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Health data and medical research news

Read our latest news items related to health data and medical research.

News

Emerging health and medical research leaders are solving health problems and improving health care

The MRFF’s Early to Mid-Career Researchers initiative helps emerging health and medical research leaders team up to solve difficult health problems or improve health care. Project leaders explain their ground-breaking research.

Have your say on the Medical Research Future Fund and Medical Research Endowment Account

Consultation on the alignment and coordination of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) is now open.

$50 million for a new childhood mental health research plan

The Australian Government will invest $50 million in the Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Childhood Mental Health Research Plan. This investment will respond to the decline of mental health, and the rise of self-harm and eating disorders, in children.

To celebrate National Reconciliation Week, we ask First Nations health and medical research experts how we are closing the gap

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. First Nations health and medical research experts tell us what we have achieved and what more we can do to improve the health of their peoples.

Committee to advise on Medical Research Future Fund health technology assessment investments

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Chairs Committee will advise on HTA investments under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

Birthing healthy and strong babies on Country

Professor Yvette Roe leads a collaborative partnership that is transforming maternity care to promote the best start in life for First Nations children. The partnership is translating the successful Indigenous Birthing in an Urban Setting study into rural, remote and very remote settings.

Report on Medical Research Future Fund support for medical research and innovation

The Financial assistance to support the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities 2020–2022 report is now available.

Insights into the Medical Research Future Fund Coronavirus Research Response

Read about the research, researchers and institutions funded under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Coronavirus Research Response.

Priorities set for the Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission

The Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan are now available. The Mission is an initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

$77 million for research into cardiovascular health, dementia and aged care and stem cell therapies

Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities to the value of $77 million are now available.

$50 million to support research in to Long COVID

The Australian Government has announced additional funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for research into post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). PASC is commonly known as Long COVID.

Report on Medical Research Future Fund funding for early to mid-career researchers

We have published a report on the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) 2021 Early to Mid-Career Researchers (EMCRs) grant opportunity.

A new patient-centred approach to caring for cancer survivors

Cancer survivors don’t always get the follow-up care they need, according to specialist cancer nurse Professor Raymond Chan. To fix this, Ray is trialling a new nurse-led clinic to coordinate shared care between hospitals and GPs. He hopes shared care will give survivors a better care experience.

Finding new drugs for depression in bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder are depressed for almost half their lives but there is no effective treatment. After searching drug profiles, psychiatrist Professor Michael Berk discovered the common high blood pressure drug candesartan could help. He is testing candesartan in a clinical trial.

Answering research administration officer and stakeholder questions about the Medical Research Future Fund

Read our responses to questions from research administration officers (RAOs) and other stakeholders relating to the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

Principles for consumer involvement in research funded by the Medical Research Future Fund

The MRFF Consumer Reference Panel’s (CRP) Principles for consumer involvement in research funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) are now available.

Performance indicators for measuring the impact of the Medical Research Future Fund

We have published a set of performance indicators for assessing the success and impact of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

Responding to ethical issues in genetics research

Professor Dianne Nicol is passionate about talking to the community about ethical, legal and social issues in genetics research. We asked Dianne about becoming an expert in this field and the most urgent issues in genetics research today.

$382 million for nearly 200 ground-breaking medical research projects

The Australian Government is investing $382 million in nearly 200 medical research projects, including $32 million to improve First Nations health. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

$15 million for research into mitochondrial disease

The Australian Government is investing $15 million for mitochondrial disease research. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

Is human gene editing good for our health? A citizens’ jury speaks

Gene editing allows us to modify our genes. This can cure diseases. But it could also be used in the future to select for traits that give social or competitive advantages. Professor Nicol asked a citizens’ jury to decide under what circumstances we should allow human gene editing.

Upcoming health and medical research grant opportunities

You can now read about Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities forecast to open from April 2023.

$26 million for research to improve the health of LGBTIQA+ communities

The Australian Government will invest $26 million in health and medical research to improve treatment and care for LGBTIQA+ people. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

$12.6 million for international clinical trials to support access to high-quality, evidence-based and effective health care

Researchers can apply for funding under the 2023 International Clinical Trial Collaborations grant opportunity. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

This clinical trial is testing a new cure for a deadly rare blood cancer

In 2018 Scott Griffiths developed a deadly rare blood cancer in his brain. He believed he was going to die. But a new precision medicine developed by his doctor Professor Maher Gandhi cured Scott. Maher is conducting a clinical trial to test if his new treatment works for other patients.
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