MedChem Australia can only accept applications from Australian organisations. Researchers from any Australian university, research institute, or SME are eligible to apply. MedChem Australia is a national initiative and we encourage applications from all regions across the country.

In addition to organisational eligibility, there are certain project eligibility requirements. Most importantly, we can only accept projects that are focused on developing small molecule therapeutics. In addition, the presence of suitable existing chemical matter must be demonstrated. These requirements mean that projects of a different modality (cell therapies, biologics, peptides, etc) or are at the early hit discovery stage (still looking for chemistry start points) are out of scope for MedChem Australia.

Projects are selected by an independent and competitive selection process. To apply, you will need to:

1. Complete an optional confidentiality agreement
2. Request an account for our secure application portal
3. Complete an online application form available on our secure application portal

MedChem Australia will make annual calls for projects around late November each year, with the deadline for submission approximately three months later.

Our Round 2 call for applications is currently open with submissions due by 24th February 2025.

All applications are developed and submitted through our secure application portal.

You are welcome to contact us as any time if you have any questions about the application process or any specific question in the application form. If you are uncertain on how to answer any of the chemistry questions, we can connect you to one of our chemists for assistance. Please email admin@medchemaustralia.org in the first instance.

Applications are competitively and independently assessed by the Selection and Review Committee (SRC). This 13-member panel is made up of experts in medicinal chemistry, translational biology, drug discovery, drug development and commercialisation, assembled from Australian research organisations and industry.

Applications are assessed across three equally-weighted criteria; Scientific rationale and impact, Innovation & differentiation, and Feasibility.

Yes, discussions at any stage of the application process are encouraged. Please follow this link to schedule a meeting.

No. No compound structures should be shown in the application form.

Organisations are invited to complete a confidentiality agreement (CDA) to protect confidential information contained in the application. All applications submitted to MedChem Australia will be treated in the strictest confidence. Completing a CDA is optional and the decision of the Applicant- it is not required in order to be able to apply. You can download a copy of the MedChem Australia confidentiality / non-disclosure agreement here.

Yes, a letter of support from your organisation is required as part of the application process.

No, there is no limit on the number of applications from any one organisation.

Projects will run for an initial 8-12 month period before being reviewed by the SRC, with a decision made around project future. Projects would either stop, or be extended for another 1-year term. Resource requirements will also be assessed at this stage.

We aim to announce selected projects within 8 weeks of the application deadline.

Applicants may nominate the MedChem Australia Node that they wish to be assigned to. This will be considered by the MedChem Australia team, but is non-binding.

Our default IP ownership model is that the Project Provider would be commercialisation lead, newly created Project IP is jointly owned by the parties and shared benefits (revenue share) is negotiated Under special circumstances, applicants may negotiate changes to the default IP model on a case-by-case basis.

An 80% subsidy on project costs, applied to internal FTE rates, with the project provider contributing 20%.

Cost after subsidy for a project with a single chemist allocated is ~ $30,000 – $43,000 per 12-month period. This includes consumables and DMPK resources. For more details, please visit the MedChem Australia IP Management and Costs page.