2024 nib foundation / RACGP Foundation Grant (EOI)

Submissions closed at 5:00PM 2 April 2024 (AEDT).

Welcome to the RACGP online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

nib foundation and RACGP Foundation share a commitment to building a healthier Australia. Our organisations have partnered together to support research with potential to shape a more robust Australian healthcare system that provides the type of care our increasingly complex population needs, and that is sustainably funded into the future.

nib foundation is a charitable trust established by nib health funds in pursuit of its purpose of better health and wellbeing.  Since 2008 the foundation has provided over $31 million in funding to nearly 200 community health and wellbeing initiatives with a focus on prevention. The RACGP Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the RACGP. For over 60 years, the RACGP Foundation has enabled critical research in general practice, helping to shape Australian primary care for a healthier tomorrow.

Together, our foundations recognise the pivotal role of general practice in bringing about better patient outcomes and long-term savings for the broader healthcare system through decreased use of hospital services and improved illness prevention. However, challenges arise from an ageing and complex population, increasing prevalence of often-preventable chronic conditions, and a healthcare system which focuses on acute treatments and costly hospital care. Meanwhile, escalating healthcare costs compound access challenges for patients and threaten the financial sustainability of general practice.

The nib foundation / RACGP Foundation Healthcare Systems & Sustainability Grant aims to identify and fund quality GP-led research projects that explore possible solutions to these systemic issues in the Australian healthcare system. We have a focus on supporting research that is translational and which can be implemented to drive quality policy, advocacy, and real outcomes for patients and communities across Australia.

Award details

Up to two grants to a total value of up to $250,000 (excl. GST) will be offered for a period of up to 24 months to fund general practice research focusing on one or both of the following themes:

  • The financial sustainability of general practice and the potential role of Private Health Insurers.
  • Collaborative approaches to non-pharmacological interventions within the broader health ecosystem, including the potential role of Private Health Insurers. Interventions may include social prescribing, health promotion, and/or illness prevention.

Applications that consider accessibility for patients in rural and remote areas will be highly regarded. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the nib foundation / RACGP Foundation Healthcare Systems & Sustainability Grant, the principal investigator must be a general practitioner or general practice registrar.

The principal investigator must have an active leadership role in the project and sufficient research experience to ensure the successful completion of the grant. 

Selection criteria

Expressions of Interest will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • likelihood that the project will meet the full selection criteria (outlined below) 60%
  • alignment with the objectives and focus areas of the grant 40%

Selection criteria against which full applications (by invitation only) will be assessed:

  • scientific quality of the proposed research project 40%
  • potential for the project to be implemented to drive policy, advocacy, and tangible outcomes for patients and communities across Australia 30%
  • feasibility of carrying out and completing the research within the timeframe 10%
  • potential to build capacity in general practice research 10%
  • value for money 10%

Applications

Expressions of interest are called for this research grant, and will close on Tuesday 2 April 2024. Following assessment of expressions of interest, selected researchers will be invited to submit an application for funding in mid-May. For more information email foundation@racgp.org.au.