Up to $10M is available from GHFM Flagships Pathogen Genomics to support large-scale pilot research studies into pathogen genomics late in the research and development pipeline.
GHFM Flagships Pathogen Genomics
The GHFM Flagships Pathogen Genomics provides researchers with grants for large-scale pilot research studies into pathogen genomics late in the research and development pipeline aiming to demonstrate clinical and/or public health utility, cost-effectiveness, and capacity for translation of genomics in the clinic, in recognition that such evidence is critical to the adoption of genomics in mainstream healthcare.
Background
The Genomics Health Futures Mission (GHFM) is the centrepiece of the Australian Government’s $1.3 billion National Health and Medical Industry Growth Plan that was announced in May 2018. Funded through the MRFF, the GHFM will engage with communities to help save or transform the lives of more than 200,000 Australians through research into better testing, diagnosis and treatment.
The Flagships, which forms part of the GHFM, will run over nine years from 2019-20 to 2027-28.
Pathogen Genomics is the application of genome sequencing technologies to the characterisation and analysis of pathogens, for the purpose of informing clinical and public health investigations of, and responses to, infectious disease. For the purposes of this grant opportunity, pathogens are defined as microorganisms that are significant to human health.
Objectives
The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:
- clinical and/or public health applications of pathogen genomics to pathogens that are significant to human health, which may include but are not restricted to:
- improved management of infectious disease through more rapid, sensitive and specific detection of pathogens and diagnosis of disease (including infectious respiratory diseases)
- identification and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial stewardship
- characterisation of host-pathogen interactions and microbial populations
- development and use of precision medicine.
Funding
The Australian Government has announced a total of $106 million over nine years for the Flagship stream from 2019-20 to 2027-28. For this grant opportunity $32 million is available over four years from 2019-20 to 2022-23.
- $8 million in 2019-20
- $8 million in 2020-21
- $8 million in 2021-22
- $8 million in 2022-23
The grant amount will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs (grant percentage).
- The minimum grant amount is $1 million
- The maximum grant amount is $10 million.
The maximum project period is four years. You must complete your project by 30 June 2023. Any further extension to project period will be subject to the availability of program funds.
Eligible Projects
To be eligible your project must:
- be aimed at the purpose of the grant opportunity as outlined in section 4.1 of the Guidelines
- include eligible expenditure
- include one or more of the following eligible activities:
- research and development
- disease modelling (clearly applied in a clinical setting or for the purpose of public health investigation)
- clinical trials
GHFM may also approve other activities.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible you must:
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be incorporated in Australia
and, in accordance with s24 of the Medical Research Future Fund Act 2015, you must be one of the following eligible bodies:
- a medical research institute
- a university
- a corporate Commonwealth entity
- a corporation (including businesses and not for profits).
Joint applications are encouraged, provided you have a lead applicant who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.
Timing
Applications close 12 September 2019.
