Vanguard Grants

Testing the feasibility of innovative concepts, the Vanguard Grant offers funding opportunities to individuals or research teams.

Applying in biomedical, clinical, public health and/or health services (including clinical service delivery) research, applicants may submit pilot studies and ‘stand-alone’ projects which may lead to larger, more rigorous studies in the future. These projects are expected to produce tangible outcomes with the potential to further advance preclinical research technology or improve cardiovascular health.

Applicants will find two Vanguard Grants programs when applying through the portal. Please choose either the Vanguard Grant One-Year program or the Vanguard Grant Two-Year program in the Grants Management Portal. Your application will need to demonstrate, through the budget, relevance to the purpose of the Vanguard Grant and project plan questions, how this project can achieve its expected outcomes within the chosen timeframe. This is a major consideration by the Peer Review Committee for this grant.

For applicants to be considered for funding, they must meet the following eligibility criteria:  

• The applicant will be considered the Chief Investigator A (CIA) on this project.
• CIA must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or have applied for Australian permanent residency at the time of the application.
• Up to 4 Chief Investigators can be named on an application including the applicant (CIA). Other CI’s may have citizenship outside of Australia or New Zealand.
• CIA must be involved in Cardiovascular Research (including stroke research)
• CIA must also be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period
• CIA must be from an NHMRC Administering Institution. Other named Investigators may be from other research organisations.
• CIA will take intellectual leadership of the project and manage the research and will be the contact person for Heart Foundation correspondence. All other named Investigators are responsible for ensuring that the successful project is undertaken and completed in the manner specified.

What’s the value of the Grant?

• Vanguard Grant One-Year - Applicants can apply for up to $75,000 (maximum budget)  
• Vanguard Grant Two-Year - Applicants can apply for up to $150,000 (maximum budget, with no more than $75,000 per annum) 

When can you apply?

• Applications open: Monday 17 March 2025
• Applications close: Friday 2 May 2025
• Successful applicants notified: October 2025

How should you apply?

Applications must be submitted via the Heart Foundation Grants Management Portal.

Download the  Research Program Funding Guidelines for more details.

*Please note updated 2025 Research Funding Guidelines will be available early 2025