Four young Australian researchers dedicated to changing the lives of survivors of stroke have
been given a significant funding boost.
Announced as part of the 2025 Stroke Foundation Research Grants Program, researchers will
share in $164,669 to advance their projects, bringing them closer to fruition.
One of the projects being funded will develop a program using interactive games on an
electronic floor to improve mobility in survivors of stroke. Another successful research project
will develop an online psychosocial program to support adolescents with stroke in transitioning to adulthood.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, congratulated this year's
outstanding recipients.
"These researchers are committed to making an extraordinary difference in the lives of survivors of stroke and will go a long way in improving treatment, recovery and support for Australians who experience a stroke."
In 2023, more than 45,700 Australians experienced a stroke and there are more than 440,000 Australians of all ages living with stroke across our country.
"Stroke Foundation is immensely proud to support research that we know will have a positive
impact on the lives of survivors and their families," Dr Murphy said.
For the first time in the grants program, people with lived experience of stroke have been
awarded Future Leader Grants. The grant is designed to support their development as
emerging leaders in research.
Stroke Foundation Research Advisory Committee Chair, Prof. Coralie English, says this is an
exciting milestone.
"It is critical that researchers work in partnership with people with lived experience of stroke to ensure the work that we do will make a real difference in people's lives. The Stroke Foundation has a proud history of being early adopters in the field of lived experience co-design. Offering a Future Leader Grant specifically targeted to someone with lived experience of stroke further demonstrates our commitment to excellence in lived experience research partnerships."
Stroke Foundation's Research Grants program has awarded more than $6.7 million in grants to 225 researchers since 2008. "As always, I am impressed by the wonderful work of this year's recipients. I am excited by the research that is being showcased and look forward to seeing these ideas being explored and ultimately moved into delivery in real-world settings.
2025 Stroke Foundation Research Grant recipients:
Early- to Early-Mid-Career Researcher Seed Grant
Dr Lloyd Chan - SmartStep Stroke: A cognitive-motor step exergame program for improving mobility in stroke survivors.
Early- to Early-Mid-Career Researcher Seed Grant
Dr Taylor Jenkin - Finding my way: Co-designing an online psychosocial program to support adolescents with stroke in transitioning to adulthood.
Future Leader Grant
Brooke Parsons
Future Leader Grant
Dr Kelly Miles
