Guide Smarter investment Philanthropy

Making Grants to Health & Medical Research

Research Australia 1 January 2014 2014

In brief

This guide helps philanthropic trusts and foundations consider how to fund health and medical research. It describes grant types, funding approaches and considerations for selecting research recipients and partners.

Abstract

This Research Australia guide is for philanthropic trusts, foundations and other grant makers funding health and medical research. It outlines types of grants, including funding for specific organisations, students, projects, career development, research into particular diseases, equipment and capital works, and innovation, illustrated with examples such as the Australian Bionic Ear. It sets out initial steps covering eligibility and legal requirements, priority setting and grant size, with an indicative giving guide ranging from honours scholarships from $5,000 to a professional chair in perpetuity at $2 million. Two approaches are then described: identifying a research partner organisation through a two-stage process, or establishing a formal grant program with a schedule, application forms, guidelines, assessment, notification, reporting and acquittal. It closes with advice on review and publicity.