Below is a comprehensive list of all available grant and funding opportunities:

Pfizer Research Grants. Multiple programs throughout the year.

Global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies.

Pfizer’s competitive grant program involves a publicly posted Request for Proposal (RFP) that provides detail regarding a specific area of interest and sets timelines for review and approval.

Organizations are invited to submit an application addressing the specific gaps in research, practice or care as outlined in the specific RFP.

The grant requester (and ultimately the grantee) is responsible for the design, implementation, sponsorship, and conduct of the independent initiative supported by the grant, including compliance with any regulatory requirements.

Cancer Council Research Fellowships

Early-career and mid-career researchers to undertake high-quality translational cancer research that will improve the prevention, detection, treatment and care for people affected by cancer.

Fellowships are available to researchers who have not previously received significant research funding, helping to establish them as future leaders in cancer research.

Early-Career Research Fellowships are up to $450,000 and Mid-Career Research Fellowships are up to $700,000. For both biomedical research and non-biomedical research.

Applications close 3 June.

Scope - Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald Research Grant

Support researchers with disability to carry out a project that aims to improve the lives of people with disability.

Early-career researchers who completed their PhD up to five years ago (excluding career disruptions) and are employed at an Australian university or other setting, such as a community service organisation.

The grant is for a 1–2 year research project that aligns with Scope’s research priority areas. Funds can be used to support a new project or an existing project where there is a funding gap.

Up to $30,000.

Applications close 6 June.

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Discovery or translational laboratory-based research and should also demonstrate focus on one or more of the OCRF research objectives to better prevent, detect or treat ovarian cancer.

Research priorities: - Finding New and Effective Treatments, - Managing Recurrence, - Early Detection, - Prevention.

The OCRF offers multi-year grants with funding periods considered between one (1) and three (3) years. Grant sizes not mentioned. 

Applications close 9 June.

Brain Foundation

Research into brain diseases, disorders and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments and patient outcomes. Support individual researchers and research teams to conduct the highest quality research in clinical neuroscience. Provide opportunities as a chief investigator for early career researchers to gain funding for projects with potential.

There are a very wide range of categories.

Up to $40,000.

Applications close 13 June.

Edwards Lifesciences Foundation - Research Grants

Supports independent programs that further clinical knowledge, scientific exchange, medical education, and delivery of effective therapies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring.

Research Grants. 

In-kind or monetary support for unsolicited investigator-initiated studies (“IIS”) in the area of heart valve science and hemodynamic monitoring. - These studies, developed and sponsored by an independent investigator or academic sponsor, should address meaningful clinical or scientific questions / needs consistent with Edwards Lifesciences’ strategic areas of focus, with identified research milestone deliverables. - Example: TAVI or SAVR outcomes and analysis, national heart valve database / real world evidence studies.

Education Grants.

Financial or in-kind support for a bona fide independent educational program that further clinical knowledge, scientific exchange and delivery of effective therapies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, in alignment with Edwards Lifesciences’ educational objectives. Programs of interest consist of continuing medical education / training of healthcare professionals, education for patients, and indirect sponsorship for participation in a third-party educational event. 

Applications close 15 June.

Avant Foundation grants

Supports Avant members to improve quality, safety and professionalism in medicine. Open to all Avant members, with a special focus on supporting early career doctors. Also open to practices with an Avant indemnity policy.

Aims to advance the careers of some of Australia’s promising medical researchers while improving medical practice. Aims to inspire confidence and empower researchers and be a leading research partner in Australia for doctors.

$50,000 grants – these grants fund research over a 12–month period

$25,000 grants – these grants fund research over a 12–month period

$5,000 microgrants. Microgrants have a broader purpose and may be for education, career development or an initial research phase.

One applicant each year is awarded the Miss Lewis Award, which provides $5,000 in addition to their grant funding.

Applications close 25 June.

MND Australia - PhD Scholarship Top-up Grant

Top-up grants (up to three years) will be available in 2024 for a PhD student who has been awarded a full PhD scholarship for biomedical or public health research in motor neurone disease.

The MNDRA PhD Scholarship Top-up Grant is awarded as an incentive to an outstanding PhD student. MND researchers working in Australia in applied research or fields relevant to the cause, treatment or cure of MND.

Up to $5000 per year for 3 years.

Opens in July. 

State Trustees: Tuberculosis. Consists of The John Burge Trust and The Thelma June Warren Donation.

The John Burge Trust Fund aim to ease the suffering from, support the treatment of and prevent the spread of TB.

The Thelma June Warren Donation aims to:

Support the fight against TB in regions most afflicted by the disease.
Aid and help those who are suffering, or have suffered from, TB and who by reason of the disease are disabled.
Provide funds to implement programs for identifying and treating those persons who are at a higher risk than other members of the population of having or contracting TB.
Provide funds to implement educational programs to inform health workers about the prevention, recognition, and treatment of TB.

Three-year grants of up to $110,000 per year.

Opens July.

MS Australia

Incubator grants.

Incubator grants provide seed funding for the early stages of innovative new research efforts, with the aim of generating preliminary data needed to support future grant applications.

Up to $25,000. 

Postgraduate Scholarships.

Students who plan to undertake a PhD or are currently undertaking a PhD at an Australian university, working in the field of MS.

Up to $40,000 per annum for up to three years.

Ian Ballard Travel Awards

Enable recipients to undertake an international travel tour with the aim of extending and collaborating on their MS research specialty.

Up to $25,000 and travel is expected to be completed within one year of award.

Applications close 4 July.

Cancer Council - Grants in Aid

Grants-in-Aid funds high quality research focused on discovering and improving prevention, detection, treatment, and care for people affected by cancer. We are committed to funding research projects tackling all cancer types to achieve our vision for a cancer-free future.

Applications close 15 July.

Stroke Foundation

Future Leader Grants

For stroke research development activities in 2026. EMCRs and people with lived experience are encouraged to apply. One grant is for aphasia research. These grants focus on developing individual leadership skills, increasing potential for successful collaboration and building capabilities of emerging researchers, including those with lived experience.

Future Leaders may use the grant for activities such as travel to research facilities, leadership training, conference attendance and formal mentoring programs.

Up to $5,000.

Tim Glendinning Memorial Research Grant

2025 focus is “Research into unmet social and emotional wellbeing needs of young adults with stroke, which may incorporate welcoming health services and/or social environments.” This may include personalised, comprehensive support designed to address the distinct needs and trajectories of young adult survivors of stroke, and help overcome feelings of isolation or alienation.

One grant of up to $80,000 for a project of up to two years will be offered to researchers of any career stage.

Nancy & Vic Allen Stroke Prevention Memorial Fund grant.

One grant of up to $100,000 for a project of up to two years will be offered to researchers of any career stage. The 2025 focus area is “Research to further primary and/or secondary stroke prevention. Proposals involving partnerships and improved access to evidence-based health care, including integrative health care, are encouraged.”

Seed Grants 

Aims to generate new knowledge, kickstart innovative projects and provide a platform for emerging researchers to tackle evidence and implementation gaps in stroke care and excel in their stroke specialty. They provide a platform for emerging researchers to gain grant successes and leverage these into further national and international funding, to strengthen evidence in stroke prevention, treatment and recovery, and grow researcher capacity.

Applications close 16 July.

Fight MND

Care Research

Support research initiatives that, through innovation and collaboration: expand on current research and knowledge, or address knowledge gaps and investigate new areas of care research. Two funding opportunities are available: Funding for projects up to the value of $250,000. Seed funding to support collaboration between researchers and non-research clinicians / people with lived experience of MND, up to the value of $60,000. 

Care Support

Support people with MND to innovate, develop and implement ways to improve how people living with and affected by MND are supported and cared for in Australia. Two types of grants are available: Medical equipment / Assistive technology and support services (up to $150K). Innovation and Improvement in Care Support (up to $250K, over 2 years). 

Applications close 19 July.

Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand

HSANZ and their charity partners offer a range of HSANZ funded or co-funded opportunities: HSANZ / Leukaemia Foundation PhD scholarships, HSANZ Clinical Fellowships, The Albert Baikie Memorial Medal and Award, HSANZ / The Maria Grunstein Walking up the Hill PhD Scholarship, HSANZ Clinical Fellowships, HSANZ / ALLG Clinical Trials Fellowship, HSANZ / ASH Abstract Achievement Award.

Applications close 27 July.

PanKind: The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Early Detection grant. 

Encourage new strategies to detect, diagnose and manage pancreatic cancer earlier, support established and/or early career researchers to develop preliminary data and attract additional funding in subsequent years. Funding available: $100,000 grant for 1 year.

New Treatment grant. 

Carry out projects at an early stage that will accelerate development of new treatments, diagnostics or quality (including standard of care) to pancreatic cancer patients, Support established and/or early career researchers to develop preliminary data and attract additional funding in subsequent years, Accelerate research translation.  Funding available: $100,000 grant for 1 year.

New Treatment Accelerator grant. 

Carry out projects at any stage (preclinical to clinical) that will significantly accelerate treatments to pancreatic cancer patients, innovative projects that require resources to advance critical milestones, extend previous or existing work for a new treatment, grow capacity in pancreatic cancer research in Australia, accelerate the translation of promising therapies to clinical application; and improve survival from pancreatic cancer in line with our mission to triple survival by 2030. $200,000 grant over 2 years, focused on accelerating treatments for pancreatic cancer to patients.

Applications close 28 July.

Arthritis Australia

Scholarships

Arthritis Australia offers scholarships (up to $50,000) for young science and medical graduates to undertake thesis studies into arthritis and musculoskeletal related disorders at recognised universities. These scholarships provide research training to doctorate or masters level and are designed to develop the intellectual and technical expertise required for a career involving laboratory and/or clinical investigation. Scholarships are intended, in general, to support basic and clinical research training within Australian research units and as a precursor to more advanced study in Australia and overseas. Scholarship awards are for one year.

Victorian Fellowship.

Up to $50,000, this fellowship is designed to support self-development of a trainee/Rheumatologist within Victoria. The purpose of the Award is to encourage Rheumatologists to develop expertise in a clinical or research discipline in Rheumatology and to use that expertise in and for the betterment of Rheumatology in Victoria. Whilst the fellowship may be used for interstate projects, the recipient must be a Victorian trainee or graduate.

Ken Muirden Overseas Training Fellowship

This grant is designed to give a rheumatologist who is about to or has completed advanced training in Rheumatology within the last two years an opportunity to undertake further clinical or research training overseas in an approved institution in any country.

ARA Research Fund/NZRA Philip Robinson Memorial Award.

This award is in memory of the late Philip Robinson. The $50,000 grant for 2026 will be awarded for research on any rheumatological or musculoskeletal health topic. The research must be collaborative and preferably with international collaboration. The recipient will be a middle career researcher (5 to 12 years of RACP fellowship or equivalent with flexibility depending on personal circumstances). In addition, the recipient must be a financial member of the ARA or NZRA.

National Research Program Fellowships. 

Research fellowships are available for post-doctoral work or following recently completed rheumatology advanced training and are available for research programs both overseas and in Australia. The Victorian ARA Fellowship - Designed to support expansive self-development of trainee/rheumatologists within Victoria. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship - Offered for health research in the field of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The fellowship will be awarded to a researcher who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or who has a team member who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. 

Applications close 22 August.

The CASS Foundation - Travel Grants.

Enable early career researchers to attend and participate in international conferences relevant to their current research. Apply if someone approaches me.  Up to $5,000.

Applications close 29 August.

Get in touch with us

If you have any question or would like to know more about a specific grants.