- Call-out for bold applications to lead the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund's inaugural flagship Spotlight Program
- $25 million available to one successful lead applicant to coordinate and deliver a State-wide response to Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)
- RHD disproportionately impacts people experiencing disadvantage
- Cook Government investing in health outcomes to benefit all Western Australians
Medical researchers and innovators still have time get apply for the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund's inaugural Spotlight Program, a flagship initiative designed to drive transformational change on one uniquely Western Australian health challenge each year.
The first Spotlight focus is Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a preventable but devastating condition that continues to disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across Western Australia. Theconditionisparticularlyprevalentamongchildren aged5to14years.
The Spotlight Program will provide up to $25 million over five years to one successful lead applicant who will bring together researchers, health professionals, community organisations and other partners to design and deliver a coordinated, State-wide response to RHD.
The program is intended to strengthen collaboration across sectors, build research and innovation capacity and deliver measurable improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of RHD through a communityinformed, actionoriented approach.
Applications close 1.00pm (AWST), Wednesday, 11 March 2026, and can be made via the government grant management system: Future Health Research and Innovation Fund - Spotlight 2025-26 Rheumatic Heart Disease
Western Australia will also host the World Heart Federation World Congress on Rheumatic Heart Disease in November 2026, bringing global researchers, practitioners, advocates and community leaders to Perth to share knowledge and accelerate efforts to eliminate RHD.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"We are focusing on the ambitious goal to help eradicate RHD. The Spotlight Program is about bringing the sector together around one bold challenge and backing strong leadership to deliver lasting change.
"Since its establishment in 2020, the FHRI Fund has awarded more than $282 million to more than 810 recipients, with a further $292 million available over the next four years to support health and medical research and innovation aligned to Western Australia's priorities.
"This is about making WA the place for groundbreaking discoveries that deliver life-changing research outcomes."
"This initiative underscores the Cook Government's commitment to advancing medical research and innovation for healthier communities across WA."
