The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is focused on improving health outcomes for people living in regional, rural, and remote (RRR) Australia by supporting research that directly benefits these communities. Despite a strong history of high-quality and innovative RRR research, challenges persist in developing and sustaining a skilled RRR research workforce. To address this, NHMRC has announced the Regional, Rural and Remote Capacity Building grant opportunity 2026, designed to provide competitive funding to support both established and emerging researchers in these areas.
The initiative will allow experienced RRR researchers to mentor early- and mid-career researchers, support clinicians and other emerging researchers to become future research leaders, and invest in high-quality place-based research that delivers tangible benefits for local communities. Grants will provide $5 million over seven years, giving research teams sufficient time to implement and embed meaningful change. The opportunity will include two streams: a general stream for researchers in RRR areas and a rural and remote-specific stream.
This grant builds on NHMRC’s existing efforts to support RRR research, including funding within the Collaborations in Health Services Research Grant Opportunity and RRR-based Research Translation Centres. Consultation with sector stakeholders and NHMRC committees shaped the initiative. Current application data indicate that although relatively few NHMRC grant applications focus specifically on RRR health, these applications are as competitive as others, demonstrating both the quality of existing research and the need to grow a sustainable pipeline of RRR researchers.
Nearly one-third of Australia’s population lives in RRR areas, where health outcomes are generally poorer, including lower life expectancy and higher rates of illness. Strengthening a well-connected health and medical research workforce that understands the unique needs of these communities is crucial for delivering locally relevant research and advancing health equity. NHMRC emphasizes that each RRR community is unique, and place-based research is central to improving health outcomes.
NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh highlighted that the new grant opportunity builds on existing expertise and innovation in RRR areas, supporting established leaders while fostering the next generation of researchers who understand their communities. He emphasized that nearly a third of Australians live outside major cities, and ensuring their voices shape health research is essential for creating a healthier, more equitable Australia.
