Quality Use of Pathology Project Grants (QUPP)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Quality Use of Pathology Project Grants support projects that improve Medicare pathology services. The program aims to enhance how pathology is managed, delivered, and used across Australia. This grant seeks to help the pathology sector innovate and improve. It focuses on evidence-based referral practices, professional practice standards, and initiatives that benefit consumers. The total funding pool for the 2025–2027 round is $1.8 million over two years. The broader role of this grant is to ensure quality, efficient, and cost-effective pathology services. From 1 July 2024, the program will operate as a dedicated stream within the larger Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) program.

Key Grant Details

• Grant Amount or Funding Range: Up to $300,000 per financial year for successful projects.
• Application Open and Close Dates: Not yet announced for the 2025–2027 round.
• Eligible Industries or Business Types: Incorporated bodies, including professional medical colleges, universities or higher education organisations, companies incorporated in Australia, incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust, and registered charities or not-for-profit organisations.
• Required Co-contributions: Not specified in the general program overview. Applicants should review specific grant guidelines when available.
• Location/State/Territory Applicability: Australia, focusing on Medicare pathology services.

Priority Sectors of QUPP

The grant is open to entities within the pathology and broader healthcare sector. Priority areas include projects that:

• Reduce risks in pathology requesting, testing, or reporting processes.
• Improve pathology service provision or access, particularly in regional and rural areas.
• Enhance decision support mechanisms for pathology use.
• Streamline education for medical students and residents regarding cost-effective diagnostic pathology.
• Improve linkages between patient health information databases that incorporate pathology test results.

Funding Scope

The funding structure provides up to $300,000 per financial year for individual projects. There are no minimum amounts per stream specified. The categories of funding align with the core objectives: Quality Pathology Practice, Quality Referrals, and Quality Consumer Services. Eligible project durations can be up to 30 months, aligning with the two-year funding period from 2025 to 2027.

Grant Amount in Total

$1.8 million over two years (2025–2027).

Eligibility Criteria

Key requirements for applicants include:

• Being an incorporated body (e.g., professional medical college, university, incorporated company, incorporated trustee, registered charity, or not-for-profit organisation).
• Holding an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Being registered for GST purposes.
• Having an account with an Australian financial institution.
• The proposed project must be within a 30-month timeframe.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant supports activities that improve the quality of pathology services. These may include:

• Projects that reduce risks in pathology requesting, testing, and reporting.
• Initiatives to enhance pathology service provision and access, especially in regional and rural areas.
• Work to enhance decision support mechanisms.
• Activities to streamline education on cost-effective diagnostic pathology services for medical students and residents.
• Projects that improve linkages between patient health information databases, incorporating pathology results.

Activities not supported include: projects duplicating existing resources, those benefiting only a single entity, projects exceeding 30 months, those not subject to peer review, IT upgrades or infrastructure, capital or asset expenditure, international travel, and retrospective activities.

Assessment Process

This grant operates on a competitive basis. Applications are typically assessed against criteria such as project need, the applicant’s ability to deliver, the project’s sustainability, and its overall value for money. Proposals must demonstrate how they address the program’s objectives.

Recent Program Updates

From 1 July 2024, the Quality Use of Pathology Program (QUPP) merged into the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) program. This change was outlined in the 2023–24 Budget. The Quality Use of Pathology Project Grants now form a dedicated stream within QUDTP. The 2025–2027 funding round is the next iteration under this updated structure.

Application Tips

Double-check all eligibility criteria before applying. Prepare key documents in advance. Align your proposal with government priorities for improving pathology services and patient outcomes. Demonstrate your capability, expected outcomes, and the benefits your project will deliver.

Where to Get Help for Quality Use of Pathology Project Grants

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 relevant government websites for application templates and further guidance.