FightMND National Research Infrastructure Grant Program (Australia)

Objectives 

• National infrastructure is critical for the research sector but current investment into research infrastructure in Australia is limited.
• The National Research Infrastructure Grant Program will address the underfunding of research infrastructure in Australia and focus on advancing national and sustainable research infrastructure for MND.
• The grant will invest in projects that establish new or expand on existing research infrastructure that will support MND researchers to conduct competitive and innovative research.
• Projects/programs should demonstrate a national approach to supporting research infrastructure for MND and should seek co-funding from other partners where applicable.
• Applications may be focused on the:
  • design and development of novel research infrastructure;
  • major improvements to current research infrastructure; and/or
  • continued operation of new and existing research infrastructure.
• Applicants are encouraged to strengthen existing research infrastructure wherever possible to reduce duplication and achieve the best return on project funding.
• The objective of this grant opportunity is to increase investment into health and medical research for MND in Australia to support innovative projects that focus on:
  • the most critical infrastructure for MND research; and/or
  • building partnerships that support the development of research infrastructure.

Funding Information

• FightMND National Research Infrastructure Grants are offered between the value of AUD $350,000 up to $2million in support of 3-5 year projects. Support will not normally exceed 5 years and applicants should submit proposals that are focused and compatible with a 3-5-year period.

Types of Project

• Types of projects or programs that will be considered may include, but are not limited to:
  • Virtual Australian MND Centre of Excellence
  • MND Research Institute
  • Centralised and integrated MND database
  • Clinical trial sites & satellites
  • Omics platforms
  • Biomarker facility
  • Gene therapy facility
  • Banks for research enablers (e.g. iPSC, brain banks, biobanks)
  • Real world data registry
  • Centralised platform for models of MND

Eligibility Criteria 

• The applicant must be the Lead Organisation. While the Lead Organisation may apply for multiple grants, the Primary Business Investigator and Primary Research Investigator may only be listed on 1 (one) National Research Infrastructure Grant application.
• The Lead Organisation is responsible for governance and financial management of the project and any reporting on the outcomes of the project according to the grant agreement.
• The Lead Organisation must have full accreditation and be based in Australia.
• Eligible organisations may include medical research or innovation institutes, universities, corporate commonwealth entities and corporations (including business and non-for-profit).
• Joint applications are encouraged, provided there is a Lead Organisation who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.
• Applicants must nominate:
  • a business lead, the Primary Business Investigator (PBI) who will take the lead role in directing and executing the business plan. and;
  • a research lead, the Primary Research Investigator (PRI) who will take the lead role in directing and executing the project plan.
• The PBI and PRI share collective responsibility in leading the project to completion.
• A person must not be named as a PBI, PRI or Co-Investigator on more than one application submitted to the National Research Infrastructure Grant program.
• Applicants should consider the management and administration burden of the project. Where appropriate, the same person may be named for both the PBI and PRI if relevant and rational for the project’s approach and where there is assurance that delivery of the project will not be compromised.
• The level of contribution and role of the Organisation, Primary Business/Research Investigator and Co-investigators must be clearly defined on the application cover sheet and detailed in the grant application.
• The project must be based in Australia.
• For the duration of the FightMND National Research Infrastructure Grant, the Primary Investigators must be based in Australia. Co-investigators may be based overseas.
• Co-Investigators should remain active for the duration of the grant.
• A CV must be provided for all Co-Investigators.
• Applications should include collaborators who have expertise and experience in the development and implementation of research infrastructure within Australia. Collaboration with experts based overseas is also encouraged.

For more information, visit FightMND.