Through the Medical Research Future Fund, nearly 200 ground-breaking medical research projects will share in more than $382 million in grants, including more than $32 million to improve First Nations health.
The projects will help Australia's outstanding medical researchers, including clinician researchers, discover new ways to diagnose, treat and care for people with a variety of health conditions. They will also support early and mid-career researchers and give more Australians access to clinical trials.
Research projects on cardiovascular disease, primary and preventive health care, respiratory diseases, maternal health, mental health and First Nations health, will receive funding to progress important work.
Two innovative First Nations-led projects to receive funding are:
- University of Newcastle - $2.0 million - Gulibaa (Coolamon) Project.
This will be a co-designed model of care supporting Aboriginal mothers across NSW to be smoke-free in pregnancy and beyond. The project will co-design, embed in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and evaluate a group-based smoking cessation program.
- The Sax Institute - $1.5 million - Healthy Ageing for Aboriginal people.
This project will evaluate the implementation and uptake of prevention programs to support healthy ageing amongst Aboriginal people. The Institute will collaborate with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services which run holistic and culturally safe preventive healthy ageing programs for their communities.
Of the 193 projects funded, 19 grants worth more than $32.3 million are related to First Nations health and a further 13 grants worth more than $16.9 million are related to mental health.
All projects to receive funding can be found here.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"I'm so pleased to announce that nearly $400 million in funding will help Australia's researchers solve the health issues which challenge our community."
"This funding is about strengthening opportunities for Australian health and medical research. It will help commercialise proof-of-concepts, and deepen international research ties now and in the future."
"As the Albanese Government renews the focus on Closing the Gap, it is timely that significant research funding will address health issues that are important to the health of our First Nations people."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McCarthy:
"The Australian Government will work every day to Close the Gap for First Nations people and these cutting-edge research projects will help make a meaningful difference.
"Working alongside talented and expert researchers provides such an important opportunity to discover solutions to complex health issues in the city, towns and the bush.
"Support for the Healthy Ageing for Aboriginal People project is an important investment in understanding how to support and care for our elders.
"The investment in two, innovative First Nations-led projects including pregnant mothers and elders is a testament of our commitment to see a healthier way of life, from birth to old age."
