Exploratory Research for Emerging Technologies in Health

Summary

This grant is aimed at biomedical research that is too early or too unconventional to compete under standard review. Preliminary data is explicitly not required, and reviewers are instructed to weight originality and potential impact above demonstrated feasibility. In practice that makes it suitable for a hypothesis a researcher believes in but cannot yet evidence. Awards run for two to three years and support staff, equipment and study costs. Both academic institutions and small businesses conducting biomedical research are eligible, and early-career investigators are encouraged to apply. Because the programme accepts higher risk, a proportion of funded projects are expected not to succeed, and that is not held against the investigator in later applications.

Quick answers

What is this grant?

Federal funding for exploratory biomedical research where the hypothesis is promising but unproven, and where preliminary data does not yet exist.

Who can apply?

Accredited universities, research institutions and small businesses conducting biomedical research. Early-career investigators are explicitly encouraged.

Is preliminary data required?

No. Reviewers are instructed to weight originality and potential impact above demonstrated feasibility, which is what separates this programme from standard research funding.

Who can apply

Accredited universities, research institutions, and small businesses conducting biomedical research. Early-career investigators are encouraged to apply.

About this grant

This programme funds exploratory work where the underlying hypothesis is promising but unproven. Preliminary data is not required. Reviewers weight originality and potential impact more heavily than feasibility, so proposals that would score poorly under standard review are explicitly in scope.