The Albanese Government is investing almost $280 million in health and medical research projects to drive new discoveries, improve prevention, and deliver better care for Australians.
Through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Ideas Grants scheme, 190 projects across Australia will receive funding to pursue creative approaches – from early discovery through to practical solutions – that address key research questions.
Successful grant recipients will undertake new and important research across a diverse range of health and medical challenges to deliver discoveries that improve the health of Australians.
A project focused on gut bacteria and bowel cancer will investigate how changes in the microbiome can be used to improve screening and prevention.
Led by Associate Professor Susan Woods at the University of Adelaide, the research will examine whether these bacterial changes contribute to disease and how they can be harnessed to stop bowel cancer before it starts.
Bowel cancer claims more than 5,000 Australian lives each year, and rates are rising among younger adults.
The Adelaide University team has already discovered a microbiome shift in the bowel cancer gut that can be detected with 100% accuracy in animal models. Similar bacteria have been found in patient samples, suggesting the same phenomenon may occur in humans.
The project will test whether these bacteria can serve as biomarkers for early detection and develop engineered bacterial therapeutics to modify high-risk gut microbiomes.
Bringing together consumer advocates, synthetic biologists, microbial ecologists, cancer biologists and clinicians, this research aims to deliver new strategies to tackle one of Australia’s deadliest cancers.
Further information on the 2025 Ideas Grants projects can be downloaded on NHMRC’s outcomes of funding rounds webpage.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is investing in our brightest minds to push the boundaries of medical research and deliver tomorrow’s health breakthroughs.
"Through the Ideas Grants scheme, we’re investing in bold projects that will tackle some of our biggest health challenges and improve lives across the country.
“This bowel cancer project shows the power of this investment - research that could lead to earlier detection and new ways to prevent one of Australia’s deadliest cancers.
“We are giving Australian researchers the tools to drive innovation that improves care, saves lives, and strengthens our health system for the future.”
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh:
“Innovation in health and medical research is the driving force behind so many past discoveries that have helped shape our healthcare system.
“By empowering our researchers to pursue their bold ideas and collaborate with others, we strengthen the sector’s ability to tackle complex health challenges.
“Congratulations to the researchers receiving funding today - supporting your research innovation ensures that our sector remains at the forefront of global progress, delivering better health outcomes for Australians.”