The MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure invests in research infrastructure to ensure Australian researchers find innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need. This grant opportunity supports the development and enhancement of facilities, platforms, and enabling technologies that strengthen Australia's health and medical research capacity.

Overview

Administered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, this open competitive grant opportunity offers a total of AUD $85,000,000 across four distinct streams. Applications may only be submitted to one stream, and applicants must specify the stream in their application. The opportunity is available in all Australian states and territories: ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS, and Administered Territories.

Research Streams

Stream 1 – Innovation enablers
Addresses an area of unmet medical need by promoting the development and implementation of new research infrastructure. Supports the development 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
Translates or implements innovative artificial intelligence technologies into health applications that benefit multiple health disciplines or areas, involve consumers in the research journey, and increase artificial intelligence workforce capacity and capability in health through cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Stream 3 – Co-investment partnerships
Utilises cash co-investment with the research sector, state or territory governments, and industry in significant critical research infrastructure such as facilities, personnel and equipment. Supports development of research capacity, capability or effectiveness in an area of unmet medical need, or enables Australian research using new platforms, systems and services.

Stream 4 – mRNA technology enablers
Leverages and enhances emerging mRNA technologies, platforms, or equipment to accelerate development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics in an area of unmet medical need.

Eligibility

Applicants must have an Australian business number (ABN), be incorporated in Australia, and, in accordance with s24 of the Medical Research Future Fund Act 2015, be one of the following entities:

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

Ineligible applicants include individuals, partnerships, unincorporated associations, non-corporate Commonwealth entities, trusts (though an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust), organisations on the National Redress Scheme’s list of institutions that have not joined or signified intent to join, and employers of 100 or more employees that have not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012).

Joint applications are encouraged. Applicants may partner with one or more organisations and must designate a lead organisation. Stream 3 applications must be from a consortia of at least one academic organisation and at least one other organisation (industry or state/territory government), with combined cash contributors of at least 34% of total eligible project costs, confirmed in writing. The lead organisation completes the application form, signs the grant agreement, receives payments, and ensures all reporting requirements are met.

Application Process

Applications open on 18 February 2026. To apply, visit www.business.gov.au/2026-NCRI. Full eligibility criteria and application requirements are available in the grant opportunity guidelines.

Deadline and Contact

Deadline: 14 July 2026 at 5:00 pm ACT Local Time.

Contact Information:
Phone: 13 28 46
Email: NCRI@industry.gov.au
Web: www.business.gov.au/2026-NCRI

For further assistance, visit the business.gov.au contact page for phone, email and web chat options.