NSW Health & Medical Research Sponsorship Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The NSW Health and Medical Research Sponsorship Program, administered by the Office for Health and Medical Research, provides funding to support events that enhance the state’s health and medical research ecosystem. It aims to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation by sponsoring conferences, forums, and workshops that build research capacity and capability.

The total funding pool for this round is not specified, but grants of up to $10,000 are available for new or emerging events in 2026. The program strengthens NSW’s research sector, promoting partnerships and aligning with the Future Health strategy to drive excellence in health and medical research.

It plays a broader role in supporting the medical research industry by encouraging events that increase diversity, inclusion, and public engagement, ultimately contributing to economic growth and improved health outcomes in New South Wales.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $10,000 per event.
• Application open and close dates: Opened 1 September 2025, closes 12 October 2025.
• Eligible industries or business types: Medical research institutes, peak/professional bodies, not-for-profits.
• Required co-contributions: Not specified.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Events held in New South Wales.

Priority Sectors

Health and Medical Research Sponsorship Program prioritises the health and medical research sector, focusing on new or emerging events, building research reputation and impact.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts: Up to $10,000 per grant.
• Categories or streams of funding:
  • Event sponsorship: Face-to-face, virtual, or hybrid events in 2026.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Events must occur in 2026.

Grant Amount in Total

The total funding pool for this round is not specified.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business structure or size: NSW-based non-profit organisations, professional bodies, or independent medical research institutes.
• Registered business location: New South Wales.
• Minimum/maximum turnover: Not specified.
• Insurance or compliance obligations: Not specified.
• ABN/GST status: Active ABN required; GST registration if applicable.
• Additional requirements: Events must be new/emerging; universities and NSW Health entities are ineligible as lead applicants.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Hosting conferences, forums, workshops, or award dinners.
• Event-related costs for skills development and collaboration.
• Initiatives aligned with NSW Health’s Future Health strategy.

Assessment Process

• Competitive or entitlement-based: Competitive.
• Key evaluation criteria:
  • Alignment with research capacity and collaboration goals.
  • Potential to build reputation and impact in the sector.
  • Access to other sponsorship sources is considered.

Recent Program Updates

Applications for 2026 events opened on 1 September 2025, closing 12 October 2025. The program focuses on new/emerging events, with no changes to funding levels announced. Inquiries should be directed to OHMR for updates.

Application Tips

• Prepare draft agenda, speaker list, and budget before applying.
• Ensure alignment with NSW Health’s Future Health strategy.
• Demonstrate limited access to other sponsorship sources.
• Submit via REDCap with all required documentation.

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. Further guidance and application resources are available on the Medical Research and NSW Government websites..