The Liberal National Government will invest more than half a billion dollars in world-leading health and medical research that aims to improve the lives of all Australians.
A total of 682 grants will be funded, totalling more than $526 million, through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The funding announced today includes:
- $61 million for cardiovascular disease research
- $86 million for cancer research, including cancers where treatment options are limited and early detection is critical
- $41 million for mental health research projects
- $29 million for diabetes research
- $28 million for obesity research
- $25 million for research focused primarily on improving the health of Indigenous Australians
As the highest recipient of funding of any university or institute, Monash University will receive almost $76 million to support excellent medical research.
The funding includes over $5 million to a team lead by Professor Sophia Zoungas of Monash University for her important cardiovascular disease research.
Professor Zoungas and her team will lead a trial to understand whether statins prolong independent living and reduce cardiovascular events in older adults without established vascular disease or diabetes.
This impressive research project is only one of 682 projects that will continue the proud Australian tradition of ground-breaking discovery and translation into better health for all.
This funding will ensure sustained support for our internationally-competitive health and medical research sector.
Projects announced today support cutting edge ideas from researchers at all careers stages and included research on vaccine development and tackling antimicrobial resistance.
These grants will support our health and medical research workforce, providing greater opportunities for more life-changing medical breakthroughs.
Health and medical research is one of the four pillars of the Government's Long-Term National Health Plan. Our Government is committed to strengthening health and medical research.
The 2018–19 Budget we provided a record total of $6 billion to Australia's health and medical research sector, including $1.3 billion for a health and medical industry growth plan to drive a new era of better health care and fuel jobs and growth.
A full list of grant recipients is available on NHMRC's website
