MRFF – Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative – 2026 Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19

Purpose and Program Overview

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) – Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative – 2026 Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) Grant Opportunity (GO8338) provides financial assistance for medical research and medical innovation projects that improve outcomes for Australians living with PASC, commonly known as Long COVID. The grant opportunity is administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Up to $23 million in total funding is available under this round. The initiative supports research into the biological mechanisms of PASC, the development of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, comparisons between PASC and related post-viral conditions, and the design of scalable, integrated models of care. All funded projects must demonstrate meaningful co-design with consumers throughout the research process.

This grant opportunity forms part of the MRFF’s broader Emerging Priorities and Consumer-Driven Research Initiative, which channels long-term government investment into research translation. It plays a significant role in strengthening Australia’s medical research sector, informing clinical practice, and building the evidence base needed to support people affected by Long COVID and related post-infection conditions.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $23 million available in total across four funding streams
• Application status: Currently open under GO8338 on GrantConnect
• Questions deadline: Applicant questions must be submitted by 1:00pm (ACT Local Time) on 26 August 2026
• Eligible applicants: Approved MRFF Eligible Organisations only (medical research institutes, universities, and other qualifying bodies registered with NHMRC)
• Co-contribution: Not specified as a mandatory requirement in the published grant opportunity summary; applicants should confirm specific co-funding obligations, if any, in the full Grant Opportunity Guidelines
• Location/applicability: Open to eligible organisations across Australia; no state or territory restriction identified in the available guidelines

Priority Sectors

This grant opportunity is targeted specifically at the health and medical research sector, with a defined focus on Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (Long COVID) and related post-viral conditions, including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and fibromyalgia. It is not open to sectors outside medical research and health innovation.

Funding Scope

Applications must address one of four funding streams. An applicant may apply to only one stream:

• Stream 1 (Incubator): Investigates biological pathways and mechanistic drivers of PASC subtypes to optimise intervention design and improve clinical outcomes
• Stream 2 (Incubator): Supports novel pre-clinical and/or early-phase clinical research to improve understanding of PASC subtypes and inform pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
• Stream 3 (Incubator): Funds small-scale projects comparing the biological drivers and pathological mechanisms of PASC with ME/CFS, POTS, and fibromyalgia
• Stream 4 (Targeted Call for Research): Supports a large-scale project evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of scalable, sustainable, integrated care approaches for people with PASC

Project duration:

• Incubator grants (Streams 1, 2 and 3): must be completed within 2 years of the commencement date specified in the grant schedule
• Targeted Call for Research grants (Stream 4): must be completed within 5 years of the commencement date specified in the grant schedule

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications will only be accepted from approved MRFF Eligible Organisations, as listed on the NHMRC website
• Organisations that do not currently hold MRFF Eligible Organisation status may participate as a Participating Institution under an approved MRFF Eligible Organisation
• Applicants must nominate and apply to only one of the four funding streams
• Research proposals must reflect the complexity, variability, and heterogeneity of PASC
• Proposals must demonstrate meaningful co-design with consumers across all stages of the research
• Applicants should consult the full Medical Research Future Fund – Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative – 2026 Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Grant Opportunity Guidelines for detailed eligibility rules, as requirements may vary by stream

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Biological and mechanistic research into PASC subtypes
• Pre-clinical and early-phase clinical research into treatments
• Comparative research between PASC and related post-viral conditions
• Design and evaluation of integrated, multidisciplinary models of care
• Development of self-management strategies, care navigation tools, and decision-support resources for patients and clinicians
• Consumer and lived-experience engagement activities embedded in the research design

Assessment Process

This is a competitive grant opportunity. Applications are assessed against the objectives of the relevant funding stream and the broader goals of the Emerging Priorities and Consumer-Driven Research Initiative. Key considerations include:

• Alignment with stream-specific research objectives
• Scientific and clinical merit of the proposed research
• Genuine co-design with consumers throughout the research
• Feasibility and scalability of proposed interventions or care models
• Strategic alignment with MRFF priorities for PASC research

Recent Program Updates

• The 2026 PASC grant opportunity was announced with up to $23 million in available funding, an increase on the $14 million offered in the previous 2024 round of this initiative
• This round introduces an expanded, four-stream structure, including a dedicated stream comparing PASC with ME/CFS, POTS, and fibromyalgia
• Applications must be submitted electronically through NHMRC’s online granting system, Sapphire

Application Tips

• Confirm your organisation’s MRFF Eligible Organisation status before beginning an application
• Read the full Grant Opportunity Guidelines for GO8338 closely, as stream-specific requirements differ
• Select the single most appropriate funding stream for the proposed research
• Build genuine consumer co-design into the research methodology from the outset, not as an add-on
• Prepare supporting documents, letters of support, and budget details well ahead of the questions and minimum data deadlines
• Submit any clarifying questions before the 26 August 2026 deadline, as late queries may not be answered
• Align the proposal clearly with the objectives of the relevant stream and the broader Emerging Priorities and Consumer-Driven Research Initiative

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the MRFF – Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative – 2026 Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Grant Opportunity on GrantConnect and other associated Australian government websites.