Australia launches $5.9m brain cancer grants

The funding targets pre-clinical and early-stage research into new therapies.

Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has launched a $5.9m (AU$8.4m) brain cancer research grant round under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Australian Brain Cancer Mission to support translational research into new therapies.

The funding will support innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and translational pre-clinical and early-stage clinical brain cancer research projects.

Proposed projects must advance knowledge in at least two priority areas: the aetiology of brain cancer, identification and validation of new therapeutic strategies, and development of new therapies.

The NHMRC said the research is intended to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians by addressing key challenges in brain cancer through projects with strong translational potential.

It will also foster interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthen Australia's brain cancer research workforce.

Applications will only be accepted from approved MRFF Eligible Organisations. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed projects align with the objectives of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, including its Roadmap and Implementation Plan and Evaluation Strategy.

The grant opportunity is being administered by the NHMRC on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and Cancer Australia.

Individual grants will range from $704,000 (AU$1m) to $2.1m (AU$3m), with projects to be completed within five years of commencement.

Applications close on 4 November 2026. Minimum data submissions are due by 7 October 2026, and applicant questions must be submitted by 28 October 2026.

Applications must be lodged electronically through NHMRC's Sapphire online granting system.

Further information on the MRFF is available from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Lists of Mission Funding Partners and MRFF Eligible Organisations are available on the Australian Brain Cancer Mission and NHMRC websites, respectively.

(US$1 = AU$1.42)