- Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Open Day connects researchers
- New FHRI funding initiatives to inject $16 million into the sector
- WA Clinical Trials Roadmap to set standards for clinical trials
The Cook Government is planning to invest $16 million into driving a connected and innovative ecosystem for Western Australia's health and medical research sector.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson made the announcement at today's Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Open Day. He said the event was vital in uniting the State's top health and medical researchers to help improve future healthcare in WA and showcase new ideas.
The Minister launched the newly developed WA Clinical Trials Roadmap which will set the standard for quality and capacity of clinical trials in WA, and guide future FHRI Fund investments.
Five new FHRI funding programs were announced with the State Government planning to invest up to $16 million into the sector as the programs roll out.
The programs include the Early Career Child Health Research Fellowships which have been designed to keep more WA-based PhD graduates involved in local child health research.
There is also the Targeted Call - Health System Solutions program which will support the development of innovative solutions to significant business challenges identified by public Health Service Providers.
Since the last open day in March, almost $60 million has been awarded to 87 recipients.
Today's Open Day was held at The University Club of Western Australia and co-hosted by WA Health's Office of Medical Research and Innovation and the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub (WALSIH).
Several prominent guest speakers presented at the event including Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of OncoRes MedicalDr Simon Graindorge, new FHRI Fund Advisory Council Chair Rebecca Tomkinson and Professor Fiona Wood AO, who also recently joined the council.
The Cook Government established the FHRI Fund in 2020, which is backed by the State's almost $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund. This has resulted in nearly $250 million being 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.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"With the future of healthcare underpinned by innovation and technology, research is critical for finding new and better ways of delivering healthcare and improving the health of Western Australians.
"Working toward creating a better-connected ecosystem can turn ideas into a reality, improve patient outcomes and lead to a more responsive healthcare system.
"These open days provide an opportunity for the sector to collaborate and develop new ideas that can make a significant difference to those working in the health and medical innovation sector.
"The Cook Government remains committed to helping more local researchers pursue innovative medical research projects with new grants backing world-leading research projects that save lives here in WA and around the world."
