What is the Rural, Regional and Remote Clinical Trial Enabling Infrastructure Grant?
The 2019 Rural, Regional and Remote Clinical Trial Enabling Infrastructure is a grant opportunity for new and innovative approaches to enhance and improve clinical trial infrastructure, to extend existing clinical trials into rural, regional and remote areas of Australia.
Background
The 2019 Rural, Regional and Remote Clinical Trial Enabling Infrastructure grant opportunity was announced as part of the Medical Research Future Fund and is an initiative under the National Critical Infrastructure Initiative.
New and innovative approaches to enhancing and improving clinical trial infrastructure (including facilities, research equipment, systems and services) – by extending existing or providing new clinical trials into rural, regional and remote areas – holds the potential to address many of the existing barriers, such as distance, geographical isolation and workforce capacity.
The intent of this grant opportunity is to provide initial stimulus funding for innovative approaches with potential for national application. It is not to be a source of funding for routine and on-going activities eligible for funding though existing funding mechanisms.
Objectives
The objectives of the grant opportunity are:
- improved facilities, equipment, services and systems in rural, regional and remote Australia
- improved quality of care and health outcomes for patients through quicker and easier access to medical treatments, drugs, therapies and devices, through participation in clinical trials
- reduced burden, costs and risks for patients and their families related to clinical trial participation
- increased research capacity, including linkages, leveraging and enhancements of existing local and national structures, organisations, facilities and/or workforce, with flow-on effects to broader health services
The intended outcome of the grant opportunity is improved access to clinical trials by Australians living in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia.
Funding
The grant amount will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs (grant percentage).
- The minimum grant amount is $5 million
- The maximum grant amount is $100 million
Eligible Projects
To be eligible your project must:
- be aimed at the objectives and outcomes in section 1.3 of the grant opportunity guidelines
- have at least $5 million in eligible expenditure
- include one or more of the following eligible activities
- minor capital works
- development/installation of research equipment
- employment of personnel
The grant 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 sections 20 and 24 of the Medical Research Future Fund Act 2015, be one of the following entities:
- a medical institute
- a university
- a corporate Commonwealth entity
- a corporation (including businesses and not for profits)
- a state or territory government
- a state or territory government entity
Joint applications are encouraged, provided you have a lead organisation who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.
Timing
Applications close 03 March 2020.
