Prevention Research Support Program

​​​​​​​​​​The Prevention Research Support Program (PRSP) provides funding to NSW research organisations conducting prevention and early intervention research that aligns with NSW Health priorities. PRSP funding aims to support research, build research capability, and enable translation of evidence from research into policy and practice.

Applications for Round 7 funding are now open​​​

​The NSW Ministry of Health invites expressions of interest for funding under Round 7 of the PRSP for the period July 2026 to June 2030.

Round 7 will be a targeted grants scheme with funding allocated to action-oriented research addressing one of the three priority research streams. The total amount of funding available for allocation under the PRSP will remain $12 million for Round 7.

Round 7 of the PRSP will enable strong engagement between funding recipients, policy areas, local health districts, primary care, non-g​overnment and Aboriginal community-controlled health services, to ensure research remains responsive to system needs and is translated to policy and practice in NSW.

Researchers will be encouraged to form consortia to ensure the breadth of expertise required to address the priority research stream being applied for is available.

Priority research streams for Round 7

The following three priority research streams have been identified for Round 7 of the PRSP:

  • ​​​​​​Stream 1:
    • ​​​Embedding a population health and clinical preventive care approach to obesity and diabetes prevention and management in health service delivery, with an equity focus.
    • Physical activity – primary and secondary prevention approaches for adults and children.​
  • ​​​Stream 2:
    • Infectious disease capability, preparedness and response.​​​
  • Stream 3:
    • ​​Maternity and the first 2000 days (including preventive care, management of alcohol and substance use, and service interventions to prevent the primary causes of low birth weight).

​Streams are aligned with priorities in prevention and population health, including recommendations from the COVID-19 Response Inquiry, the NSW Government Performance and Wellbeing Framework themes, the First 2000 Days Framework, and priorities identified as part of the Drug Summit and NSW Government Response to the Ice Inquiry.​

How to apply

​Intending applicants should refer to the following resources:

All applications will be assessed against the selection criteria set out in the Expression of Interest form. All applications must be submitted on the provided Expression of Interest form and must be submitted electronically to MOH-PRSP@health.nsw.gov.au​. All funding will be provided on the basis of the NSW Health Grant Agreement.

Organisations previously funded under the PRSP may re-apply for funding under this round. However, there should be no expectation that PRSP funds will continue to go to the same organisations or collaborations.

Applications close

Applications close at 11:59pm AEST, 14 July 2025.

Enquiries

All enquiries should be directed to MOH-PRSP@health.nsw.gov.au. Questions and the Ministry's responses will be posted on this page as frequently asked questions. Please check regularly as these will be updated.​

​​Frequently asked questions

This list of questions and answers will be updated regularly. ​

  • The briefing sessions were not recorded, but the slides presented at the briefing sessions are available on the Round 7 briefing information page.  ​

  • ​​The application process will include a brief Expression of Interest (EOI) form to be submitted to the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence. This form will not require applicants to submit a research plan but applicants will be asked to describe how the consortium meets the research capabilities relevant to the priority stream. The selection panel will review submitted EOIs. In the event that none of the consortia that apply are considered to possess the range of skills and capabilities required for the work stream, the selection panel may suggest that some consortia work together in order achieve the full complement of expertise required. A selection of consortia will then be invited to the next stage of the application process, which is a presentation to the selection panel and interview.

  • A small number of potential applicants have inquired as to whether the Ministry is able to assist researchers in forming a consortium. As described above, after reviewing the submitted EOIs, the selection panel may suggest that some applicants work together to achieve the breadth of expertise required. The Ministry will not provide applicants with additional assistance in forming consortia.​​

  • Further details on the application process and timelines will be provided shortly.​​

  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to form a consortium to ensure they cover the breadth of expertise required to comprehensively address the full scope of the relevant priority stream.​​

  • The aim for Round 7 of the PRSP is for a single grant to be awarded per priority research stream.​​

  • One of the aims of this funding stream is to build on and extend prevention research capability in NSW. All of the grant funding awarded must be allocated to NSW-based institutions/staff. Consortia can include investigators from other jurisdictions if required, however, they cannot receive funds from the grant.​​

  • An annual prospective workplan will be agreed between the Ministry and each successful consortium. This will set the research agenda for that year. At the end of each year, each consortium will submit an annual report describing their progress against the agreed workplan and any other activities undertaken as part of the PRSP.​​

  • The lead investigator will receive the funding and be responsible for administering it. We anticipate that upon agreement of the annual workplan with the Ministry of Health each year, consortium members will work together to allocate funding within the team to align with the workplan deliverables.  ​​

Current as at: Friday 6 June 2025
Contact page owner: Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence