- Cook Government announces $50 million to health and medical research programs
- New health and medical research website goes live
- Website links WA's medical researchers and innovators with funding opportunities
- Government appoints Professor Angus Turner to Future Health Research and Innovation Fund Advisory Council
The Cook Government today announced a $50 million funding boost to support Western Australia's innovative health and medical research programs.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said the $50 million was being made available through the State Government's groundbreaking Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and supports nine funding programs, including a new program.
Opening today's FHRI Fund Open Day in Fremantle, Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson also launched a new website to serve as a one-stop shop for the latest in health and medical research in Western Australia.
The website provides a single destination for research funding and development opportunities and an avenue to promote the State's health and medical research achievements.
This new health and medical research website can be viewed here .
As well as connecting research organisations across WA, the website will highlight funding available to medical researchers and innovators - including grants from the State's FHRI Fund.
Co-hosted with the The University of Notre Dame, today's open day aligned with the West Tech Fest - Australia's longest-running tech and innovation festival.
The FHRI Open Day was themed 'Health Technology for the Future'and highlighted the role technology will play in revolutionising patient outcomes and health care delivery.
The $50 million funding boost supports nine programs, including a new funding opportunity for WA researchers and innovators, called the Innovative Solutions - Precision Health program.
The program aims to build the capacity and capability of innovative precision health initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of Western Australians.
The other eight funding programs include:
- the Co-Funding Partnerships Program;
- the Major Research and Innovation Application Support program;
- FHRI Fund Enabling Scheme;
- Innovation Fellowships;
- Research Infrastructure Support program;
- National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS Partner Program);
- Clinician Researcher Training Program; and
- WA Cohort Studies - Operational Support Program.
Since the last open day in October, the FHRI Fund awarded more than $30 million in grants to WA researchers and innovators:
- Translation Fellowships-Burden of disease and genomicsgrant, more than $1.5 million;
- Cancer Research Project, co-funded by Cancer Council WA, more than $2 million;
- Clinician Research Fellowships, around $2.7 million; and
- National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategygrant, more than $2.7 million.
For more information about new grant programs and recently awarded grants, visit the FHRI Fund website .
Since the Fund was established in 2020, approximately $215 million in grants has been awarded to more than 650 recipients to support health and medical research and innovation in WA. Over the next four years a further $250 million is available to fund more programs and initiatives.
The FHRI Fund Advisory Council also announced a new member - founder and director of Lions Outback Vision, Professor Angus Turner. Professor Turner has a specific interest in providing high-quality health services to regional and remote communities in WA.
In his new position on the advisory council, Professor Turner will play a key role in determining the strategy and priorities of the FHRI Fund and provide advice to the State Government and the Department of Health.
Professor Turner is also director of clinical services at The University of Western Australia's Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science and a clinical lecturer for the Rural Clinical School at the University of Western Australia and The University of Notre Dame.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Government is well aware of the amazing pool of talent that we have in our local health and medical research sector, and this $50 million boost will contribute to keeping this cohort here in WA, where they belong.
"To enhance collaboration and connectivity within our local health and medical research sectors we launched a new website to serve as a central hub to keep people informed, connected and engaged with our research community.
"This website is a valuable resource for everyone - from the community seeking trusted health research information, to researchers and professionals seeking to make a difference.
"This new platform is a catalyst for the advancement of medical research in WA and will contribute towards improving health outcomes and the quality of life for all Western Australians.
"I also welcome Professor Angus Turner to the FHRI Advisory Council. He is a passionate advocate for health and medical research in WA and his enthusiasm and commitment will be most welcome in this new role."
