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Stroke Foundation funds research through an annual grants program. This grant round will offer a range of opportunities for stroke research teams across Australia to test their ideas in stroke prevention, treatment and recovery. Our grants aim to build capacity in areas of need in stroke research and support the next generation of researchers to become leaders in their field.

Engagement of people with lived experience is a core focus of Stroke Foundation’s research grants. Ensuring safe, supportive and positive engagement is paramount.

Completion of our co-designed e-learning module on how to work effectively with people with lived experience is a requirement of our grants.


Current Grants

This grant round includes three funding opportunities:

  1. Seed Grants – supporting early-stage, priority-aligned stroke research
  2. Childhood Stroke Grant – dedicated support for paediatric and childhood stroke research
  3. Future Leader Grants – including a special stream focused on aphasia research

Applications will open 1 May 2026 for all schemes. Applicants may apply and have the opportunity for award in each scheme where they meet the eligibility criteria. Successful applications will be funded from 2027.

Full instructions for applicants and application forms will be available by the opening of the round. Check this page regularly or sign up to be notified.  


Seed Grants

Seed Grants provide up to $80,000 for projects of up to 18 months, supporting early- to early‑mid‑career researchers and aligned with the top 50% of national stroke research priorities identified for 2027. These priorities were shaped through a two‑year national project involving more than 300 contributors, led in partnership with leading Australian researchers and the Stroke Trials Centre of Research Excellence.

Purpose Generate new knowledge, kickstart innovative projects and provide a platform for emerging researchers to tackle evidence and/or implementation gaps in stroke care and excel in their stroke specialty.
Who can apply Early- to early-mid-career researchers (no more than 7 FTE years of research experience post‑graduation as at the grant round close date; PhD not required). The research must be done in Australia and supported by an Australian university or research body.
Amount Up to $80,000 per grant
Duration

Up to 18 months (effective 1 January 2027 – 30 June 2028)
Scope Clinical, public health, and health services research. (Laboratory/pre-clinical proposals are ineligible.) Proposals must directly align with one of Stroke Foundation’s priority topics (below).
Priority topics

Prevention:

  • Identifying medical conditions that lead to a first stroke
  • Finding and treating unexplained stroke causes
  • Understanding the role of genetic, social and environmental factors, in stroke

Early Treatment:

  • Recognition and diagnosis of stroke/TIA so people receive early treatments faster
  • New treatments to protect the brain in ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke
  • Understand physiological recovery from stroke

Rehabilitation and Life After Stroke:

  • Approaches to recognise and treat post-stroke fatigue
  • Ways to support mental health and well-being
  • Approaches to recognise and improve communication difficulties caused by stroke
  • Best approaches to support people who have problems with memory, thinking or perception caused by stroke, and to prevent post-stroke dementia

 


Childhood Stroke Grant

Every day, up to two children in Australia experience a stroke – and the effect on children and their families is devastating. In 2026, Stroke Foundation’s 30th year, we are proud to introduce a dedicated Childhood Stroke Research Grant, made possible by our generous supporters.

Purpose To enable researchers to tackle some of the most pressing issues affecting children and families including treatment, hospital-to-home transition and better longer-term outcomes for childhood survivors of stroke.
Who can apply Researchers of any career stage. The research must be done in Australia and supported by an Australian university or research body.
Amount Up to $80,000
Duration Up to 18 months (effective 1 January 2027 – 30 June 2028)
Scope

Clinical, public health, and health services research. (Laboratory/pre-clinical proposals are ineligible.)


Examples of study areas include but are not limited to:

  • Evidence for rehabilitation interventions for children
  • Types of family support programs
  • Strategies to improve transition from childhood to adult services


Future Leader Grants

Future Leader Grants are for those who have started on the path, or aspire to be, a leader in stroke research. Applicants are encouraged to provide an example of when you have demonstrated a commitment and/or engagement in a leadership role or activity.

Purpose

 Supports your leadership and capability development (e.g., mentoring, training, research visits, conference activities with mentoring, co-design skill development).
Who can apply Early- to early-mid-career researchers and people with lived experience. Applicants based outside of Australia are ineligible.
Amount Up to $5,000 per grant
Duration 12 months (1 January 2027 – 31 December 2027)
Special stream Dr Anna Correll Future Leader in Aphasia Research (supported by the Dr Anna Correll Memorial Fund).

 

Hear from 2025 Future Leader with Lived Experience Grant Recipient, Brooke Parsons, about applying:

For any queries please contact: