Our grants
Arthritis Australia’s National Research Program (NRP) has been running for over 40 years,
with the generous support of our donors including the Australia Rheumatology Association (ARA) Research Fund, New Zealand Rheumatology Association, ARA Victoria, The Arthritis Movement, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Western Australia and Arthritis Australia. We are the leading non government funders of arthritis research in Australia, and at least 72% of Australian arthritis researchers surveyed by Research Australia have been funded by Arthritis Australia.
The NRP plays a vital role as an incubator for early- to mid-career researchers,
funding a range of investigator driven grants, as well as scholarships and fellowships to support talented researchers to develop their careers. That important work will continue.
However, Arthritis Australia is committed to doing more to fund innovative research that addresses the unmet needs of people living with arthritis, and will be investing an additional $200,000 for new ideas based grants in 2027.
Research programs
Arthritis Australia’s National Research Program is open to Australian researchers. Several types of research grants are available.
NEW Arthritis Australia Accelerator Triple A Innovation Ideas Grant
Arthritis Australia is offering a new competitive grant up to $100,000 over one or two years to support bold, high-risk, high-reward research that has the potential to transform arthritis and musculoskeletal care and understanding. The grant is open to all Australian researchers at all career levels.
NEW Arthritis Australia Joint Impact Lived Experience Priority Grant
Arthritis Australia is offering a new competitive research grant of up to $100,000 over one or two years to support projects aligned with the key consumer priority areas identified in our Research Australia reports, including better care models of co-ordinated care, basic science, priority populations and cross-cutting research. The grant is open to Australian researchers at all career levels.
Grants in Aid
Typically up to $25,000 per annum for short-term projects with well-defined aims, which can be achieved within a 12-month period. In some cases, grants-in-aid will address questions which complement established programs of research. Only new investigators and those undertaking allied health research are eligible for these grants, excluding physiotherapists unless they meet the criteria of a ‘New investigator’ (defined as within five years of receiving their PhD). Previous funding from Arthritis Australia and potential overlap with other sources of funding is taken into account.
Project Grants
Larger amounts of funding (up to $75,000 per annum) for substantial projects which are generally undertaken by experienced researchers to generate important results on their own or to improve the likelihood of achieving government funding.
ARA Research Fund Ken Muirden Overseas Fellowship
Up to $100,000, This grant is designed to give a rheumatologist who is about to or has completed advanced training in Rheumatology within the last two years an opportunity to undertake further clinical or research training overseas in an approved institution in any country. This fellowship is funded by the Australian Rheumatology Association Research Fund.
ARA Research Fund / Private Practice Grant
Up to $50,000, this is grant is offered biennially and will be available in this 2027 grant round. The lead investigator must wish to conduct a research program in private practice. The applicant must be employed in private practice for more than 60% of work time (applicant must provide statement). The applicant must have an academic mentor who is an ARA member. The investigator must be based and conduct the research project in Australia. The research is to be conducted within one year.
ARA Victorian Fellowship
Up to $50,000, this fellowship is designed to support self-development of a trainee/Rheumatologist within Victoria. The purpose of the Award is to encourage Rheumatologists to develop expertise in a clinical or research discipline in Rheumatology and to use that expertise in and for the betterment of Rheumatology in Victoria. Whilst the fellowship may be used for interstate projects, the recipient must be a Victorian trainee or graduate.
Scholarships
Arthritis Australia offers scholarships (up to $50,000) for young science and medical graduates to undertake thesis studies into arthritis and musculoskeletal related disorders at recognised universities. These scholarships provide research training to doctorate or masters level and are designed to develop the intellectual and technical expertise required for a career involving laboratory and/or clinical investigation. Scholarships are intended, in general, to support basic and clinical research training within Australian research units and as a precursor to more advanced study in Australia and overseas. Scholarship awards are for one year.
Fellowships
Research fellowships are available for post-doctoral work or following recently completed rheumatology advanced training. Available for research programs both overseas and in Australia.