The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
On World Heart Day, the Albanese Government will invest $33.6 million in medical research grants for 41 projects to help reduce the number of Australians affected by heart disease and stroke.
The grants are part of $156.7 million for 93 innovative medical research projects to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
The research projects are diverse, supporting research into areas such as:
- Using stem cells to boost the body's ability to heal
- Genetic analysis to create personalised, more effective treatments
- Partnering with communities to improve culturally sensitive care for First Australians and improve COVID vaccination rates
- Improved management of sports concussion
- Surviving heart attacks
- Reducing strokes using the 'Love Your Brain' app
- New treatments for life-threatening pneumonia and golden-staph infections.
The MRFF grants will be provided across eight areas:
- Cardiovascular Health - more than $33.6 million for 41 projects
- International Clinical Trial Collaborations more than $4.6 million to bring three international clinical trials to Australian patients
- Genomics Health Futures Mission more than $56 million for 20 projects
- Optimising the Clinical Use of Immunoglobulins more than $9.4 million for four medical research projects
- Indigenous Health Research more than $11.5 million for 11 Indigenous-led projects
- Traumatic Brain Injury almost $4 million for two projects
- Stem Cell Therapies more than $24.4 million for seven projects
- Research Data Infrastructure more than $12.2 million for five projects
Details of the projects can be downloaded at Attachment A.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"Heart disease and stroke are two of the leading causes of death in Australia. This research will support our world-class scientists to reduce the number of Australians affected by these diseases.
"The Albanese Government backs our researchers to advance the frontier of medical science and ensure that all Australians benefit from the latest treatments now and in the future."
Quote attributable to a Heart Foundation spokesperson:
"The Heart Foundation has led the fight against heart disease in Australia for more than 60 years and today warmly welcomed the Government's strong investment in cardiovascular research, noting it will continue to build Australia's reputation for research excellence and innovation while saving and improving the lives of the many thousands of people touched by heart disease every year."
