Program overview
The fourth round of the mRNA Victoria Research Acceleration Fund program (mVRAF Program) is part of the Victorian Government’s investment to grow mRNA capability in the state. The mVRAF Program is designed to capitalise on Victoria’s comparative advantages in research, increase the RNA candidate pipeline of next generation vaccines and therapies and enhance the Victorian economy by growing the RNA ecosystem.
This fourth round of the mVRAF Program fund will provide $1.7 million to support and accelerate mRNA- based therapeutics research through the provision of one-off grants to successful applicants.
The mVRAF Program is designed to complement the Victorian Government’s existing Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund by providing a dedicated funding stream for mRNA-based therapeutics projects. Projects submitted to the mVRAF Program will not be eligible to be submitted to the Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund.
mRNA Victoria and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) will administer this program.
Please make sure to read the program guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQs) before beginning your application.
Who can apply?
- Eligibility Requirement 1 – hold an active ABN, lead and perform the majority of research activity in Victoria. See program guidelines for more information.
- Eligibility Requirement 2 – co-contribution required - 1:1 matched co-contribution required (either financial or in-kind). Grant funding under this fourth round of the mVRAF Program will be provided on the basis that Applicants provide a 1:1 matched co-contribution in the form of either a financial or in-kind contribution (Co-contribution). See program guidelines for eligible co-contributions.
- Eligibility Requirement 3 – collaborative partner requirement - an Applicant is required to collaborate with at least one other organisation . Organisations based outside of Australia are eligible to be collaborative partners, providing the majority of the research activities will be led from and conducted in Victoria. See program guidelines for more information.
What you get
The fourth round of the mVRAF Program will provide $1.7 million (excluding GST) in total funding to successful mRNA projects.
Up to $500,000 (excluding GST) of funding is available for each project.
How to apply
Applicants will need to complete the application form, including providing a detailed project budget and responses against the assessment criteria, compile all necessary supporting documents and complete all required attestations.
Other information
Documents: for accessibility, please provide documents in PDF versions.
mRNA Victoria Research Acceleration Fund Program Guidelines
mVRAF Guidelines Round 4 (DOCX 363.38 KB) 
mVRAF Guidelines Round 4 (PDF 371.79 KB) 
Applications selected for funding will need to enter into a DJSIR Standard Grant Agreement in order to receive the grant payment. A blank copy of the DJSIR Standard Grant Agreement Template is available here for reference.