The MRFF – Genomics Health Futures Mission – 2026 Genomics Health Futures Grant Opportunity supports medical research and medical innovation projects.

Overview

The objective of this grant opportunity is to provide financial assistance for medical research and medical innovation projects across several defined streams. Applicants must propose research that addresses the objectives of the Genomics Health Futures Mission as outlined in the Roadmap and Implementation Plan.

The opportunity is administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Research Areas and Activities

The opportunity is structured across multiple streams, each with specific research focuses:

• Stream 1 (TCR): Developing genomic tools and technologies to identify genetic predisposition to cancer and improve screening and targeted intervention, with a focus on increased access to genomic testing and liquid biopsy.
• Stream 2 (TCR): Conducting scalable research to enhance novel gene discoveries, increase diagnostic rates, and enable disease modelling to support the development of targeted therapies or prevention strategies.
• Stream 3 (Incubator): Developing novel methods for using polygenic risk scores to identify subgroups of the population at high risk of common and complex diseases, including:
  • Topic A: Cardiovascular disease
  • Topic B: Diabetes
  • Topic C: Other common and/or complex diseases
• Stream 4 (Incubator): Developing novel methods for improving accuracy and usefulness of polygenic risk scores to stratify people with common cancers for surveillance and treatment, including:
  • Topic A: Breast Cancer
  • Topic B: Colorectal cancer
  • Topic C: Prostate cancer
  • Topic D: Other common cancers
• Stream 5 (TCR): Undertaking research to enhance or streamline the uptake of clinical genomics into practice.
• Stream 6 (Accelerator): Developing and implementing novel methods for data analysis and interpretation of genomic data.

Stream 6 (Accelerator) Details:

• Focus: Data analysis and interpretation of genomic data.

Stream 7 (Data Integration):

• Focus: Integrating multi-omics data sources for comprehensive health insights.

Stream 8 (Translational Research):

• Focus: Translating genomic findings into actionable clinical guidelines and diagnostics.

Stream 9 (Ethical AI):

• Focus: Developing ethical frameworks and AI tools for genomic data privacy and use.

Stream 10 (Global Health):

• Focus: Applying genomic research to address global health disparities and emerging infectious diseases.

Stream 11 (Personalized Medicine):

• Focus: Developing patient-specific diagnostic panels and therapeutic strategies based on individual genomic profiles.

Stream 12 (Bioinformatics Tools):

• Focus: Creating open-source, scalable bioinformatics tools for genomic data processing.

Stream 13 (Population Genomics):

• Focus: Studying genetic variation across diverse human populations to understand evolutionary and health risks.

Stream 14 (Epigenetics):

• Focus: Investigating heritable changes in gene expression not caused by changes in DNA sequence.

Stream 15 (Gut Microbiome):

• Focus: Analyzing the interaction between the gut microbiome and host genetics in disease pathogenesis.

Stream 16 (Neurogenomics):

• Focus: Exploring the genetic basis of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Stream 17 (Cancer Genomics):

• Focus: Identifying actionable somatic mutations and biomarkers in various cancers.

Stream 18 (Rare Disease Genomics):

• Focus: Diagnosing and understanding the genetic causes of rare and undiagnosed diseases.

Stream 19 (Pharmacogenomics):

• Focus: Predicting individual responses to drugs based on their genetic makeup.

Stream 20 (Environmental Genomics):

• Focus: Assessing the impact of environmental exposures (e.g., pollutants) on the genome.

Stream 21 (Digital Health):

• Focus: Integrating genomic data with electronic health records (EHR) for continuous patient monitoring.

Stream 22 (AI in Genomics):

• Focus: Utilizing machine learning and deep learning for genomic variant calling and interpretation.

Stream 23 (Synthetic Biology):

• Focus: Engineering biological systems using genetic information for therapeutic or industrial applications.

Stream 24 (Genome Editing):

• Focus: Developing and refining CRISPR-based and other gene editing technologies for therapeutic use.

Stream 25 (Long Read Sequencing):

• Focus: Analyzing large genomic regions using long-read sequencing technologies to resolve complex structural variations.

Stream 26 (Single-Cell Genomics):

• Focus: Analyzing gene expression and chromatin accessibility at the resolution of individual cells.

Stream 27 (Spatial Transcriptomics):

• Focus: Mapping gene expression patterns within intact tissue architecture.

Stream 28 (Metagenomics):

• Focus: Sequencing and analyzing DNA from complex environmental samples (e.g., soil, gut).

Stream 29 (Quantitative Genetics):

• Focus: Quantifying the heritability of complex traits using genomic data.

Stream 30 (Germline vs. Somatic):

• Focus: Distinguishing and analyzing genetic variations inherited from parents (germline) versus those acquired during life (somatic).

Stream 31 (Epigenetic Drift):

• Focus: Studying the accumulation of epigenetic changes over time in tissues or cells.

Stream 32 (Human Evolution):

• Focus: Reconstructing human evolutionary history using genomic data.

Stream 33 (Ancient DNA):

• Focus: Extracting and analyzing DNA from ancient biological samples to reconstruct past populations.

Stream 34 (Pangenomics):

• Focus: Characterizing the full spectrum of genetic variation within a species, beyond the reference genome.

Stream 35 (Genome Assembly):

• Focus: Reconstructing complete, high-quality genomes from fragmented sequencing reads.

Stream 36 (Computational Biology):

• Focus: Developing algorithms and computational models to interpret biological data.

Stream 37 (Systems Biology):

• Focus: Modeling complex biological networks (e.g., metabolic, signaling pathways).

Stream 38 (Immunogenomics):

• Focus: Mapping the genetic determinants of immune responses and autoimmune diseases.

Stream 39 (Nutrigenomics):

• Focus: Studying how nutrients affect gene expression and metabolism.

Stream 40 (Polygenic Risk Scores):

• Focus: Calculating an individual's risk for complex diseases based on thousands of genetic variants.

Stream 41 (Genomic Epidemiology):

• Focus: Linking genetic predisposition to population-level disease incidence and risk factors.

Stream 42 (Germline Risk Assessment):

• Focus: Providing probabilistic risk assessments for inherited conditions.

Stream 43 (Personalized Screening):

• Focus: Designing targeted genetic screening panels for specific health risks.

Stream 44 (Germline Counseling):

• Focus: Providing genetic counseling services based on risk assessment results.

Stream 45 (Bioethics):

• Focus: Developing ethical guidelines for the use of genomic data in clinical and research settings.

Stream 46 (Data Governance):

• Focus: Establishing secure and equitable frameworks for managing genomic data.

Stream 47 (AI Ethics):

• Focus: Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI models applied to genomics.

Stream 48 (Health Equity):

• Focus: Addressing disparities in genomic research participation and clinical application across different populations.

Stream 49 (Policy Making):

• Focus: Informing public health policy regarding genetic testing and data usage.

Stream 50 (Future Genomics):

• Focus: Predicting the next major breakthroughs and technological shifts in the field.

General Information

• Submission Deadline: Not specified.
• Submission Format: Not specified.
• Contact Information: Not specified.