mRNA Victoria Research Acceleration Fund (Round 3) – Australia

The mVRAF Program is designed to capitalise on Victoria’s comparative advantages in research, increase the RNA candidate pipeline of next generation vaccines and therapies and enhance the Victorian economy by growing the RNA ecosystem.

Two tiers will be offered under this round of the mVRAF Program, these are: ‘Tier 1’ for early-stage research projects and ‘Tier 2’ for fast tracking the translation of research into health and economic outcomes.

The mVRAF Program is designed to complement the Victorian Government’s existing Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund by providing a dedicated funding stream for RNA-based therapeutics projects. Projects submitted to the mVRAF Program will not be eligible to be submitted to the Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund.

Program Objectives

• The objectives for each tier of the mVRAF Program are:
  • Tier 1 – Early-stage research
    • Support innovative early-stage RNA-based therapeutics research, that is moved to proof-of-concept stage faster and will bring health and economic benefits to Victoria
    • Facilitate collaboration between medical research institutes, universities and industry that will maximise innovation and grow the RNA ecosystem in Victoria
  • Tier 2 – Research translation
    • Provide direct funding to ‘fast-track’ the translation of RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines research to increase Victoria’s RNA-based candidate pipeline
    • Facilitate collaboration between medical research institutes, universities and industry to support the translation of research into more commercially attractive products

Funding Information

• The third of the mVRAF Program will provide $1.7 million total (excluding GST) of funding across the two tiers as follows:
  • Tier 1 – Early Stage
    • Up to $100,000 (GST exclusive)
  • Tier 2 – Fast track
    • Up to $500,000 (GST exclusive)

Eligible Projects

• Projects should meet a current need or gap in a field of RNA-based therapeutics research. This could be, but is not limited to:
  • mRNA, siRNA, Cas/CRISPR RNA approaches and other RNA-based approaches
  • Both prophylactics and therapeutics including vaccines, cell therapies, treatments for rare diseases, infectious diseases and cancer.
• Projects looking to address key RNA enabling technology, such as novel nanoparticle encapsulation technology or novel modified nucleotides will not be eligible to apply to the mVRAF Program.
• Eligibility of projects will be determined at the sole discretion of DJSIR.
• Applicants are only eligible to submit a project to one tier of the mVRAF Program.
• Examples of eligible projects under the two tiers of this mVRAF Program are as follows (to be used as a guide only):
  • Tier 1
    • Early-stage RNA-based therapeutic research projects, including discovery, early-stage and preclinical research.
  • Tier 2
    • RNA-based therapeutics projects that can demonstrate a clear pathway to translation and can secure development and commercialisation opportunities.

Program Outcomes

• The intended outcomes of the mVRAF Program are:
  • Tier 1
    • Innovative early-stage RNA research that could grow the RNA therapeutics and vaccines pipeline is moved to proof-of-concept stage faster
    • Research collaborations increase the likelihood that the research can be successfully translated into economic and health benefits for Victoria and foster a more cohesive RNA ecosystem.
  • Tier 2
    • The pipeline of Victorian RNA-based therapeutic and vaccine candidates reaches clinical research and manufacturing phases of development faster and eventually are delivered to the public faster
    • Research collaborations support effective translation of research and foster a more cohesive RNA ecosystem

Longer-term Outcomes

• Over the longer-term the intended outcomes of the mVRAF Program are:
  • Victorian production of world-leading mRNA therapeutic candidates
  • Increased attractiveness of Victorian RNA therapeutics research to investors
  • Increased capability, knowledge, and expertise across the Victorian RNA research sector
  • Victoria’s reputation as a world leader in RNA therapeutics research is bolstered and attracts global investment
  • A stronger RNA therapeutics research sector supports growth of the broader RNA ecosystem.
  • A stronger therapeutic candidate pipeline supports a self-sustaining manufacturing industry

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must meet the following criteria, as assessed by mRNA Victoria and DJSIR, to be eligible:
  • Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN);
  • Hold insurance policies in accordance with the following minimum requirements:
    • public liability insurance to a value appropriate for the project; and
    • insurance against any loss or damage to the project infrastructure for full replacement cost;
  • Be one of the following entity types:
    • a company incorporated pursuant to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission; or
    • an incorporated association incorporated pursuant to the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (VIC) or equivalent legislation of another Australian jurisdiction;
    • education body established by statute;
    • a public health service established under the Health Services Act 1988 (Vic); or
    • other incorporated entity approved by DJSIR.
  • Applicants must attest that:
    • they can comply with the Co-contribution requirements specific to their project (in accordance with these guidelines) and provide evidence of this capability in their application;
    • they will participate in future mVRAF Program evaluation activities;
    • they will deliver the funded project in collaboration with a Collaborative Partner;
    • they will spend the majority of the grant funding in Victoria
    • research activities will predominately be led from and conducted in Victoria.

Ineligible

• The following entities are not eligible to apply for the mVRAF Program:
  • a Commonwealth department, agency or body
  • a State department, agency, entity or other body established under the Public Administration Act 2004 (VIC) or equivalent legislation of another Australian jurisdiction; or
  • unincorporated associations; or
  • partnerships; or
  • individuals/sole traders.
• Note: Commonwealth agencies, like CSIRO, are not eligible to apply for the program, but are eligible to be Collaborative Partners as long as they are not the primary/lead applicant for the program.

For more information, visit mRNA Victoria.