Annual Report 2015–2016

Targeted Calls for Research
The outcomes of Targeted Calls for Research (TCR) funding rounds are outlined in the table below.
Table 8
Funding for Targeted Calls for Research
Targeted Calls for Research Funded Amount
Preparing Australia for the Genomics Revolution 1 $25,000,000
Wind Farms and Human Health 2 $3,301,586
Preventing Obesity in 18–24 Year Olds 5 $3,494,036
Total 8 $31,795,622
In 2015–16, the NHMRC revised its framework for TCRs and developed a priority- and impact-driven set of
principles for consideration of a TCR. The new TCR framework will provide NHMRC with a mechanism to
respond to emerging research needs and prioritise potential calls according to relative need and impact.
Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases
In 2015–16, NHMRC participated in a Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases request for applications on the
prevention and management of chronic lung disease in low and middle income countries and in Indigenous
communities in Australia and Canada. The outcomes of this round will be announced in late 2016. NHMRC is
participating in the next Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases call which will focus on mental health. The call
will open in late 2016.
PART 2 Performance Report
Target 5: Periodic review of established funding schemes
Corporate Plan
Portfolio
Budget
Statement
Undertake reviews of established funding programs to determine
strengths and identify where improvements can be made.
Periodic review of established funding schemes to determine strengths
and identify where improvements can be made.
Achieved
Structural Review of NHMRC’s Grant Program
In January 2016, NHMRC announced the commencement of an over-arching review of the structure of the
NHMRC grant program. This review was prompted by concerns from the research sector about the impact
of the intense competition caused by the rapid growth in grant application numbers and the rising costs
of research, particularly the unsustainable burden placed on applicants and the thousands of expert peer
reviewers who evaluate applications for NHMRC each year.
The review is examining whether the current suite of grant schemes can be streamlined to relieve these
pressures and optimise the significant investment in health and medical research to achieve the best
possible health outcomes for Australians. An Expert Advisory Group was established to advise NHMRC’s
CEO on the review. It assisted in the development of a consultation paper to seek the views of the research
sector about possible alternative grant program structures. It is anticipated that the first stage of review will
be finalised by December 2016, with advice provided to the CEO about whether and, if so, how to change
the structure of NHMRC’s grant program.
Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015–2016
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