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NHMRC – Targeted Call for Research: Strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Pipeline to Improve Health Equity 2026

NHMRC – Targeted Call for Research: Strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Pipeline to Improve Health Equity 2026

The provisional funding allocation for this grant opportunity is $5 million.

No fixed maximum grant amount applies. Funding is based on assessment of the requested budget, with peer reviewers able to recommend reductions to duration or budget to ensure value with money. Following peer review, top ranked applications are funded until the funding pool is exhausted.

Applications close: 4 November 2026

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This Targeted Call for Research supports research that strengthens the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce pipeline to improve health equity. A strong, culturally safe and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce is widely recognised as an enabler of health equity, building community engagement, improving access to health services and developing sustainable, culturally responsive models of care.

Significant gaps remain in understanding which workforce development initiatives are most effective across the full workforce pipeline, from attraction and entry through to retention, career progression and leadership. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce pathways are often diverse and non-linear, extending beyond traditional professional training routes to include vocational education, community-controlled organisations and broader workforce experiences.

Key Requirements

The Chief Investigator A must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold an appropriate work visa. The CIA must be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.

A maximum of 10 Chief Investigators and 10 Associate Investigators may be named on an application. Applicants can only apply as CIA on one application, and may not be listed in the CI team on more than two applications.

NHMRC requires consumer and community participation in the planning, conduct and reporting of the research. Applicants must detail how they will involve consumers and community in the co-design, delivery and development of the research.

All applicants must describe how their proposed research could benefit Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health and contribute to Closing the Gap targets. Applicants must also address the integration of sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation, or justify why these variables are not integrated.

Full application requirements, formatting rules, minimum data deadlines and assessment score descriptors are set out in the official program guidelines, which applicants should review in full before preparing a submission.

What is eligible for funding?

The objectives of this TCR are to:

  • Improve understanding of the enablers and barriers influencing attraction, education, recruitment, retention, career progression and leadership across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce pipeline, including diverse and non-linear pathways
  • Evaluate the effectiveness, sustainability and cultural responsiveness of existing workforce development initiatives, models and strategies, including contextual conditions supporting their success
  • Strengthen research and evaluation capability in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce through meaningful participation, training and leadership opportunities
  • Develop practical and culturally responsive tools, frameworks and measures to support workforce evaluation, planning and continuous improvement
  • Generate evidence-based recommendations supporting scalable, gender-balanced workforce development approaches and long-term improvements in health equity

Funding must be spent on direct research costs consistent with NHMRC’s Direct Research Cost Guidelines, including Personnel Support Packages, other research costs and equipment over $10,000 (capped at $80,000 total).

What companies are eligible for funding?

Applications will only be accepted from NHMRC Administering Institutions.

The Chief Investigator A must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, with supporting documentation consistent with AIATSIS guidelines held by the Research Administration Office of the Administering Institution.

PhD students may be named as Chief Investigators where critical to successful completion of the proposed research. There is no restriction on who may be named as an Associate Investigator, though Associate Investigators cannot draw a salary from the grant.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. 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.