Avant Foundation Member Grants

Purpose and Program Overview

The Avant Foundation Member Grants are a competitive grant program. They support Avant members in advancing medicine. The program’s goal is to fund research and projects that improve quality, safety, and professionalism in medical practice. The grants are a response to the difficulties doctors face in securing research funding.

The grants are aimed at advancing the careers of Australian medical researchers. They especially focus on supporting early career doctors. The grants also help improve medical practices. They provide funding for research, education, and career development initiatives.

The program plays a role in fostering innovation in the medical sector. It supports research across many medical fields. This includes areas like oncology, cardiology, and general surgery.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: There are three grant amounts: $5,000, $25,000, and $50,000.
• Application open and close dates: The application period for the 2025 grants opened in March. Applications closed in June 2025. Grant recipients are notified in November.
• Eligible industries or business types: Medical practitioners and medical practices.
• Required co-contributions: Not mandatory.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Australia-wide.

Priority Sectors

The Avant Foundation Member Grants are open to a wide range of medical research and projects. There are no specific priority sectors listed. However, research projects with a clear focus on improving medicine, patient safety, or professionalism are most likely to be successful.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream: The grant offers $5,000 microgrants, $25,000 grants, and $50,000 grants.
• Categories or streams of funding: There are two main categories. The $25,000 and $50,000 grants are for research projects. The $5,000 microgrants are for education, career development, or initial research phases.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Grants typically fund projects for a 12-month period. An extension up to two years may be possible in exceptional cases.

Grant Amount in Total

The total funding pool varies each year. The Avant Foundation will offer up to $450,000 in funding for a total of 29 scholarships and grants.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be a current Avant member.
• This includes practitioners with an Avant indemnity policy.
• Medical practices with a practice medical indemnity policy with Avant can also apply.
• For practices applying for larger research grants, both the practice and the lead researcher must be Avant members.
• The project lead must be the applicant.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Avant Foundation Member Grants support various activities. This includes:

• Academic research projects.
• Quality improvement initiatives in a clinical setting.
• Education initiatives focusing on quality and safety.
• Career development activities.
• Staff salaries related to the project.
• Program materials and resources.

Assessment Process

The grant is competitive. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of medical practitioners. Key evaluation criteria include:

• The quality of the proposed project.
• The project’s potential for impact.
• The experience of the applicant and project team.
• The project’s budget and feasibility.

Recent Program Updates

The 2025 grant round is now closed. The Avant Foundation also offers other programs, like the Transformation Grant and Research Grants, which have different application dates.

Application Tips

• Check all eligibility criteria carefully.
• Make sure your proposal aligns with the Avant Foundation’s mission.
• Provide a detailed and complete application.
• Demonstrate the expected outcomes and benefits of your project.
• Have a well-defined research design and a detailed curriculum vitae.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist like Pattens Group. We offer initial assessments to review your business’s eligibility and evaluate how well your project aligns with the grant’s objectives. You can also visit the Avant Mutual Group Limited website for application templates and further guidance.