NCRIS Pipeline Accelerator Voucher Scheme 2026–27

Primary voucher covers 50% of total access costs (excluding GST), up to $50,000 per project
Primary vouchers are for TIA, Phenomics Australia and ANSTO’s National Deuteration Facility (NDF) providers
Optional supplementary vouchers of up to $20,000 each from Bioplatforms Australia and Microscopy Australia, also at 50% of costs
Supplementary vouchers can’t be worth more than the primary voucher
Applications close: 30 October 2026

The Pipeline Accelerator is a competitive voucher scheme that subsidises access to Australia's national research infrastructure for projects developing new therapeutic products. Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA) runs the scheme in partnership with Phenomics Australia, ANSTO's National Deuteration Facility, Bioplatforms Australia and Microscopy Australia, all supported by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).

The scheme helps fund experimental development work that's often hard to fund through traditional competitive grants. It lowers the cost for researchers and SMEs to use expert facilities, and gives early to mid-career researchers a chance to build a track record in translational research.

Key Requirements

Project requirements

The project must aim to develop a novel therapeutic product
Must name the facility provider or providers to be used, with service quotes from each
The provider must confirm the project can start within 6 months of award
Must show awareness of current research, the unmet need or health impact, and next development steps
The funded activity must have a timescale of no more than 12 months and clear success criteria

Matched funding

Applicants must provide significant cash co-investment to cover the rest of the access cost
The source of matching funds must be shown, such as a grant reference or a letter from the host organisation, CEO or CFO

Supplementary vouchers

Bioplatforms Australia and Microscopy Australia vouchers are add-ons only, and must be requested with a primary voucher for the same project on the same application

Previous awards

Applicants who’ve received a voucher before must include a completion report for that award

Applicants should contact their chosen provider early, then review the Pipeline Accelerator 2026–27 guidelines before preparing an application.

What is eligible for funding?

Projects that use NCRIS-supported facilities to move a potential therapeutic forward, for example to:

Develop new assays to identify potential products
Generate key data for the next development step or for further grant or investor funding
Demonstrate proof of concept for a new product
Optimise potential therapeutics and solve technical problems
Develop manufacturing processes ahead of scale-up
Supply high-quality material for preclinical or first-in-human trials
Support clinical trials, such as material supply or analytics

Projects that use more than one participating facility, or that haven’t used the chosen provider before, are strongly encouraged. Applications using facilities outside the applicant’s own research or business unit are generally favoured.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Universities
Publicly funded research organisations, including medical research institutes and hospitals
University and medical research institute spinout companies
Technology incubators and similar programs
SMEs and commercial entities that meet the general eligibility criteria for the R&D Tax Incentive

International organisations may be eligible and should discuss their project before applying. Early to mid-career researchers and female researchers are strongly encouraged to apply as the main applicant.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive voucher scheme. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here.

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

This grant is open

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