Apply for funding
Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI)
NOW OPEN
ACH4 eOI - Grant Round 2026:
Friday 14 August - Tuesday 16 September 2025
view EOI supporting materials on this page.
Application outcomes due in late October
any questions: please contact Jo Reidy 0424 754 557
Grant Application Outline
Over the past 22 years, ACH4 has supported translational research in the areas of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and now human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1). In 2026, ACH4 will continue to support translational research into these four viral infections.
ACH4 is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) in applied research from qualified scientists to fund research projects aimed at:
i) developing vaccine candidates for HIV, HBV subtypes, HCV or HTLV-1;
ii) developing preventatives such as HIV microbicides and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP);
iii) cure and treatment interventions for HIV, HBV, or HTLV-1, including immunotherapy iv) novel diagnostics and prognostics for HIV, HBV, HCV, HTLV-1 or hepatitis B/C/HIV/HTLV-1 co-infection;
v) molecular tools for tracking epidemics caused by these viruses; and
vi) development of new tests for supporting vaccine and antiviral trials. Basic research is not eligible, and grants aimed at development of new direct-acting antivirals against HCV are also not eligible.
Research projects based on clinical data and specimens from patients with HIV, HCV and HBV stored by the Immunovirology Research Network (IVRN) are encouraged.
The grants are intended to complement and translate basic research projects in the virology and immunology of HIV, HBV, HCV and HTLV-1 that are commonly funded by other granting bodies such as NHMRC. The ACH4 grants are not intended for the basic research itself. A few awards will be available for seed funding of applications that are viewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to be exciting & innovative ideas that have the potential for longer-term translation.
Funding is available from 1 December 2025 to 30 September 2026 for grants up to $50,000.
Eligibility: applications are welcome from Australian investigators regardless of their university or research institutional affiliation except those designated as CIA on another grant from the Australian Government Department of Health G05055 Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Research Program as CIA. One application as CIA only, please see guidelines for more information. National collaborative groups are encouraged.
ACH4 grants will be awarded to the administering organisation through which the CIA submits their application. All awards will be governed by a participant agreement (between the participant organisation and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research representing ACH4). All administering organisations awarded a grant will be required to enter such an agreement.
Guidelines explaining further details & eligibility criteria of this funding are available under EOI materials (above) or please contact:
Joanne Reidy Administration Officer, ACH4
The Westmead Institute for Medical Research
PO Box 412, Westmead NSW 2145 Phone: (02) 8627 3004 /
Email: joanne.reidy@wimr.org.au
Expressions of Interest close at 5:00 pm AEST on Tuesday 16 September 2025
Areas of Research: HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HTLV-1
EOI Materials
EOI FAQs
Can an ACH4 EOI be submitted directly to the ACH4 Administration Officer via the applicant, or does the EOI need to be submitted via the Research Office of the institution?
For ease of administration for both entities, it is preferred that applications are submitted to ACH4 by the Research Office of the applicant’s organisation. This way we have the relevant contact information to send the funding agreement should the applicant be successful.
More on Budget Justification
A detailed budget breakdown is not needed; however, budget justification is required to help better understand how the funds would be used in a broader sense. Why the funds are needed and the likelihood of success. As mentioned in the guidelines, please provide 2-3 sentences to clarify the application of funds (example., supplementing existing salaries and consumables from existing funding, leveraging additional funding, or adding a new line of investigation etc.).
Does the progress report need to include all previous ACH4 grants?
No, only the previous year is required.
Should Associate Investigators be included on EOIs?
This information can be added under Details of all Chief Investigators if you wish to include, however, it is not a requirement.
The ACH4 EOI guidelines indicate that salaries and consumables are acceptable budget items, however, travel cannot be requested. Are there any other restrictions on what the funding can be used for, or is travel the only cost that is not permissible?
Only salary and consumables are accepted (not equipment and travel).
What is the eligibility background?
Applications are welcome from Australian investigators regardless of their university or research institutional affiliation except those designated as CIA on another grant from the Australian Government Department of Health G05055 Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Research Program as CIA. One application as CIA only, please see guidelines for more information. National collaborative groups are encouraged.
Can funds be expended outside of Australia?
No, funds cannot be used outside of Australia.
Does the CI-A need to be an Australian Citizen?
Yes, only the CI-A needs to be Australian resident / citizen and funds cannot go out of Australia.
Can overseas based investigators be named as co-CIs?
Yes, overseas collaborators may be listed as a CI – collaborative groups are encouraged.
Can a PhD / Postdoc submit an EOI?
PhD / postdocs are not eligible to submit an ACH4 grant proposal but may be named as CIs where the PhD student is critical for the successful completion of the proposed research.
Independence is really the criterion e.g. an EMCR eligible for an EL1 Investigator grant, (in effort to limit the number of applications received by labs and to ensure equitable Australian distribution).
