The Elite Researcher Grants support highly-talented research leaders working and living overseas to relocate to NSW and strengthen capacity in priority research areas.
The Grants aim to:
- promote NSW as a global leader in research by attracting talented researchers to conduct research in NSW
- incentivise talented researchers to move to NSW to conduct pioneering and innovative research and drive discoveries with the long-term aim of improving health and wellbeing
- build NSW capacity in a strong, vibrant and highly skilled research workforce
- bridge the gap between research, policy and practice to increase research impact and translation.
This funding supports researchers working across the research spectrum including in basic science, biomedical, clinical medicine and health services research, data science, and population health research.
Research focused on cardiovascular health will be funded under a separate cardiovascular stream of elite grants.
Key dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
Call for applications opened | 15 July 2026 |
Applications closed | 6 November 2026 5pm AEST |
Outcomes notified | March 2027 |
Elite researchers relocate to NSW and research projects commence | Within 12 months of award notification or by negotiation |
Application process and guidelines
For more information on the Elite Researcher Grants, eligibility and guidelines, visit NSW Government Grants and Funding.
Frequently asked questions
Elite Postdoctoral Researcher Grants are open to researchers who currently live and work interstate or overseas. Researchers already residing in NSW, even if on temporary visas, are not eligible. The researcher must not currently live or work in NSW but may be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia who has been living and working interstate or overseas.
Yes, however awarding of funding will be conditional on obtaining an appropriate working visa for the full term of the funding period.
A one-off funding amount of up to $10,000 for the researcher’s relocation expenses (and up to another $20,000 for family relocation expenses) may be available with appropriate justification. See section ‘How to claim for reimbursement of relocation costs’ in the Elite Researcher Grant Guidelines 2025 V1 for further information on reimbursement for eligible relocation costs.
Yes, however the nature, FTE commitment and alignment with research activities for these should be detailed in the nomination. The Chief Executive of the local health district or other employer will be required to sign the declaration on the nomination form to confirm the employment opportunity.
- Research that is conducted the New South Wales public health system or an affiliated organisation (university, medical research institute, industry partner).
- A combination of salaries of the elite researcher, research team, backfill for clinicians to quarantine research time, consumables and equipment
Capital works, general maintenance costs, organisational infrastructure or overheads, telephone/ communication systems, basic office equipment such as desks and chairs, rent and the cost of utilities.