2026 Indigenous Health Award

This round will open at 9:00AM 11 May 2026 (AEST) for submissions.

IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Welcome to the Australian General Practice Research Foundation's online grants application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

 Thank you for your interest in our 2026 Indigenous Health Award, established by our Foundation Patron, Professor Michael Kidd AO. 

Grant details

Grant amount: Up to $10,000 is available in total (excluding GST). A single award may be provided for the full amount, or the funding may be distributed across multiple awards. Applicants are encouraged to request the amount needed to support their proposed activities. In some cases, the Foundation may discuss partial funding with applicants. 

Funding period: 12 months

Focus area: Financial support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical students, general practice registrars and early-career GP researchers.

Objective: This funding initiative aims to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes by supporting the development of a skilled and culturally responsive workforce in general practice. It provides financial support to enable recipients to pursue training, professional development or research activities that contribute to culturally safe care and improved health outcomes.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, the applicant must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical student, general practice registrar or early career GP researcher.

How might this funding support you?

This award is intended to support activities that strengthen your development in general practice and enable you to pursue training, professional development or research activities that contribute to culturally safe care and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Funding could be used in a range of ways depending on your goals and circumstances.

For example, applicants might seek support to: 

  • reduce financial barriers associated with study, placements or time away from work  
  • access learning resources, tools or subscriptions to support study or research  
  • attend conferences, training or professional development opportunities  
  • undertake rural or remote placements or community-based experiences  
  • participate in cultural learning opportunities or community-led events that strengthen culturally safe practice  
  • support travel, accommodation or other costs associated with training or research activities 

These examples are intended as a guide only, and applicants are encouraged to outline how the funding would best support their own learning, development or research activities.

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria: 

  • Demonstrated need and potential benefit (40%) 
    The proposal should demonstrate need for the funding to support the recipient’s professional growth and impact in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. 
  • Relevance and potential for impact (30%) 
    The proposal should align with the award's focus area and demonstrate relevance to general practice, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving health outcomes and cultural safety in general practice or broader healthcare settings.
  • Contribution to building capacity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health (30%) 
    The proposal should demonstrate potential to build capacity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health whether through skill development, training, fostering collaborations, or expanding networks. 

Application process

Applications open Monday, 11 May 2026 at 9:00am (AEST) and close on Tuesday, 22 June 2026 at 9:00am (AEST). Applicants will be notified of outcomes on Friday 11 September 2026.

Requirements for successful applicants

Successful applicants will be required to: 

  • formally accept the award and enter into a Grant Agreement with the RACGP
  • provide required publicity materials, with payment provided upon receipt
  • participate in a short interview with the Foundation

Need more information?

For more information, please refer to our Information for Applicants website. For any inquiries, feel free to contact us at foundation@racgp.org.au. 

If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea in which we live and work, we recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and culture and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.