Focus on Mental Health and Gender Bias
On Thursday, 9 April 2026, the HCF Research Foundation, Australia’s leading non-government funder of health services research, announced the opening of its 2026 Health Services Research Grants. The foundation is calling for expressions of interest from researchers aiming to improve healthcare access and experience in Australia, particularly in the areas of mental health and equitable care.
This year’s grant programme places a priority on innovative mental health models that can expand timely and high-quality support for individuals experiencing acute needs. Another critical focus is research aimed at identifying and addressing gender bias in healthcare services. Both areas are crucial for enhancing patient safety, access, and outcomes.
Adjunct Professor Karen Price, Chair of the HCF Research Foundation, emphasised the importance of health services research, stating, “Health services research is where evidence meets real life. We support projects that can be applied in practice, research that improves fairness in care, strengthens access to support, and helps people get the right care at the right time, in the right setting.”
The grants round for 2026 will follow a two-stage application process, with expressions of interest due by 13 May 2026. Successful projects will receive funding starting from 1 January 2027. This approach ensures that funding is directed toward projects with strong potential for impact, translation, and scale.
Dr. Christopher Pettigrew, Head of the HCF Research Foundation, highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to research that can drive measurable change. He stated, “We’re looking for work that can be implemented, scaled, or inform policy and service design. That’s how research delivers real value for patients, clinicians, and the health system as a whole.”
The HCF Research Foundation, backed by Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, has invested over $37.9 million in more than 165 projects since 2000. These projects aim to strengthen healthcare delivery through practical, implementable research findings.
In the previous 2025 grants round, the Foundation awarded almost $1.5 million across four projects targeting workforce sustainability, hospital presentations, and pain management. The call for new applications follows the announcement of outcomes from the Foundation’s 2025 grants.
The HCF Research Foundation continues to bridge the gap between evidence and practice, benefiting HCF members and all Australians by funding independent health services research.
Last updated: 9 April 2026, 11:04 am
