The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Annual Grant Round.

Applications are invited for basic science projects, clinical studies or community-based studies in any area of research relevant to children’s health, education and/or welfare.

1. To apply, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online using the submission platform ‘Submittable’, which can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
2. Short-listed applicants will be invited to submit a full grant application via Submittable.

Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 2026 grant funding opportunity opens on Tuesday 25 February 2025.

Shortlisted applicants for the 2026 grants round will be invited to submit Full Grant Applications from 27 May 2025.

The selection process will commence with peer reviews during Jul-Sep, and applicants will be advised of the Full Grant Application outcome in mid-October 2025. 

2026 grants awarded will be formally announced at a public event to be held on 30 October 2025.

KEY DATES

Applications for the 2026 Research Grant Round

• 22 February 2025: Advertising for Opening of Expressions of Interest (EOI)
• 25 February 2025 (9.00am ACDT) to 31 March 2025 (5:00pm ACDT): Submissions for EOI accepted
• 1 March 2025: Acquittal Reports for previous funding period due (within 60 days of the completion of the project). (DOWNLOAD : Grant Acquittal Form)
• 16 May 2025: Applicants notified of EOI outcomes
• 27 May 2025 (9.00am ACST) – 18 July 2025 (5:00pm ACST): Grant applications accepted (shortlisted applicants only)
• October 2025: Shortlisted applicants notified of GA outcomes
• 30 October, 2025: Public announcement of Research Grants for 2026

GUIDELINES

Eligibility

• Basic science projects, clinical studies or community-based studies focused on children’s health, education and/or welfare.
• Research must be led from South Australia: the Chief Investigator and Administering Institution MUST be located in South Australia.
• National collaboration is encouraged where necessary, but it is preferable that all members of the research team are in South Australia.
• International collaboration may be allowed where special skills are not available in South Australia.

Application Category

Applications for research grants can be made in one of the following three categories:

1. Basic Science: Research to acquire or confirm new knowledge by testing a hypothesis using scientific methodology in a primary laboratory environment.
2. Clinical Studies: Research conducted with human subjects or human material in which the investigator interacts directly with human subjects. Such research may include the mechanism of human disease, clinical trials, therapeutic intervention, the development of new technology and epidemiology.
3. Community Based Studies: Research based in a community setting with the objective of providing the community with the tools and information necessary to enact change.

Early Career Grants

Early Career Researchers, as defined below, may elect to apply for an Early Career Grant:

• Applicants who have held their PhD for no more than five years, allowing for career disruptions (may be employed as a NHMRC post-doctoral fellow)
• Applicants who have not previously been the Lead Chief Investigator of a significant peer-reviewed grant for organisations such as NHMRC, ARC, CRF, Cancer Council etc.
• Medical applicants who are undertaking a PhD or MD
• Non-medical applicants who have Honours, Masters or are undertaking a PhD or MPhil

Early Career Researchers are not precluded from applying for a full grant.

ASSESSMENT

All EOI and grant applications are assessed by the independent CRF Research Committee, on scientific merit and relevance to the health, education and/or welfare of children, with additional input for grant applications sought from independent referees.

DOCUMENTS

To assist applicants and RAOs to prepare submissions for this grant opportunity and for further information, the following resources are now available HERE on the CRF website:

Information For Applicants 

Terms and Conditions of Funding

Preview the EOI Form

Preview the Grants Application Form (PDF)