Grant application process

Grant application process

Submitted a grant application?

All SCHN researchers (Chief Investigators or not) must notify the Research Grants Office at the time of any grant application submission. Notification is required for every submission, not only for successful grants.

Failure to notify at submission will limit the Research Grants Office's ability to provide timely support and may result in non-compliance with institutional requirements.

Notification must be completed via our online grant submission notification form.

SCHN grant notification form

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) encourages staff to identify and apply for relevant grant opportunities to fund important research initiatives. To help facilitate SCHN review and support of these applications, the Research Grants Office provides step by step processes.

Submitting a grant application

Determine if SCHN will be the administering institution

SCHN is not an NHMRC administering institution. Some grant schemes require an NHMRC administering institution. Such schemes include, but are not limited to, NHMRC and MRFF grants. If you are unsure whether your application requires an NHMRC administering institution, please contact the Research Grants Office.

If SCHN will be the administering institution, you will need to register interest in applying to SCHN by emailing the Research Grants Office, with details on:

  • The grant you are applying for
  • When submissions are due
  • If you require a letter of support

You will then be provided with any submission requirements. On occasions, applications may be capped per institution and require local culling.

SCHN details for Host/Administrating Institution/Research Office Contact is:

  • Name: SCHN Research Grants Office
  • Email: SCHN-ResearchGrants@health.nsw.gov.au
  • Address: Kids Research. The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Level 2. Corner Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street. Westmead NSW 2145.
  • Phone: (02) 7825 1400

Confirm Manager and/or Head of Department support

SCHN researchers are always required to inform their Line Manager and/or Head of Department of any grant applications they are involved in, prior to submission.

On occasions, written confirmation of support from the SCHN Manager and/or Head of Department may be required.

Submit the application for preliminary review (if applicable)

Should a SCHN researcher require an administrative review of their grant, a draft application must be sent to the Research Grants Office at least 2 weeks prior to the submission deadline.

Obtain SCHN endorsement

SCHN Investigators can request a Letter of Support/Letter of Endorsement. More information can be found via the SCHN intranet (inaccessible by non-SCHN staff).

Submit the application

Submit the final application as per the grant scheme instructions.

Notify the Research Grants Office

Upon submission of your grant application, please notify the SCHN Research Grants Office of your submission via the online form.

This form must be completed by researchers regardless of:

  • Chief Investigator role (including whether they are CI-A or not)
  • Allocation of grant funds
  • Whether SCHN is the administering institution

Timely notification allows the Research Grants Office to:

  • Maintain oversight of all grant activity across SCHN
  • Track submission volume and funding trends
  • Ensure appropriate governance and institutional reporting
  • Assign the appropriate level of pre- and post-award support

SCHN grant notification form

Grant application tips

Before you consider applying for a grant, please ensure that:

  1. You are eligible to apply
  2. Your Line Manager and/or Head of Department support your application
  3. It aligns to relevant SCHN policies

Before you submit a grant application, please ensure your application:

  • Aligns with the grant objectives and/or topic
  • Follows the grant guidelines
  • Appropriately answers the grant questions and address the marking criteria
  • Is Clear, Concise and Compelling (3 C’s)
  • Has been proofread by colleagues
  • Has been checked for spelling, grammar, formatting and word limits

Ensure hospital names are entered correctly and in full (in the first instance), i.e.

  • The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN)
  • Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick (SCH)
  • The Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW)

Budget

It is important that applications have accurate and consistent budget calculations, including: 

  • All figures adding up correctly
  • Costs reported consistently across all sections of the application
  • Full‑time equivalent (FTE) effort aligned with roles, timelines, and budgeted salary support

For assistance with budget development and salary costs calculations for SCHN staff, please contact the Research Grants Office.