Second Chance For WA Medical Researchers And Innovators
Western Australia’s Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, which has previously backed some of the State’s brightest minds to make groundbreaking discoveries, is set to spur a new group of researchers to success.
The Cook Government has granted $6.8 million to support 45 WA early career health and medical researchers with vital funding through the WA Near Miss Awards: Ideas Grants and Emerging Leaders programs for 2024-2025, supporting the WA health and medical research sector.
One of the valued researchers to gain support is Dr Akilew Adane from Murdoch University, who wants to build an evidence database so health professionals can optimise health, development and education outcomes for Aboriginal children.
Another exciting project to win funding is Dr Omar Elaskalani, from The Kids Research Institute Australia, who is focusing on age-specific immunotherapy for paediatric cancers.
The grants are aimed at WA researchers who scored highly in their submissions to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant and Investigator Grant programs but missed out due to the funding pool being exhausted.
The funding will support WA researchers at critical stages in their careers, from early career researchers enhancing their ideas to mid-career researchers advancing their leadership potential.
The FHRI Fund, a State Government initiative, provides ongoing funding for health and medical research, innovation, and commercialisation to improve health outcomes, create jobs, and strengthen the economy.
For the full list of recipients visit Future Health Research and Innovation Fund – Funding outcomes .
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The Cook Government is proud to continue supporting the future of medical research and innovation through the WA Near Miss Awards.
“We are committed to ensuring our researchers have the resources and opportunities to improve health outcomes for our community and beyond.
“Past recipients have carried out groundbreaking research thanks to these awards. Last year’s funding has led to researchers making strides in areas such as cancer therapies, diabetes management, and speech disorders.
“These awards give WA researchers a second chance to secure national funding and continue their work. The funding also helps mid-career researchers take the next steps in their careers and drive innovation.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/A-second-chance-for-WA-medical-researchers-and-innovators-20250410