Unlock Global Health Innovation: 2026 NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced the opening of the 2026 e-ASIA Joint Research Program (GO8133). This initiative supports Australian participation in leading international collaborative research, fostering partnerships across the East Asia region and USA to tackle critical global health challenges.

Scope of Research

For the 15th Health Research call, the program has expanded its focus. NHMRC is soliciting proposals for projects commencing in 2027 under two distinct topics:

Topic 1: Infectious Diseases and Immunology (including Antimicrobial Resistance). Note: Collaborations under this topic must include a Principal Investigator from Indonesia.

Topic 2: Advanced Medical Research & Enabling Technologies (New for this round).

Funding and Support

The NHMRC has allocated a total of $4.5 million to support up to 6 grants. Successful Australian teams can secure up to $750,000 per grant for a duration of up to three years to fund their component of the joint project.

Eligibility and Partnership

This is a multilateral funding scheme designed to strengthen regional cooperation. To be eligible, your consortium must meet specific criteria:

Multilateral Collaboration: Projects must involve a minimum of three collaborating partners from countries with member organizations participating in the specific call topic.

Australian Lead: Applications must be submitted by an NHMRC-approved Administering Institution.

Partner Countries: You must collaborate with researchers supported by participating agencies in countries such as Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the USA (specific participation varies by topic).

Critical Deadlines

Strict adherence to deadlines is essential as this application involves a dual submission process:

Minimum Data due in Sapphire: Wednesday, 18 March 2026, 5:00 pm AEDT

Common Application due to e-ASIA Secretariat: Tuesday, 31 March 2026

Final Application due in Sapphire: Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 5:00 pm AEDT

Researchers are urged to coordinate early with international partners to ensure the Common Application is submitted to the e-ASIA Secretariat before the Australian submission closes.

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