1997-1998
Australia's Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, Budget Document 1997-98
An initiative aimed at strengthening the health and medical research workforce has been announced in the 1997-98 Budget with a funding program in excess of $10 million over a seven-year period.
Fact Sheet 4
New initiative to strengthen Australia's health and medical research capacity
An initiative aimed at strengthening the health and medical research workforce has been announced in the 1997-98 Budget with a funding program in excess of $10 million over a seven-year period.One of the initiative's aims is to encourage young Australians working in overseas research institutions to return to a research career in Australia. Although Australia is a leader in health and medical research, some of our best young researchers move to overseas research institutions immediately after completing their doctorates rather than seek postdoctoral training in Australia. Once they have completed their overseas training it is often difficult for them to secure research support in Australia.
The package has three elements:
- a program of research fellowships which will encourage bright young researchers to return from overseas after gaining valuable international experience;
- scholarships and fellowships in areas of health and medical research identified as areas of research weakness but health priority; and
- a review of Australia's health and medical research workforce to develop a strategy for strengthening Australia's research capacity.
1997-98 $m | 1998-99 $m | 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m |
0.8 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 2.6 |
Fifteen research fellowships will be established to encourage bright young researchers to return to Australia. They will be known as the Howard Florey Centenary Research Fellowships in tribute to one of our most famous scientists. Five will be awarded each year over the next three years, and they will have a two-year tenure.
Funding for health and medical research is an investment in the future health of all Australians because advances in Australian and overseas research will lead to improvements in clinical practice and health service provision. To help achieve this, the Australian health and medical research community must maintain a high level and broad base of skills.
The NHMRC has the primary responsibility for administering Commonwealth funding for the support of health and medical research, advising on the appropriate distribution of funding between the various types of research support, such as project grants and training awards, and on the allocation of funding to priority areas of research.
This measure contributes to total funding of over $156 million in 1997-98 for support of over 1,700 research grants and training awards for research undertaken in universities, hospitals and research institutes, compared with $150 million in the 1996-97 Budget.
Contact: Dr Cindy Wong, A/g First Assistant Secretary, Office of National Health and Medical Research Council. Phone: (06) 289 7178
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