- FHRI Fund Open Day in Albany focused on benefits for regional health and wellbeing
- More than $12 million in funding awarded to boost medical research since July 2024
- Seven funding programs to be launched during open day event
A Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Open Day in Albany today will highlight the significant advances in regional health and medical research.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said regional health was a key priority for the Cook Government as demonstrated with the success of the recent Pilbara healthcare initiative, 'The Challenge'. The Lions Outback Vision won the $5 million prize to introduce Australia's first mobile retinal camera using artificial intelligence (AI) to screen for eye disease.
The theme for the FHRI Fund Open Day in Albany - partnerships for regional health and wellbeing - will focus on how collaboration between metropolitan and regional areas is strengthening Western Australia's healthcare system.
In collaboration with The University of Western Australia (UWA) Albany campus and the WA Country Health Service, attendees will hear about a range of new medical research and innovation initiatives.
Several prominent speakers will present at the open day event, including FHRI Fund recipient and UWA associate professor Kathryn Modecki, FHRI Fund recipient and The Kids Research Institute Australia senior research fellow Dr Gail Alvares, and medical coordinator at the Rural Clinical School WA professor Kirsten Auret AM.
Since the last open day in July 2024, almost $12 million has been awarded across numerous FHRI Fund grant programs.
A further seven funding programs will be launched today in Albany, providing researchers plenty of opportunities to showcase the important work they are doing in the area of health and medical research.
The Distinguished Fellows Program 2024-25 will attract outstanding and innovative world-class research leaders to WA, who will lead high-quality research programs.
The Major Research and Innovation Application Support Program provides financial support for research applications being submitted to national and international grant funding rounds to boost their chance of success.
The FHRI Fund Consumer and Community Involvement Support Program offers financial support to researchers and innovators looking to include consumers, communities, and people with lived experience at every stage of their activity.
Other programs will support researchers to win national grants, early-stage innovators and co-funding partnerships with the FHRI Fund.
The Cook Government established the FHRI Fund in 2020, which is backed by the State Government's almost $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund. More than $185 million has been allocated to 627 projects since it was established. An additional $250 million is available over the next four years to support health and medical research and innovation in Western Australia.
Information about funding outcomes and other funding opportunities can be found on the FHRI Fund website.
Comments attributed to Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Regional health is a key priority for the Cook Government as we continue to explore how technology can counter the challenges of distance.
"The FHRI Fund Open Day is an opportunity to bring together some of the brightest minds in health innovation, and it's through these partnerships that we can provide better health outcomes for Western Australians.
"Our Government is committed to leveling the playing field so that health outcomes in the regions are on par with those in the city.
"WA's future in medical research lies in the strategic partnerships that we build during events such as this, and I have no doubt we will continue to position our State as a hub of global innovation."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"I am delighted to see the launch of these health innovation programs, which will undoubtedly add value to Albany and the Great Southern region in terms of health outcomes.
"Improved collaboration between metropolitan and regional health programs will deliver better health results for people living in the regions, and I look forward to the Albany community reaping the benefits."
