HCF Research Foundation opens 2026 grants, prioritising mental health and equitable care
On 9 April 2026, the HCF Research Foundation opened expressions of interest for its 2026 Health Services Research Grants, inviting researchers to propose practical ways to improve how Australians access and experience healthcare—particularly in mental health and equitable care.
Successful projects are scheduled to receive funding from 1 January 2027. This year’s priorities include innovative mental health models aimed at expanding timely, high‑quality support for people experiencing acute need, and research to identify and address gender bias in healthcare services.
The foundation said both areas have direct implications for patient safety, access and outcomes. “Health services research is where evidence meets real life,” said Adjunct Professor Karen Price, Chair of the HCF Research Foundation.
“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 2026 round will follow a two‑stage application process, beginning with an expression of interest, to direct funding toward projects with strong potential for impact, translation and scale.
Head of the HCF Research Foundation, Dr Christopher Pettigrew, said the focus remains on research that can drive measurable change. “We’re looking for work that can be implemented, scaled or inform policy and service design,” he said.
“That’s how research delivers real value—for patients, clinicians and the health system as a whole.” Backed by Australia’s largest not‑for‑profit health fund, the HCF Research Foundation funds independent health services research that bridges the gap between evidence and practice, benefiting HCF members and all Australians.
Since 2000, it has committed more than $37.9 million to over 165 projects aimed at strengthening how healthcare is delivered. The new call follows the announcement of outcomes from the 2025 Health Services Research Grants round, which awarded almost $1.5 million across four projects focused on workforce sustainability, reducing avoidable hospital and emergency department presentations, and improving pain management and opioid safety.
Together, the projects reflect the foundation’s focus on research that can be implemented in real settings and scaled to improve patient outcomes and system performance.