstrate: ▪ the research team has an appropriate mix of skills (scientific, project management, etc) to undertake the proposed research ▪ the research team includes individuals that bring diverse experiences and expertise (e.g. across disciplines, genders, cultures, lived experience relevant to the research question, career stages and research sectors) ▪ the research team has the skills, experience and capacity to involve and support consumers (including those with lived experience) in the proposed research, and ensure that this is done appropriately and effectively ▪ the commitment of partners to the project and how any cash or in-kind contributions will support its successful delivery.

In addition, applications that specifically focus on the health of priority populations should demonstrate that the research team includes leadership by the priority population, and that the research team has experience in delivering research that has positively impacted health policies and programs of relevance to the priority population.

Each Chief Investigator should provide an example of how they have used their skills, knowledge and/or experience to contribute to meaningful advances in health outcomes, practice and/or policy relevant to the proposed research.

Applicants should note that Chief Investigators may choose, but are not required, to provide elements of academic track record (e.g. publications, grants held, conference invitations) as evidence of impact at their own discretion. # H. 4.

Assessment criterion 4 (non-weighted) Overall Value and Risk of the Project Overall Value and Risk is the extent to which the project’s research outputs will meaningfully contribute to the objective/s and intended outcomes of the grant opportunity, the Initiative, and the MRFF more broadly.

Your response to this criterion will consist of your Measures of Success statement, proposed budget, and risk management plan submitted with your application. The assessment of Overall Value and Risk will consider: MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 21 ▪ the relative contribution of the outcomes or results you have identified in your Measures of Success statement to the intended outcomes of the grant opportunity, the goal and aims of the Initiative, and the MRFF ▪ the appropriateness of the requested budget (including the value and type of any cash or in-kind contributions) to support successful delivery of the project, including whether it is sufficiently detailed and justified and represents value with relevant money ▪ the appropriateness of the risk management plan, including strategies for identifying, documenting, monitoring and reporting on key risks to the completion of the project, including any declared conflicts of interest relevant to the proposed research (see section 13.

1 of the guidelines). Refer section 7. 1 and to the Rating Scale for Overall Value and Risk in the guidelines for further information.

MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 22 # I. Bank account details # I.

1. Bank account details If your application is successful, we will need to set up a payment process to pay your grant. We need your bank account details to do this.

If your application is not successful we will not process these details. We can only pay grant funding to the applicant organisation, who if successful will be party to a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. You must provide bank account details for this organisation.

All payments are in AU$ and must be made into an account with an Australian financial institution. We will send the payment remittance advice to this person. All other notifications are sent to the primary contact.

Phone number MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 23 # J. Application finalisation You must answer the following questions and add any supporting documentation required.

# J. 1. Conflict of interest Do you have any perceived or existing conflicts of interest to declare?

Refer to the grant opportunity guidelines for further information on your conflict of interest responsibilities. If yes, describe the perceived or existing conflicts of interest. Your response is limited to 750 characters including spaces and does not support formatting.

If yes, describe how you anticipate managing this conflict. Your response is limited to 750 characters including spaces and does not support formatting. # J.

2. Additional information Attach additional supporting documentation here. You should only attach documents that we have requested.

The total of all attachments cannot exceed 50 MB. Individual files must be smaller than 25 MB, and be one of the following types: docx, rtf, pdf, xlsx, csv, jpg, jpeg, png, gif. Filenames should only include letters or numbers and should be fewer than 40 characters.

You must attach a detailed project plan, including your project methodology and feasibility analysis ( maximum of 12 pages excluding appendices ). A detailed and itemised project budget, including but not limited to disaggregation by project component and Financial Year (FY), and your related fee card.

Measures of Success for the MRFF Statement of how your project will contribute to the Measures of Success for the MRFF described in the MRFF Evaluation, Monitoring and Learning Strategy in a table format with the following headings: MRFF Measure of Success; How the project will contribute towards the measure of success; description of outcome or result against which the contribution will be evaluated ( maximum one page ).

A detailed risk management plan, and any supporting documentation, describing how you propose to monitor, manage and report identified risks including risks that may arise during your project ( maximum two pages ).

Evidence of support for your Board You must provide evidence from your board (or chief executive officer or equivalent if there is no board) that your project is supported and that you can complete the project and meet the MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business. gov.au October 2025 24 costs of the project not covered by grant funding, using template provided on business.

gov.au. Intellectual property (IP) arrangements (where applicable) Details of intellectual property (IP) arrangements as an attachment - only if this is not included within the written content of the application. Trust deed (where applicable) Where you have indicated your entity type is a trustee applying on behalf of a trust, you must attach trust documents showing the relationship of the incorporated trustee to the trust.

Your responses help us improve the design and delivery of programs. They will not affect the assessment or outcome of this application. How did you hear about this grant opportunity?

Did you read the grant opportunity guidelines? If yes, how useful were the guidelines in completing your application? We welcome any additional feedback on the guidelines.

How satisfied were you with the process of applying for this grant? We welcome any additional feedback on the application process You may select from a drop-down menu for each question and can provide additional comments if you would like. MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure grant opportunity application requirements | business.

gov.au October 2025 25 In order to submit your application you will be required to agree to the following declaration. # K. 1.

Privacy and confidentiality provisions I acknowledge that this is an Australian Government program and that the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (the department) will use the information I provide in accordance with the following: ▪ Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles ▪ grant opportunity guidelines ▪ applicable Australian laws.

Accordingly, I understand that the department may collect, use and share my personal information provided in this application within this department and other government agencies: a. for purposes directly related to administering the program, including governance, research and the distribution of funds to successful applicants b. to facilitate research, assessment, monitoring and analysis of other programs and activities c.

for the purposes of due diligence, preventing, detecting, investigating or dealing with suspected fraud in grant applications and related processes unless otherwise prohibited by law.

I understand that where I am successful in obtaining a grant, the financial information that I provide for the purposes of payment will be accessible to departmental staff to enable payments to be made through the department’s accounts payable software sys tem. I understand that information that is deemed ‘confidential’ in accordance with the grant opportunity guidelines may also be shared for a relevant Commonwealth purpose.

The department will publish information on individual grants in the public domain, including on the department’s website, unless otherwise prohibited by law. # K. 2.

Applicant declaration I declare that I have read and understood the grant opportunity guidelines, including the grant agreement, privacy, confidentiality and disclosure provisions. I declare that the proposed