WA Mental Health Translational Research Grants 2026

Purpose and Program Overview

The Mental Health Translational Research Grants 2026 (MHTRG 2026) is a one-off, targeted funding program delivered under the Western Australian Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund. The program is administered by the Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) within the WA Department of Health. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2026–2031, moving evidence-based research findings out of academic and clinical settings and into policy, public health practice, and service delivery.

The program provides funding of up to $600,000 (excluding GST) per project, assessed through a competitive, merit-based process rather than on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring fairness and recognition of quality.

The program supports collaborative, multi-disciplinary research teams working with consumers, community service organisations, and health services. It aims to build WA’s mental health research capacity by involving early-career researchers and strengthening links between health services, universities, and research institutes, fostering meaningful community impact.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $600,000 (excluding GST) per successful project
• Application opens: Currently open
• Application closes: 1:00 pm (AWST), Thursday 30 July 2026 (Expression of Interest stage)
• Eligible applicants: Western Australian health and medical researchers and their teams, operating through a Responsible Entity with an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and a physical and operational presence in WA
• Co-contribution required: Not mandatory, but additional or complementary funding is permitted and encouraged, provided it does not duplicate the funded activity
• Location/state applicability: Western Australia only

Priority Sectors

The program is not open to all sectors. Funded activity must map directly to the priority areas identified in the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2026–2031, with a specific focus on mental health, alcohol, and other drug systems in Western Australia. Applicants working across health services, universities, research institutes, and not-for-profit or industry organisations with relevant WA-based research capability may apply, provided the proposed activity aligns with the Strategy’s priority areas.

Entities involved in industries that produce products or services that may contribute to poor physical health or mental well-being of the community are excluded from eligibility, whether as the Responsible Entity or as a funding or delivery partner.

Funding Scope

• Maximum funding per project: $600,000 (excluding GST)
• Funding streams: The program does not operate multiple funding tiers or streams; all successful applications are assessed against the same funding cap and conditions
  • Eligible cost categories: Salary costs for team members (excluding the Activity Lead, subject to limited exemptions)
  • Non-salary costs such as essential services, supplies, and equipment unique to the activity
  • Overhead charges, capped at 10 per cent of total direct activity costs
• Equipment cap: Total equipment costs must not exceed 10 per cent of the budget request or $15,000, whichever is lower
• Project timeline: Activities must be completed within a 36-month (3-year) period
• Application process: Two stages — an Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by an invited Full Application for shortlisted proposals

Eligibility Criteria

• The Responsible Entity must hold an active ABN and have a physical and operational presence in WA
• The Activity Lead must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or hold an appropriate work visa for the duration of the project
• The Activity Lead must physically reside in WA for at least 80 per cent of the project period
• The Activity Lead must have no overdue reports for any OMRI-administered grant program
• The Activity Lead must hold a formal position or title at the Responsible Entity for the duration of the project
• The Responsible Entity must have other external sources of income or funding; grant funding cannot constitute its entire financial base
• An individual may be named as Activity Lead on no more than two applications to this program, though there is no limit on the number of applications on which a person may appear as a team member
• Activities limited to quality assurance, clinical audit, needs analysis, or literature review alone are not eligible

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Research and translational activities that advance the implementation of evidence-based mental health or alcohol and other drugs models
• Direct labour (salary) costs for team members delivering core elements of the project
• Equipment and specialised computing resources unique to the project, subject to the applicable cap
• Costs associated with consumer and community involvement, including training, honoraria, and related administrative support, are eligible. Applicants should clearly justify these costs within their activity plan to demonstrate alignment with program priorities. Travel costs were strongly justified as essential to the project and incurred within the project timeframe.

The following costs are not eligible: salary or remuneration for the Activity Lead (except by case-by-case exemption, which applicants can request through the application process), personal computers or standard IT equipment, entertainment or hospitality (other than in defined clinical trial contexts), administrative costs such as stationery or telecommunications, and costs associated with dissemination activities such as conference attendance or publication fees.

Assessment Process

The program is competitive and merit-based, assessed in two stages by a review panel comprising mental health and alcohol and other drug experts, health and medical researchers, and consumer representatives.

The Expression of Interest stage is assessed against two criteria, each weighted at 50 per cent:

• Significance and relevance of the proposed activity to WA mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems
• Quality of the activity plan, including objectives, methodology, and timeline

The Full Application stage (for shortlisted applicants) is assessed against six weighted criteria:

• Significance and relevance (20 per cent)
• Activity plan and budget justification (20 per cent)
• Novelty (15 per cent)
• Consumer involvement (15 per cent)
• Feasibility and track record of the team (15 per cent)
• Translation and implementation potential (15 per cent)

Recent Program Updates

The MHTRG 2026 round is a one-off program introduced to support the newly developed Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2026–2031. It reflects the current strategic priorities of the FHRI Fund, including strengthening collaboration across the WA health and research sector and retaining early to mid-career researchers within the state’s research workforce.

Application Tips

• Confirm that both the Responsible Entity and Activity Lead meet all eligibility criteria before starting an application, including WA residency and reporting history requirements
• Prepare a clear line of sight between the proposed activity and the priority areas of the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2026–2031
• Develop a realistic budget with accurate cost estimates, as requests for additional funding after submission will not be considered
• Document consumer and community involvement early, as this forms a distinct and weighted assessment criterion at the Full Application stage
• Use the “preview” function in the Grant Management System to export application questions into Word or PDF format for internal review and drafting
• Allow sufficient time for internal sign-off processes ahead of the 1:00 pm (AWST) Thursday, 30 July 2026, closing date

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 Mental Health Translational Research Grants 2026 and other associated Australian government websites.