$48.8 million funding boost for health and medical research

The Morrison Government will invest $48.8 million in Queensland-based, world-leading health and medical research projects to improve the lives of all Australians.

Our Government will strengthen Australians’ health through research to prevent illness and deliver better health care as we recover and restore our nation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 27 new projects in Queensland will receive funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), with a further two grants to be funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Priority Round.

Funding will support research in the areas of:

• Cancer – $15 million
• Cardiovascular Disease – $0.6 million
• Mental health – $1.8 million
• Indigenous – $2 million
• Infectious diseases – $12.2 million

Of the grants funded, a total of $12.2 million will go towards eight new research projects in infectious diseases – a significant strength of Australia’s research sector.

Whilst applications for this grant round closed in 2019, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, infectious disease research into influenza and pneumonia may contribute to our understanding of COVID-19 and translate into new treatment strategies and trials.

The funding comes as part of the Government’s almost $400 million investment into health and medical research across the nation.

As part of this funding, QIMR Berghofer Institute of Medical Research will be provided with $2.7 million for research to better understand the genetic basis of breast cancer risk and outcome in the general population, with the aim of reducing breast cancer incidence and mortality.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the research would greatly improve our understanding of the genetics of breast cancer.

“Be it a mother or grandmother, sister or daughter, aunt or friend, many families across Australia know of someone who has battled or sadly lost their lives to breast cancer,” Mr Vasta said.

“This research can not only help us better understand the genetics of breast cancer but use that knowledge to assist in primary and secondary prevention.”

In addition, the University of Queensland will receive $1.4 million for research into chronic disease prevention and management.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP said the medical research funding was further evidence of the Morrison Government’s commitment to strengthening Australians’ health and well-being.

“Medical research plays a vital role in our national health system,”Mr Hunt said.

“Australian researchers continue to innovate, even during these almost unprecedented times and this $48.8 million investment in Queensland will continue the proud Australian tradition of medical discovery and translation into better health for all.”

While this round was closed for submissions last year, we are currently in the process of awarding $42 million for COVID research through the MRFF.

Medical research is one of the core elements of the Australian Government’s $104 billion Long Term National Health Plan. This vital investment across the broad health spectrum will continue the proud Australian tradition of discovery and translation for the better health for all.

A full list of grant recipients is available on NHMRC’s website: www.nhmrc.gov.au.

Funding under the NHMRC & MRFF will be provided to the following institutions:

• Griffith University
• QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of Queensland