HCF Research Foundation Grant

Purpose and Program Overview

The HCF Research Foundation Grant supports health services research. The program’s intent is to use current knowledge to improve health care outcomes for Australians. This includes the quality, efficiency, and access to health services. The Foundation’s goal is to deliver better health care when and where it is needed.

The Foundation offers grants to drive research, inquiry, and innovation in health care. This helps to reduce low-value care procedures. It ensures Australians receive the right treatment at the right time.

The broader role of the grant is to fund projects that can be translated into practice. This aims to deliver better health outcomes and more cost-effective health service delivery.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: A limited amount of funding is available each year. Grants are up to $500,000. HCF Research Foundation prefers to fund a larger number of smaller projects, including those under $100,000.
• Application open and close dates: The 2025 Expressions of Interest (EOI) opened in April and closed on 19 May 2025. Full applications opened on 9 June 2025 and closed on 11 August 2025.
• Eligible industries or business types: Academic research institutions, such as universities, hospitals, or research institutes. Commercial entities and non-government organisations are encouraged to be collaborators.
• Required co-contributions: Generous co-funding arrangements are expected from commercial entities.
• Location/state/territory applicability: The lead investigator must have the right to live and work in Australia. The administering institution must also be based in Australia.

Priority Sectors

HCF Research Foundation Grant focuses on health services research. Priority areas for 2025 include:

• Improving the satisfaction and retention of the healthcare workforce.
• Evaluating acute hospital avoidance programs.
• Implementing pain management models of care.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream: The maximum amount is $500,000 per project. The Foundation encourages projects with budgets less than $100,000.
• Categories or streams of funding: There are no formal streams. The funding is for specific health services research projects.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: There is no limit on the duration of the project.

Grant Amount in Total

The total funding pool is not stated. The Foundation has a limited amount of funding available each year.

Eligibility Criteria

• A single reputable institution must be nominated as the administering institution.
• A single nominated lead investigator must have the right to live and work in Australia.
• The lead investigator can submit only one application.
• The lead investigator and team must show evidence of successfully leading academic research.
• Commercial entities and non-government organisations are encouraged to be collaborators.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant supports research activities. Eligible expenses include:

• Salaries for research staff.
• Direct research costs.
• Costs related to the translation of research findings into practice.
• Reasonable computer services and software licensing.
• Travel expenses are an integral part of the project.

Assessment Process

The grant is competitive. It involves an Expression of Interest stage before a full application. The assessment criteria include:

• Project merit: Scientific quality and excellence of the project.
• Strategic alignment: Potential for translation into practice and meaningful change.
• Value for money: Costing must be realistic and competitive.

Recent Program Updates

Expressions of Interest for the 2025 grant round are now closed. A new round of funding was offered for the Health Services Research Grant scheme. The program also has a specific grant in partnership with the RACGP Foundation for general practice research.

Application Tips

• Submit an Expression of Interest before the deadline.
• Ensure your project is focused on health services research.
• Clearly show how your research can be translated into practice.
• Provide a realistic and justified budget.
• Demonstrate a strong research team with a history of success.

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 HCF website for application templates and further guidance.