Grant Activities
Bellberry is an independent, not‑for‑profit organisation. Any surplus funds generated through our professional review services are reinvested directly back into the research sector.
Our philanthropic focus
Bellberry’s philanthropic activities are centred on three areas:
• People
• Projects
• Sector leadership
We provide financial and in‑kind support to initiatives that align with our mission: to protect the welfare of research participants and improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.
Supporting people & projects
We invest in Australian researchers by awarding fellowships, prizes and scholarships. Our flagship award is the Bellberry–Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship, valued at $1.375 million over five years.
Other examples include:
• A $10,000 travel grant for the Outstanding First Nations Researcher Medal (AAHMS)
• The $6,500 New Investigator Award (ASCEPT)
We fund projects that:
• Strengthen ethical research practice
• Enhance the research participant experience
• Build Australia’s research capacity
Our programs support individuals and organisations that share our commitment to ethical, transparent and impactful research.
Recent examples include:
• $105,000 to the University of Wollongong’s Ethics Plus AI project, part of a $2.2 million, four‑year national research initiative
• In 2025, $50,000 in grant funding to support participant‑centred programs at major conferences
Certification and accreditation
All Bellberry committees are NHMRC-certified under the National Approach to Single Ethical Review of Multi-Centre Research and are listed on the NHMRC website.
Bellberry also maintains AAHRPP accreditation, demonstrating international alignment with the highest research ethics and participant safety standards.
Transparency and continuous improvement
To promote transparency and public accountability, Bellberry publishes:
- Listings of Waivers of Consent granted by its committees.
- Information on the TGA CTN Scheme, explaining how our HRECs review clinical trials before notification to the TGA
Leading the sector
Bellberry contributes expert insight to support continuous improvement across the life sciences sector. We do this through advocacy, collaboration and leadership, including policy development, standards review and framework design.
Thought leadership
Through our Thought Leadership series, Bellberry is collaborating with ASCEPT to develop national guidelines for the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in Australia. This work is being progressed through a series of international workshops.
Strengthening clinical trials
Bellberry hosts CT:IQ, a member‑led, not‑for‑profit organisation that develops practical resources to support excellence in Australian clinical trials.
CT:IQ created the InFORMed Template Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF), which has been adopted nationally by the NHMRC, NMA, and all Australian state and territory jurisdictions.
Human Research Ethics Committees
Discover how Bellberry's committees operate and maintain the highest ethical standards in research.
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Monitoring & Quality
Learn about Bellberry's continuous improvement and oversight processes that ensure accountability.
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Grant Activities
See how Bellberry reinvests in research education and participant-focused initiatives.
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