The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking applications for a competitive grant process to implement the Tropical Disease Research Regional Collaboration Initiative. This activity is an initiative of the
Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia, released on 18 June 2015.

The goal of the initiative is to support research collaboration between Australian, regional and international research institutions on tropical diseases which pose a trans-boundary threat in Australia's region of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Highest priority disease threats are those that cross borders and potentially affect whole populations, including but not limited to malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, Zika virus, animal-to-human influenzas and neglected tropical diseases.

This initiative complements the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Northern Australia Tropical Disease Collaborative Research Programme (also an initiative of the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia), and builds on other existing Australian Government investments in tropical health, health system strengthening, and regional health security.

Prospective applicants should note that DFAT has established an arrangement with the NHMRC to align the Tropical Disease Research Regional Collaboration Initiative with the related NHMRC Northern Australia Tropical Disease Collaborative Research Programme. This arrangement reflects the complementary nature of the two initiatives, and facilitates applicants applying for funding from both agencies.

Applicants can choose whether to apply for funding only from DFAT or NHMRC, or both. Critical dates for the application opening and closing period, and assessment and peer review processes, are the same for both the NHMRC and DFAT grants.

Applicants for DFAT funding will be required to submit their applications using the NHMRC Research Grants Management System (RGMS)

More information is available in the Competitive Aid Grant Guideline available below.

Key dates

Wednesday 24 February 2016 – Applications open
Wednesday 16 March 2016 – Minimum data due 5pm AEDT
Wednesday 6 April 2016 – Applications close 5pm AEST

All applicants are required to commence their application and provide the specified minimum data in RGMS by Wednesday 16 March 2016 to allow the NHMRC to start sourcing reviewers with appropriate expertise. Applications initiated after this date will not be accepted.

The Competitive Aid Grant Guidelines for the Tropical Disease Research Regional Collaboration Initiative are available below.

Enquiries regarding this competitive aid grant process can be directed to health.policy@dfat.gov.au.

DFAT retains the right to suspend, terminate or change any aspect of this competitive aid grant opportunity.

Frequently asked questions

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document on the NHMRC website.