Targeted Call for Mental Health Research 2026

Mental Health Research Grants support researchers working on new and emerging treatment approaches for severe and persistent mental illness, with a focus on basic science and pre-clinical research.

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Key information

Status: Open
Grant amount: Up to $1,000,000
Application opened: 16 March 2026
Application closes: 30 June 2026, 5:00 pm

Program objective

Fund research that improves wellbeing and health outcomes
Bridge the gap between research, policy and practice to increase research impact and translation
Support NSW researchers to leverage national funding opportunities to further research and its translation in NSW.

This program is administered by NSW Health.

Eligibility

Who can apply

Researchers who submit a complete application in the specified research area.
Researchers based in NSW and employed by an eligible host/administering organisation for the duration of the grant.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and researchers who hold an appropriate visa for the full term of the grant.
Researchers whose host organisation and administering organisation meet all the eligibility criteria specified in the grant guidelines.

For more information, please refer to the grant guidelines.

Who the grant is targeted towards

NSW-based researchers working on severe and persistent mental illness.
Clinicians, including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers
researchers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Types of projects funded under this grant

Research proposals which focus on new and emerging treatment approaches for severe and persistent mental illness, with a focus on basic science and pre-clinical research.

What costs you can't apply for

Capital works
General maintenance costs
Organisational infrastructure or overheads
Telephone/ communication systems
Basic office equipment such as desks and chairs
Rent and the cost of utilities
Funds awarded cannot be used to support research conducted outside of NSW

Types of projects not funded under this grant

Projects which do not meet the eligibility criteria listed in the Grant Guidelines including those which are not proposing new and emerging treatment approaches for severe and persistent mental illness, with a focus on basic science and pre-clinical research.

What your application needs to include

Prepare your application with this checklist

A completed application form with the supporting documentation attached

research protocol, and
signed certification

Address the eligibility criteria

Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.

Address the assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria based on the weighting below. More detail about the selection criteria is available in the grant guidelines.

Chief Investigator (35%)
Research project and team (65%)

Start the application

Download and read the grant guidelines
Create an account with SmartyGrants
Draft your application, including research protocol on the template provided in SmartyGrants
Provide your Host Organisation and Administering Organisation with a copy of your application and obtain their approval (via signature on the certification template)
Submit your application (and any supporting documents) in SmartyGrants

Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.

Apply now

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for Medical Research

Step 1: Eligibility check

Following the closing date for applications, NSW Health will determine if each application has satisfied the eligibility criteria.

Step 2: Review by expert panel

An independent panel of expert reviewers will assess each eligible application against the selection criteria.

Step 3: Funding recommendation

The independent panel will agree on the final ranking of all eligible applications and will make recommendations for funding to NSW Health.

Step 4: Decision and notification

NSW Health will determine grant recipients and amounts. All applicants will be informed as to whether they have been awarded funding.

Step 5: Grant agreements and payment

NSW Health will contact host/ administering organisation(s) for successful project(s) to execute a funding agreement. A standard, non-negotiable funding agreement will be used.

Support and contact

Research Grants Team,

Office for Health and Medical Research,

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