The Australian Government has announced a substantial investment of $45.1 million in health and medical research, with a focus on improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families across the country.
Through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Project scheme, the Albanese Government is committing $15.8 million to support eleven Australian researchers in their efforts to advance medical knowledge and health services. This investment has been bolstered by an additional $29.4 million from various funding partners, bringing the total funding to $45.1 million.
The NHMRC Partnership Project scheme is designed to foster collaboration between researchers and other stakeholders, addressing critical health and wellbeing questions. Projects funded under this scheme receive support for up to five years and cover a wide range of research areas, including ovarian cancer, diabetes, and the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Among the notable projects receiving funding is a study led by Professor Carlos Salomon of the University of Queensland. His team has developed a new test, OCRF-7, for the early detection of ovarian cancer. The study aims to evaluate the specificity and feasibility of OCRF-7 in identifying ovarian cancer compared to other cancer types, with the goal of making this test available for clinical use.
At Griffith University, Professor Lara Farrell is leading a project focused on bridging the gap between scientific research and service delivery for Australian children and young people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Her work aims to transform community mental health services and inform future policy decisions.
Another key project is led by Associate Professor Christina Aggar of Southern Cross University. Her research focuses on enhancing the nurse-family carer partnership through the development of a Prevention and Early Delirium Identification Carer Toolkit (PREDICT). This initiative seeks to prevent delirium, reduce its incidence, and lower associated hospital costs, ultimately driving systemic change in delirium management.
A comprehensive list of the funding outcomes for the 2023 Partnership Projects Peer Review Cycle 2 round is available on the NHMRC’s website.
Quotes from Key Figures
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP, emphasized the importance of research in achieving medical breakthroughs: “As a former nurse, I know just how important research can be for medical breakthroughs to support patients and families. Australia is known right around the world for its health and medical researchers. Labor’s multimillion-dollar investment will help support our research industry and medical innovation.”
NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh, highlighted the impact of the Partnership Project scheme: “NHMRC’s Partnership Project scheme supports the translation of research through effective integration of findings into health policy and service delivery. Projects that take an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach help us address the many intricacies associated with some of Australia’s greatest health challenges. Our committed investment in our researchers, alongside the valued backing of our partnership organizations, will result in new discoveries, evidence, and ideas for future partnerships.”
This significant investment underscores the Australian Government’s commitment to advancing health research and improving the well-being of families across the nation.
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