Clinician Researchers initiative
The Australian Government is investing $190.8 million over 10 years in the next generation of talented Australian researchers. This initiative supports health care professionals researching topics important to clinical care.
What is the Clinician Researchers initiative?
The Australian Government is investing $190.8 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) in clinician researcher fellowships over the next decade. This provides money for health care professionals who work with patients to carry out research projects.
Why is the Clinician Researchers initiative important?
Many health care professionals have had to choose between life as a researcher or a clinician. This can mean that research doesn’t address problems seen in clinical practice.
What are the goals of the Clinician Researchers initiative?
The initiative's goals are to help the next generation of talented Australian health professionals drive research questions, develop new discoveries and ensure implementation of best practice care for their patients.
How will we meet these goals?
The Investigator Grants: MRFF Priority Round grant opportunity opened on 2 October 2019 and closed on 27 November 2019. Thirty early-to-mid-career researchers have been awarded 5-year grants in 2 cohorts, with the first starting in 2020 and the second in 2021.
Research programs have a focus on research translation and contribute to the following MRFF priority research areas:
- Australian Brain Cancer Mission
- Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission
- Genomics Health Futures Mission
- Dementia, Aged Care and Ageing Mission
- Indigenous Health Research Fund
- Stem Cell Therapies Mission
- Cardiovascular Health Mission
- Traumatic Brain Injury Mission
- Preventive and Public Health Research
- Primary Health Care Research
- Global Health
The Investigator Grants: MRFF Priority Round will provide the highest-performing clinician researchers with funding for their salary (if required) and a research support package for 5 years in areas that align with priorities in the MRFF 10-year plan.
See the initiative snapshot for details of how we plan to meet these goals.
MRFF snapshot – Clinician Researchers
This snapshot shows this initiative at a glance. It includes budgets, early funding priorities and grant timelines, as at November 2019. Researchers and other stakeholders can use it to plan for upcoming opportunities and see how the initiative will be established, expanded and embedded over time.
Who works with us on the Clinician Researchers initiative?
The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funds the initiative.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources administer this initiative.
Apply for funding
We will list future grants on GrantConnect when they open. If you want GrantConnect to notify you about future MRFF grants:
- register with them
- enter ‘MRFF’ in the keyword section of your GrantConnect profile
Status
Upcoming grants
There are currently no upcoming grants.
Open grant rounds
The 2020 Clinician Researchers: Applied Research in Health grant opportunity opened on 14 December 2020 and will close on 12 April 2021.
Grants being assessed
There are no grants currently being assessed.
Grants awarded
We have awarded the following grants under this initiative, as at 30 October 2020.
Funded Institution |
Project Name |
Chief Investigator/s |
Total Funding |
Australian National University |
Implementation of a peer worker-led mental health recovery program |
Doctor Michelle Banfield |
$179,118 |
Burnet Institute |
Advancing diagnostics and vaccines for malaria elimination |
Doctor Jack Richards |
$437,036 |
University of Melbourne |
Improving patient management pathways in age-related macular degeneration |
Doctor Lauren Ayton |
$179,118 |
Curtin University |
Pharmacy Interventions for Naloxone Scale-Up (PINS) |
Doctor Joanna Moullin |
$181,066 |
National Ageing Research Institute |
Translating dignity principles into practice in aged care homes |
Doctor Joan Ostaszkiewicz |
$181,066 |
Flinders University |
Enhancing the capacity of mental health services to review, personalise and intervene early through implementation of real-time outcome monitoring |
Associate Professor Niranjan Bidargaddi |
$179,118 |
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health |
Mild traumatic brain injury and the risk of long-term neurodegenerative and neurobehavioural disease |
Associate Professor Paul McCrory |
$577,189 |
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research |
Improving outcomes in osteoporosis and bone health |
Professor Jacqueline Center |
$343,683 |
La Trobe University |
Implementing appropriate exercise and education for Australians with knee osteoarthritis |
Doctor Christian Barton |
$179,118 |
La Trobe University |
Translating evidence to improve access to paediatric therapy services |
Doctor Katherine Harding |
$181,066 |
Monash University |
A national cancer outcome strategy |
Professor John Zalcberg |
$487,893 |
Monash University |
Cognitive Phenotyping and Personalised Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction |
Associate Professor Antonio Verdejo-Garcia |
$476,728 |
Monash University |
fungalAi: Breaking the mould of the traditional antifungal stewardship paradigm |
Doctor Michelle Ananda-Rajah |
$181,066 |
Monash University |
Generating and translating evidence into practice in women’s health and beyond |
Professor Helena Teede |
$494,733 |
Monash University |
Improving outcomes for critically ill patients after traumatic brain injury and blood transfusion |
Professor David Cooper |
$412,278 |
Monash University |
Improving outcomes in low back pain: Targeting specific therapies to patient subgroups |
Doctor Donna Urquhart |
$429,055 |
Monash University |
Next Generation Targeting of DNA-Methylation in Poor Risk Lymphoid Cancer |
Associate Professor Jake Shortt |
$218,518 |
Monash University |
Novel targeted onco-theranostic nanoparticles for personalised therapy and real-time monitoring |
Doctor Karen Alt |
$431,000 |
Monash University |
Optimising Emergency and Trauma Systems through evidence based pathways |
Professor Peter Cameron |
$412,278 |
Monash University |
Precision medicine for epilepsy and beyond: from discovery to implementation and evaluation |
Professor Patrick Kwan |
$481,156 |
Monash University |
Reducing Brain Injury and Improving |
Associate Professor Flora Wong |
$241,702 |
Monash University |
Translational Research Program to Advance Clinical Outcomes in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia |
Associate Professor Andrew Wei |
$412,419 |
Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
Implementing evidence based management for children with dystonic cerebral palsy |
Doctor Adrienne Harvey |
$181,066 |
Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
Improving the health and development of high risk preterm newborns |
Associate Professor Jeanie Cheong |
$333,710 |
Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
Improving upper limb function in Hereditary Cerebellar Ataxia |
Doctor Louise Corben |
$431,000 |
Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
Significance of low-level mosaicism to intellectual disability in paediatric disorders |
Doctor David Godler |
$476,728 |
Queensland University of Technology |
Embracing digital disruption in hospitals to improve outcomes among vulnerable people |
Associate Professor Steven McPhail |
$483,404 |
Sydney Local Health District |
Implementing fasting guidelines within an acute hospital surgical setting |
Doctor Sharon Carey |
$181,066 |
The University of Queensland |
Early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer |
Professor Kwun Fong |
$487,893 |
The University of Queensland |
iAx: Instant assessment and personalised feedback in alcohol use disorder |
Doctor Matthew Gullo |
$181,066 |
The University of Queensland |
Improving paediatric critical care outcome |
Associate Professor Andreas Schibler |
$348,495 |
The University of Queensland |
Personalised early detection of melanoma |
Professor H. Peter Soyer |
$577,189 |
The University of Queensland |
Scaling, spreading, and sustaining The Systematised, Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Program for impLementation and Evaluation (SIMPLE) – a multi-site implementation program |
Doctor Jack Bell |
$181,066 |
University of Melbourne |
Closing the communication gap in chronic disease |
Doctor Alison Beauchamp |
$179,118 |
University of Melbourne |
Complex depression and anxiety in youth: Innovative e-therapy and biotherapy clinical trials |
Doctor Simon Rice |
$349,629 |
University of Melbourne |
Elimination of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) as a Public Health Threat |
Professor Alexander Thompson |
$481,156 |
University of Melbourne |
Examining new treatments and developing new treatment biomarkers for youth with severe depression |
Associate Professor Christopher Davey |
$333,710 |
University of Melbourne |
From simulation to translation: A new quality improvement program for antibiotic prescribing in general practice |
Doctor Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis |
$181,066 |
University of Melbourne |
Neuroimaging in mental health: the quest for clinically useful biomarkers |
Assistant Professor Lianne Schmaal |
$431,000 |
University of Melbourne |
Optimising interventions for Staphylococcus aureus and skin infections |
Associate Professor Steven Tong |
$333,710 |
University of Melbourne |
Optimising Respiratory Therapies to Improve Outcomes for Preterm Infants |
Doctor Brett Manley |
$305,925 |
University of Melbourne |
Precision therapy for neurological diseases |
Doctor Tomas Kalincik |
$476,728 |
University of New South Wales |
Catch them when they fall: Providing best evidence care after a suicide attempt |
Doctor Fiona Shand |
$179,118 |
University of New South Wales |
Determinants of the outcomes from infectious diseases |
Professor Andrew Lloyd |
$577,189 |
University of New South Wales |
Discovery to therapy implementation in acute stroke |
Professor Christopher Levi |
$577,189 |
University of New South Wales |
Improving internet-delivered psychological therapies for depression and anxiety |
Doctor Jill Newby |
$431,000 |
University of New South Wales |
Reducing the burden of dialysis catheter complications - a national approach |
Doctor Sradha Kotwal |
$179,118 |
University of New South Wales |
Sepsis Outcomes Research |
Professor Bala Venkatesh |
$278,795 |
University of New South Wales |
Understanding and optimising the delivery of chronic disease care for better cardiovascular outcomes |
Associate Professor Meg Jardine |
$476,728 |
University of Sydney |
Clinical Trials To Improve Outcome of Cancer Patients |
Associate Professor Mustafa Khasraw |
$483,404 |
University of Sydney |
Decreasing unnecessary surgery for low back pain |
Associate Professor Manuela Ferreira |
$476,728 |
University of Sydney |
Improving health outcomes for disadvantaged children |
Professor Elizabeth Elliot |
$577,189 |
University of Sydney |
New approaches for treatment of alcohol use disorder |
Professor Paul Haber |
$418,050 |
University of Sydney |
The role of cortical dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) pathophysiology |
Professor Ostoja (Steve) Vucic |
$585,270 |
University of Sydney |
Vaccine safety research in understudied and at risk groups: critical knowledge to inform practice and policy |
Associate Professor Nicholas Wood |
$286,037 |
University of Tasmania |
Exercise is medicine so why don't General Practitioners prescribe it? |
Associate Professor Andrew Williams |
$181,066 |
University of Tasmania |
Improving musculoskeletal pain by matching the right treatment with the right patient |
Doctor Dawn Aitken |
$431,000 |
University of Tasmania |
Sustaining oral and systemic health in Residential Aged Care Facilities |
Associate Professor Leonard Crocombe |
$179,118 |
University of Western Australia |
Community-based studies of diabetes and infectious diseases |
Professor Timothy Davis |
$585,270 |
University of Western Australia |
Developing personalised treatment for retinal degeneration |
Doctor Fred Chen |
$258,600 |
University of Western Australia |
Maximising health for older Australians |
Professor Leon Flicker |
$585,270 |
University of Western Australia |
Nutritional strategies for allergy prevention |
Doctor Debra Palmer |
$431,000 |
University of Western Australia |
Translational Research on Malignant Pleural Effusion and Pleural Infection |
Professor Y C Gary Lee |
$481,156 |
University of Wollongong |
Implementing a health literacy focused dietetic outpatient model of care for people with chronic kidney disease |
Ms Kelly Lambert |
$179,118 |
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research |
Translational research to drive improved diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases |
Professor Ian Wicks |
$418,050 |
La Trobe University |
Closing the evidence-practice gap in occupational health practices to prevent musculoskeletal disorders |
Associate Professor Jodi Oakman |
$179,118 |
University of South Australia |
Evidence-based digital technologies for health behaviour |
Associate Professor Carol Maher |
$1,118,593 |
Macquarie University |
Screening and Risk Reduction for Dementia in Primary Care |
Professor Viviana Wuthrich |
$1,562,250 |
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research |
Advancing Personalised Treatment in Colorectal Cancer with Tissue and Liquid Biomarkers |
Associate Professor Jeanne Tie |
$1,187,350 |
University of Melbourne |
Closing the critical knowledge gaps in perinatal genomics |
Associate Professor Lisa Hui |
$1,281,125 |
University of Western Australia |
Preventing Bronchiectasis in Indigenous People |
Doctor Andre Schultz |
$1,131,125 |
University of New South Wales |
Tackling it with Tech: Using novel Internet solutions to overcome the burden of depression in youth |
Doctor Bridianne O'Dea |
$620,205 |
University of Melbourne |
Saving time, saving brain through prehospital stroke care |
Doctor Henry Zhao |
$645,205 |
Menzies School of Health Research |
Moving together towards the elimination of chronic Hepatitis B in the Northern Territory |
Doctor Jane Davies |
$1,131,125 |
Monash University |
Optimise Primary Aldosteronism Detection For Better Health Outcomes |
Doctor Jun Yang |
$570,205 |
University of Western Australia |
Better penicillin, better hearts: improving secondary prevention of rheumatic heart disease |
Doctor Laurens Manning |
$1,281,125 |
Flinders University |
Meeting psychological needs to improve the quality and safety of aged care |
Doctor Monica Cations |
$420,079 |
Monash University |
Using a purpose-built digital assessment tool to determine the mechanisms driving addictive behaviours and its utility to improve treatment engagement and outcomes |
Doctor Sze Lee |
$645,205 |
University of Melbourne |
A Neural Systems Model to Optimize Treatment Outcomes in Binge Eating Populations |
Doctor Trevor Steward |
$645,205 |
Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
Establishing the early diagnosis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors in adults with repaired aortic arch obstruction: The key to decreasing premature death |
Doctor Melissa Lee |
$329,041 |
The University of Newcastle |
Sustaining the implementation of evidence-based chronic disease prevention programs in education |
Doctor Nicole Nathan |
$1,562,250 |
The University of Newcastle |
Personalised biomarker-guided management of asthma during pregnancy |
Doctor Vanessa Murphy |
$1,562,250 |
University of Sydney |
Policy-driven research to improve the immunisation program for young children |
Professor Thomas Snelling |
$1,062,555 |
Deakin University |
Improving outcomes for children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their carers |
Associate Professor Emma Sciberras |
$1,544,073 |
The University of Queensland |
Supporting adults to sit less and move more for chronic disease prevention and management |
Associate Professor Genevieve Healy |
$1,487,455 |
University of Sydney |
Innovative regenerative therapies for heart repair |
Associate Professor James Chong |
$1,562,250 |
Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
Keeping children out of hospital by being smarter with antibiotics |
Associate Professor Penelope Bryant |
$1,281,125 |
University of Melbourne |
Minimising infective complications in the era of immune-based cancer therapies through precision, prediction and prevention |
Doctor Benjamin Teh |
$1,165,633 |
University of New South Wales |
Investigating novel therapies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction |
Doctor Clare Arnott |
$387,123 |
University of Melbourne |
Putting 3D printing into the reality of surgery: an approach for regenerating joint cartilage within the body using one-step surgery |
Doctor Claudia Di Bella |
$447,603 |
The University of Queensland |
Immuno-genetic biomarkers of response in a prospective study of immune checkpoint therapy in primary CNS lymphoma |
Doctor Colm Keane |
$1,393,575 |
The University of Adelaide |
Understanding molecular pathogenesis of therapy related myeloid neoplasm |
Doctor Devendra Hiwase |
$620,205 |
University of Melbourne |
Developing a coherent national approach to the clinical and public health management of invasive Strep A disease |
Doctor Katherine Gibney |
$1,449,800 |
University of Melbourne |
Blood based detection and monitoring of pre-malignant clonal haematopoiesis to predict clinical outcomes in the immunocompromised |
Doctor Paul Yeh |
$620,735 |
The University of Newcastle |
A big problem needs a big solution: Advancing the science of scaling up chronic disease prevention interventions |
Doctor Rachel Sutherland |
$1,562,250 |
University of Melbourne |
The male experience of eating and body image disorders |
Doctor Scott Griffiths |
$1,562,250 |
Total |
$55,504,674 |
We publish the details of all MRFF grants we have approved after they have been tabled at budget estimates, supplementary budget estimates or additional estimates. This means there is a delay between us approving grants and the details appearing here.
Related information
See a list of all MRFF grant recipients.
Contact
For more information, contact us.
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) contact
Contact for more information about the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), or to provide feedback on the MRFF website.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funds high quality health and medical research to build research capability, support researchers, encourage the translation of research into better health outcomes and promote the highest ethical standards for health and medical research.
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Contact the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).