Idea to Impact: Research in Primary Care

⁠⁠⁠Overview

Hunter New England Central Coast PHN (HNECC Ltd) is inviting primary care professionals across its region to pitch ideas for innovative research in primary health care through the "Idea to Impact: Research in Primary Care" opportunity, delivered by the Primary Care Research Unit (PCRU).

About

The Primary Care Research Unit (PCRU) is a partnership between the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).

Purpose

Pitch Night funding is a one-off grant and is not ongoing. It is designed to provide seed funding to allow practising primary care health professionals the opportunity to test and trial innovative research in a primary care setting. The intention is that support of the research might lead to tangible impact in primary care settings.

Funding

Two pitch events will be held:

• New England region: 3 November 2026
• Hunter, Central Coast and Manning region: 10 November 2026

At each event, up to four (4) short listed applicants will be invited to present their idea in person at a live pitch event and compete for:

• One (1) grant of up to $25,000 (ex GST) to support their research activity
• 12 months of advice and support from the PCRU

If successful in the EOI, shortlisted applicants must participate in all activities related to Pitch Night.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a primary health care professional in the HNECC PHN region and be providing primary health care services in one of the following defined priority regions:

• Hunter: LGAs inclusive of Greater Newcastle and Lower Hunter, being Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland, Cessnock and Dungog
• Central Coast: all LGAs within the Central Coast
• Manning: Taree LGA, Gloucester LGA, and Forster-Tuncurry LGA
• New England: LGAs inclusive of Peel, Mehi and Tablelands, being Tamworth, Gunnedah, Walcha and Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri and Gwydir, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla, Armidale and Glen Innes

Research must be completely independent and all activities must relate to the research project and not routine service delivery. The PCRU, HNECC PHN and HMRI are not responsible for supplying resources, contacts or facilities for the proposed research projects. Please refer to the guidelines for the assessment criteria and weighting.

Previous funding recipients are eligible only if they have fully complied with any previous PHN funding contract commitments, including performance, reporting and acquittal requirements.

Contract Terms and Conditions

The project must be able to be implemented within the 12-month funding and support period. The funding period begins once the grant agreement is executed and signed, and is expected to run from November 2026 to December 2027.

Recipients must agree to participate in bi-monthly meetings with the PCRU to monitor progress, receive advice, and support the successful delivery of their project. A final report is also required at the completion of the 12 months.

How to Apply

• Applications open: 17 August 2026
• Applications close: 11 September 2026

The PHN reserves the right to extend the opening timeframe or close the grant round earlier if fully subscribed.

Primary care professionals practising within the HNECC PHN region may apply through SmartyGrants. The EOI must be submitted as a short 3-minute video submission. Please ensure the guidelines are read fully before submitting an application.