MRFF 2024 Stem Cell Therapies Grant Opportunity

Internal notice of intent process

All researchers intending to submit an MRFF application are required to submit an internal Notice of Intent. NOIs will be collated centrally and distributed to Faculties and Institutes in order to provide maximum support to the UQ research community.

Step 1. Sapphire updates and scheme reading

• Register for Sapphire and update your full profile 'My Profile and CV'. The Grant Opportunity will be run through the new National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants management system, Sapphire, which replaces RGMS. If any team members are new to Sapphire and need a login/password, start early. The NHMRC require at least three working days to create new Sapphire accounts. 
• Familiarise yourself with the key MRFF, NHMRC and The University of Queensland (UQ) documentation.

Step 2. Completing the application

• Log into Sapphire and complete the application

Step 3. UQ R&I internal review and feedback

• Ahead of internal review, ensure all online components are complete and valid in Sapphire and CIA has initiated the Certification process. Application errors will be signalled and can be corrected during the Certification stage.
• To initiate internal review, email your completed Funding Application Coversheet to UQ R&I at mrffgrants@research.uq.edu.au.
• Internal review by UQ R&I/feedback provided (compliance/eligibility/grantsmanship).

Step 4. Final submission

• Final submission by UQ R&I to NHMRC.

Letters of Support

Signing for all letters of support from UQ is co-ordinated through the Research Office. All Letters of support for MRFF applications, including those led by other institutions, must be accompanied by a completed Funding Application Coversheet (see below) and authorisations of any enumerated contributions or additional UQ staff beyond the lead CI listed in the letter.  We strongly recommend working with your local school/institute research professionals to complete this process.

To provide time for review and signature, we ask that UQ researchers submit draft letters to mrffgrants@research.uq.edu.au no later than two weeks before the external closing date.

Partner Letters

We would encourage applicants to provide drafts of partner letters of support for review by the Research office before organising their final signature to ensure eligibility and compliance. A template Letter of Support is provided below.

Non-UQ Lead Applications

• The administering organisation should provide you with a draft letter of support. UQ information from the CEO letter below may assist you in completing the letter.
• Complete a generic Funding Application Coversheet, and get it countersigned by your Head of School/Institute.
• Submit both to mrffgrants@research.uq.edu.au, along with evidence for any additional co-contributions.

Before applying, we recommend you:

• Contact your faculty or institute research manager for advice on peer readership programs.
• Join the UQ R&I Mailer to stay up to date with round developments.
• Access the UQ R&I Grants Library, a helpful resource of past successful proposals.
• If offered, attend UQ R&I information sessions and access PowerPoint presentations from presentations and slides.