NSW Health and Medical Research Sponsorship Program

Event aims

• The event must be a new or emerging event that seeks to support and benefit the NSW health and medical research sector primarily by building research capacity, capability and collaboration, including across researchers, industry, patient and consumer advocacy groups, and government.
• The event should also seek to:
  • promote the research environment in NSW
  • facilitate place-based or statewide engagement, and national and/or international engagement where possible.

Application Host/Organisation

• The applicant or host organisation must have an office in NSW and be a:
  • non-profit organisation as defined under the Federal Corporations Act 2001 as applied in NSW OR a national non-profit organisation planning an event in NSW
  • professional/peak body
  • independent medical research institute funded by the Office through the Medical Research Support Program.
• Universities and existing NSW Health entities* may be part of an application submitted by a primary host organisation that satisfies the criteria above. The relevant university or entity must be listed as a collaborator in the application.
  *Note: The Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (Cwlth) defines NSW Health entities to include
  • a statutory health organisation within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1997
  • the Health Administration Corporation incorporated by the Health Administration Act 1982 and each of its controlled entities
  • the Cancer Institute (NSW) constituted by the Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003
  • the New South Wales Health Foundation constituted by the Health Administration Act 1982
  • the Albury Base Hospital (being a public hospital controlled by the Crown as referred to in section 15 (d) of the Health Services Act 1997)
  • other entity (or entity of a kind) prescribed by the regulations as a NSW Health entity. 

The applicant/host organisation must demonstrate a significant collaborative relationship with partners listed in the application.

Existing financial support

• Applicants must not receive financial support for the event from another NSW Health entity. Note that events with financial support from other Government agencies are eligible to apply.

Eligible locations and mode of delivery

• The event must be held in NSW
• The event may be held either face to face, virtually, or in a hybrid (combination of virtual and face to face) format.

Event timing

• Sponsorship grants will be available for events to be held between February and December 2026.

Eligible activities

• Activities covered by a sponsorship grant can include (but are not limited to):
  • international and interstate speaker costs (airfares and accommodation)
  • awards
  • audio visual services including filming of events
  • promotion (marketing/advertising, booklet/publication and web content/modules)
  • venue hire
  • catering
  • facilitator costs and conference management fees
  • technology fees
  • transportation
  • insurance.
• If successful, the applicant may be asked to verify the project cost and request evidence of costs (such as supplier contracts, quotes and invoices). Value for money must be demonstrated by ensuring event costs are reasonable and reflect market rates. NSW Health will make the final decision on whether a claimed cost is eligible or reasonable (and only pay the reasonable amount).

Applicants are not eligible to apply for the Program if they are:

• insolvent
• an individual
• an unincorporated association
• a NSW Health Precinct
• a network funded by the Office
• a Commonwealth, state, territory, or local government agency or body.

Events that received funding from the Office for Health and Medical Research, through the Sponsorship Program in 2024 or 2025 are ineligible. Events that are for fundraising purposes or expected to make a profit are ineligible. Events that have been running in NSW for more than 2 years are unlikely to be considered new or emerging.

NSW Health, at its sole discretion, may decide that an application is ineligible for funding. This may include any person or business activity that poses a reputational and/or other risk to NSW Government.

Where an application is identified as not meeting the above eligibility criteria, the application may be set aside from further consideration at the absolute discretion of NSW Health. NSW Health may also seek clarification from any applicant in relation to its application, including seeking further information on the eligibility or assessment criteria.

• Make sure your organisation and event are eligible for the program - if you're unsure you meet the conditions please get in touch through MOH-OHMRGrants@health.nsw.gov.au
• Focus on how the event is new or emerging and aligng with one or more health and medical research priorities outlined in NSW Health published strategies
• Comply with the specified word limit in the application form
• Include an accurate budget with appropriate detail and a draft program
• Highlight why sponsorship is needed, and how grant monies will be spent
• Note: if you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save and return'. You will be provided with a unique code. If you lose your code, please contact MOH-OHMRGrants@health.nsw.gov.au