NHMRC Research Trackers 2009
December 2009
NHMRC Tracker 22 December 2009
Call for research into services structures for severe and persistent mental illness
‘Effective health care’ is identified as a major health issue in the NHMRC Strategic Plan 2006-2009. NHMRC’s previous National Health Committee indicated that there was a need for research to inform health policy development for people with chronic and persistent mental illness.
To address this need, Mental illness - Services for severe and persistent mental illness has been included as a Strategic Plan Initiative in the 2010 Project Grant application round. NHMRC hopes that high quality research will lead to:
- identifying which service structures best support optimal client outcomes (across the domains of welfare, rehabilitation, housing, physical health and mental health) for people with chronic and persistent mental illness;
- promoting change in practitioner practices in line with research outcomes; and
- trialling of new and innovative systems of care based on evidence of "what works".
Project Grant applications in the following areas are particularly encouraged:
- evaluation of systems of care that encourage cooperation and coordination of services across relevant areas of health, vocational rehabilitation and disability support;
- improving knowledge about the capacity within service systems to achieve effective outcome measurements and monitoring of individuals in the system; and
- mechanisms to prevent system failure in health, rehabilitation and disability support.
Further information on NHMRC’s Priority research area of Indigenous health, the NHMRC Strategic Plan Initiatives and Special Initiatives (externally funded), can be found in the Project Grants funding Policy for funding commencing in 2011 on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC announces the Marshall and Warren Award
Professors Robyn Warren and Barry Marshall's discovery that a bacterium Helicobacter pylori is responsible for much gastric disease has reduced suffering, and saved the health system significant expense in surgery, hospitalisation, and chronic drug treatment.
NHMRC is proposing that each year a small number of highly innovative, potentially transformative Project Grants each year be designated the Marshall and Warren Award.
In 2010, each Project Grant Review Panel (GRP) will be requested to identify up to one highly innovative application to be considered for the Marshall and Warren Award. Research Committee will consider the fundable applications identified by the GRPs and recommend a small number for support.
Australia Fellowship round five – EOI opening and closing date amendment
Australia Fellowship round five will open for Expressions of Interest on the amended date of 10 February 2010 for funding commencing in 2011.
The amended closing date for Expressions of Interest is 25 March 2010. NHMRC particularly invites translational researchers (practice or policy) to apply.
Research and Practitioner Fellowships: Extension of Closing Date for Applications
We wish to advise that the closing date for applications for Research Fellowships and Practitioner Fellowships for funding in 2011, which opened on 14 December 2009, has been extended by one week to Friday 12 February, 2010.
Old closing date: Friday 5 February, 2010
New closing date: Friday 12 February, 2010
Christmas Message
The CEO and staff of NHMRC would like to extend our best wishes to Tracker readers and a special thank you to all who have helped with peer review, guidelines development, service on ethics committees and community involvement in research in 2009. We hope you have a happy (and healthy!) break.
NHMRC Tracker 11th December 2009
NHMRC Project Grants – 2010 funding round
Call for applications for the 2010 funding round of NHMRC Project Grants opened on 8 December 2009. Applications close on 17 March 2010.
All applications are to be submitted online through NHMRC’s new Research Grants Management System (RGMS). Access to RGMS, including an updated information sheet is available on the NHMRC website.
Research and Practitioner Fellowship applications
Research and Practitioner Fellowship applications open on 14 December 2009 and close at midnight (AEDST) on 5 February 2010, for funding commencing in 2011. The funding policies, guide to applicants and on-line application will be available on the NHMRC website.
All applications are to be submitted online through NHMRC’s new Research Grants Management System (RGMS). RGMS logon for the Research and Practitioner Fellowships applications will be available from 17 December 2009.
Access to RGMS, including an updated information sheet is available on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC TRIP Fellowship Scheme
Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) is a new early-to-mid career fellowship scheme to support the translation of research findings into clinical practice.
Applications open on 18 December 2009 and close at 5pm (AEDST) 1 March 2010, for funding commencing in October 2010. The funding policy, guide to applicants and application forms will be available on the NHMRC website from December 18, 2009.
Please note this scheme is not currently part of the NHMRC's new online Research Grants Management System (RGMS).
NHMRC Partnership Projects – Second Call
Applications for the second call for funding under the NHMRC Partnership Projects initiative will be available from 5 February 2010. This call will close 30 April 2010.
The Funding Policy will be accessible on the NHMRC website from 22 December 2009.
Career Development Awards for funding commencing in 2011
Applications for Career Development Awards to commence in 2011 will open on 13 January 2010 and close on 30 March 2010.
The Career Development Awards funding scheme aims to further develop Australian health and medical researchers early in their career. It will enable investigators to establish themselves as independent, self-directed researchers; expand capacity for biomedical, clinical, public health and health service delivery research, for evidence-based policy development in Australian health systems; and encourage the translation of research outcomes into practice.
Further information can be found on the NHMRC website.
Australia Fellowship round five – opening date amendment
Australia Fellowship round five was anticipated to open on 9 December 2009 for funding commencing in 2011. However due to unexpected delays in the revision of the Australia Fellowship funding policy, NHMRC will notify Research Administration Officers of the revised Australia Fellowship round five opening date shortly.
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) – 2010
NHMRC joined the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) in November 2004 on behalf of the Australian research community. This enables Australian researchers the opportunity to apply to the HFSP for:
Research Grants – Program Grants & Young Investigator Grants
Pre-registration and letters of intent are called for from December to January and full applications are due mid-September.
Long-Term & Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships
Applications are called for in June and the final award decision is made by Board of Trustees in March the following year.
Career Development Award
Applications are called for in June and decisions on awards are announced in April the following year.
For more information please visit the HSFP website.
Australian – European Union Collaborative Research Grants
The European Commission (EC) is currently calling for proposals under its Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) on Alternative Testing Strategies. Australian researchers interested in participating in projects with international researchers should contact the FP7 Health National Contact Points for information.
Details about the FP7-HEALTH-2010-Alternative-Testing call are available on the EC website.
Rules for submitting applications to the NHMRC are available on the NHMRC website.
National Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care
NHMRC is developing National Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care. An initial round of stakeholder consultation, literature review and a service providers’ workshop have informed the first draft of the Guidance, produced as a discussion paper for the major stakeholder forum held on 10 December 2009.
The Guidance will be further developed and provided to the NHMRC Council next March, prior to a public and targeted public consultation in April 2010.
Australian Infection Control Guidelines – public consultation
NHMRC and the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare invite individuals and organisations to comment on the draft Australian Infection Control Guidelines: Preventing and Managing Infection in Healthcare. These draft Guidelines address the core principles of infection control and provide the evidence base for prevention and management of Healthcare Associated Infection.
The Guideline and supporting evidence will be available on the NHMRC website in early January 2010.
Improving stroke management in Australian emergency departments
NHMRC has released a stroke care package designed to improve care for people presenting to the emergency department with acute stroke and transient ischaemic attack.
More information and copies of the stroke care bundle are available on the NHMRC website.
Venous Thromboembolism Guidelines
NHMRC has released the Australian Guideline for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE).
The Guideline is intended for use by doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals but also provides useful information for consumers and those responsible for the quality and safety of healthcare.
The Guideline and supporting documentation are available on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC Congratulates NICS Fellowship Leaders in health care
Six leaders in Australian health care celebrated the completion of their NICS Implentation Fellowships last month, benefiting areas as diverse as stroke rehabilitation, osteoporosis management, and management of chronic kidney disease.
They are:
- Associate Professor Danielle Mazza, Monash University
- Dr Bridget Hamilton, University of Melbourne
- Ms Bhavini Patel, Royal Darwin Hospital
- Dr Annie McCluskey, University of Sydney
- Clinical Associate Professor Charles Inderjeeth, North Metropolitan Health Service in WA
- Mr John Cannell, Launceston General Hospital
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – Research: the excitement and the challenges
In the last podcast of this series, Associate Professors Steven Stacker and Marc Achen reveal the challenges and excitement in their work of trying to understand why and how cancer spreads.
This is the last scheduled issue of Tracker for 2009. The first 2009 issue will be released on 22 January 2010.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers Season’s Greetings from all of us at NHMRC.
NHMRC Tracker special edition 4th December 2009
What is RGMS?
The Research Grants Management System, or RGMS is NHMRC’s new online system for lodging grant applications, managing the assessment of applications, and managing grants once awarded.
RGMS is replacing Informed-Filler and NHMRC’s current grants management system, RMIS (Research Management Information System).
Why is RGMS being implemented?
NHMRC’s existing IT support arrangements for managing grant applications, and peer review are outdated and the technologically supporting RMIS has become difficult to maintain. It also does not provide the level of support and information that is now required in the management of research applications and grant funding.
RGMS will streamline our grant application process, including peer review and allow us to run more flexible schemes.
What will I use RGMS for?
Researchers will use RGMS to lodge applications for all NHMRC funding schemes except Australia Fellows* and NHMRC EU Collaborative Health Research Grants.
Researchers who hold NHMRC grants will be able to manage their grants on-line using RGMS.
All researchers involved in NHMRC’s peer-review processes will also do this through RGMS.
* Note: RGMS will not be used for Round Five of the Australia Fellowship Scheme. The application process for Australia Fellowships will be published on the NHMRC website on the opening date of 9 December 2009.
What will be the benefits from implementing RGMS?
RGMS is a secure web-based system that will enable applications to be made on-line in real time. It is based on proprietary software and provides NHMRC with an integrated system for managing all aspects of the research funding cycle (from lodging applications through to acquittal of grants).
NHMRC used RGMS successfully during 2009 for two funding schemes (Development Grants and Centres of Research Excellence) it will now being used for all schemes (except for Australia Fellows* and NHMRC EU Collaborative Health Research Grants).
An important feature is the on-line CV tool. Researchers only need to enter their CV once (and can update it any time), and RGMS automatically extracts the information into research funding applications. The CV can also be exported for other uses.
Being web-based, RGMS automatically generates emails to advise applicants, external assessors and peer reviewers at appropriate times in the research application and funding process.
What impact will RGMS have on me?
Being a new IT system, it will take some time for researchers and Research Administration Officers (RAO) to become familiar with the functions of the system. The look and feel of RGMS is quite different to what you are used to.
Until now, NHMRC has provided specific application forms for each funding scheme. RGMS uses account-based access that looks dramatically different. However, it gives you access to a substantially greater amount of functionality.
When you open your account (see below), you will need to fill out your CV. While you may find that there is some work associated with filling out this information initially, keeping it up to date will not be difficult.
In addition, if you are nominated to be an external assessor or a grant review panel member, you can expect to receive emails at key stages of the peer review process advising you of what is being sought from you, and what you should do about it.
How will my CV be stored and used?
RGMS includes a Profile & CV section for all users. The CV will be stored in RGMS on NHMRC’s server. This means that once completed, all you will need to do for future applications is to keep your CV up to date – there is no need to re-enter information already in the system. You can update your CV information at any time.
Nobody but you will have access to your CV or be able to edit it. RGMS will automatically extract information from your CV into grant applications you are associated with. However you will be able to export your own CV for other uses.
You may find that some sections of the ‘Profile & CV’ are not applicable to you personally and you may choose to leave these blank. Additionally, different sections of the ‘Profile & CV’ may be used in different applications. Details of what sections of the ‘Profile & CV’ will be used in different applications will be available from a users home screen in RGMS.
We understand that it will be a little tedious to complete your ‘Profile & CV’ the first time, but once complete, it will simply be a matter of keeping your CV updated.
Will applications be different in RGMS?
There will be little difference in the information needed to complete an application compared to previous requirements. However, the look and functionality of RGMS is completely different from your NHMRC grant application and management experience of the past. Any changes in the information required from last year will mainly be due to changes in the funding policy.
Note we are maintaining the research proposal as a separate PDF attachment that will be uploaded into RGMS. Whilst substantially the same as in previous years, some information previously included in the PDF attachment may be captured in other sections of the application and no longer needed. Check the guide to applicants (in RGMS) for what is required in the PDF attachment.
How do I get access to RGMS?
If you already hold an active grant with NHMRC, you will automatically be provided with an RGMS account. You will be sent an e-mail on 17 December, containing information telling you how to activate your account and:
- access the system;
- fill out the areas of the ‘Profile and CV’ relevant to your scheme (a list of these will be available in the system from users’ home screen);
- start an application; and
- access the guide to applicants for the scheme you are applying for.
All RAOs will also automatically be provided with an RGMS account.
If you don’t currently hold an active NHMRC grant, instructions on how to get an RGMS account will be available on the NHMRC website at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/rgms on 17 December 2009. You will be able to request a new RGMS account through RGMS’s automated login/password function called ‘RGMS Identity Manager’.
When will applications open and when will I get access to RGMS?
We anticipate that RGMS will go live on 17 December 2009, for all NHMRC funding schemes (except Australia Fellows and NHMRC EU Collaborative Health Research Grants). The relevant dates are as follows:
- 8 December 2009 - Project Grants Policy released.
- 14 December 2009 - Researcher Fellowship and Practitioner Fellowship Policy released.
- 17 December 2009 – Current NHMRC grant holders are emailed instructions detailing how to activate their pre-prepared RGMS accounts.
- 17 December 2009 – RGMS goes live. Researchers can log into RGMS.
- 17 December 2009 - Project Grant application forms open in RGMS.
- 17 December 2009 - Researcher Fellowship and Practitioner Fellowship application forms open in RGMS.
- 17 December 2009 – RGMS: Identity Manager is launched allowing new users to request new RGMS accounts.
Will training be provided?
RGMS includes a help system (CA Productivity Accelerator) that enables you read about each part of the RGMS you interact with, or to have the help system step you through what you have to do at each stage.
RAOs will have special access rights in RGMS, and we are working with them prior to the opening of RGMS to make sure they are familiar with its features. While we encourage you to contact NHMRC in the first instance if you encounter problems, you should also make your RAOs aware so they can help share learnings with your colleagues.
Who do I contact if I have any problems?
The introduction of RGMS is a significant change for NHMRC and the research community. Though we have thoroughly tested it through this year’s Development Grants and Centres of Research Excellence schemes, we are prepared for new problems to arise over the coming months. In readiness we have increased our Help Teams to answer general inquiries and more detailed technical issues. We will also have a Blog available on NHMRC’s website from January 2010.
We are keen to make RGMS as good as possible and we welcome your feedback so we can optimise it for future rounds. Feedback can be provided through the Research Help Centre, the Blog, or the RGMS Help team.
Contact details for the Help teams are as follows:
Research Help Centre
For information regarding funding schemes, policies, help filling out application forms, and feedback or suggestions:
Ph: 1800 500 983
Email: help@nhmrc.gov.au
RGMS Help
For technical errors, system failures, and feedback or suggestions:
Email: RGMS@nhmrc.gov.au
We anticipate, as with all new IT platforms, that there will be teething problems, and we will be working to quickly resolve any problems that might arise. We will keep you informed of any problems and solutions we develop to address the problems.
We appreciate the significance of this change and thank you for your understanding during this transition into RGMS.
November 2009
NHMRC Tracker 27th November 2009
New electronic grant management submission system: Implementation Update
NHMRC’s new Research Grants Management System (RGMS) will be used for the first time for all applications in 2010.
Further information will be provided in a special edition of Tracker next week and at the RGMS webpage.
NHMRC Funding Calendar (2009-2010)
Opening and closing dates for NHMRC funding schemes for 2010 is now available on the NHMRC website.
HoMER Certification Scheme Handbook
The Handbook for the National Certification Scheme of Institutional Processes related to the Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) has now been released.
The Certification Scheme Handbook can be found on the NHMRC website.
The Handbook may be subject to change. Please complete the "stay in touch" form on the Certification Handbook Scheme page to be advised when any updates occur.
Proposal for an Australian Research Integrity Committee
NHMRC, ARC and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research have developed a proposal to establish an Australian Research Integrity Committee (ARIC). The ARIC will investigate and advise on concerns that institutions have not followed Part B of the Australian Code of the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) when investigating allegations of research misconduct. Stakeholder submissions on the proposal are invited by 14 December 2009, but we will accept submissions up to 14 January 2010.
Stroke care package released
NHMRC has released a stroke cae package designed to improve care for people presenting to the emergency department with acute stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
Stroke is Australia’s second leading cause of death after coronary heart disease and is a leading cause of disability.
There are approximately 60,000 new and recurrent strokes in Australia each year. Effective treatment in the emergency department can improve long term patient outcomes.
Copies of the stroke care bundle will be available on the NHMRC website on 30 November.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – What will you do with your life?
How many young people expect when they finish high school they should know what to do with the rest of their lives? Dr Julia Pitcher says this is unrealistic.
In this podcast she explains how it took her 20 years to go from high school to realising her life’s path lay in medical research.
NHMRC Tracker 13th November 2009
John McCallum to join NHMRC
NHMRC is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor John McCallum as Senior Scientist Public Health, heading up the Health Evidence and Advice Branch from 1 February 2010.
Following the review by Professor Don Nutbeam last year the NHMRC has strengthened its capacity in public health through this new position based in the Canberra Office. Professor McCallum is currently Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University and before that was Executive Dean of Health at University of Western Sydney.
Outcomes of NHMRC Project Grants
Project grants, the NHMRC’s largest round of grants, were announced in October. The number of applications for grants increased by 17% from the previous year and the average grant size rose to $561,400. Although the NHMRC’s expenditure on research rose by $82m over the same period, the success rates for project grants fell from 27% to 23%.
H1N1 workshop
NHMRC will hold a workshop on Human Influenza H1N1 in Canberra on 10 and 11 December 2009. The researchers funded under the urgent call for research on H1N1 will exchange their early findings with the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, State and Territory Chief Health Officers and key policy and decision makers.
Integrated comprehensive health centres
On 7 December 2009, NHMRC will lead a Roundtable discussion with Australia's universities, research institutes, hospitals and State government departments.
The December Roundtable will consider ways in which clinical, academic and research leadership at our major tertiary hospitals can best be fostered.
HoMER Stakeholder Briefings
NHMRC is holding stakeholder briefings on HoMER (Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review) in each capital city. NHMRC will guide attendees through the national certification scheme for institutional ethical review processes and stakeholders’ responsibilities in this national approach. The meetings are open to all interested people involved in multi-centre research. Details of your closest briefing can be found on the NHMRC website or alternatively you can express your interest in attending via email.
Dr Sue Phillips appointment to Guidelines International Network Board of Trustees
Congratulations to Dr Sue Phillips, Interim Executive Director of the National Institute of Clinical Studies, on being elected to the Guidelines International Network (G-I-N) Board of Trustees 2009-2010.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – Killing cancer without collateral damage
A new technique in the fight against cancer targets radioactive atoms to tumour cells without damaging adjacent normal cells.
In this podcast, Associate Professor Roger Martin talks about the work of his team in developing and refining the technique and explains how scientists are constantly on a journey of learning.
October 2009
NHMRC Tracker 30th October 2009
Minister Announces NHMRC Grants for 2010
The Minister for Health and Ageing has announced $487 million funding for 913 grants, provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council, to boost the nation’s health and medical research effort.
The largest slice of the overall funding has gone to Project Grants, 53 of these for new investors. Other grants announced included Fellowships, Career Development Awards and Enabling Grants.
Information on all funded grants is on the NHMRC website.
Revision of NHMRC’s Administering Institution policy
In October 2008, the CEO of NHMRC advised that NHMRC was revising its Administering Institution policy. It is anticipated that changes will be released for consultation later this year, with implementation of the policy to occur in 2010.
Until the new policy is agreed, NHMRC has decided not to register any more Administering Institutions or Accredited Independent Medical Research Institutes under the current policy at this time. Institutions that have not been registered as Administering Institutions and that wish to apply for NHMRC funding should continue current arrangements for managing grants through another NHMRC Administering institution.
For institutions already registered, existing arrangements will continue until 31 December 2010.
If you have any further questions please contact NHMRC on (02) 6217 9050 or 1800 223 391 or email the Program Assurance Section.
New Research Grants Management System (RGMS): Implementation Update
Development of the RGMS is entering its final stages. Over the next two weeks our development team will undertake the last round of live testing with researchers.
We expect to the system to go live in mid November 2009 to allow researchers to complete their profile and CV. Full roll-out is anticipated for December 2009.
Further information can be found at the RGMS webpage.
Public Consultation: Draft Guidelines for the Screening, Prognosis, Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Glaucoma
NHMRC, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Ageing, has developed the draft Guidelines for the Screening, Prognosis, Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Glaucoma.
NHMRC is seeking comments on these Guidelines from interested organisations and individuals.
Public Consultation is open until Monday 23 November 2009. More information can be found on the NHMRC website.
Revision of privacy guidelines (s95 and s95A)
An update about the revision of the Guidelines Under Section 95 of the Privacy Act 1988 (s95) and Guidelines approved under Section 95A of the Privacy Act 1988 (s95A) is now available on the NHMRC website.
New advice for National Statement
NHMRC’s Australian Health Ethics Committee has developed Using the National Statement 1: Payments to participants in research, particularly clinical trials. The advice is formatted so that it can be printed off and inserted into individual copies of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). We suggest insertion at the end of Chapter 3, p38.
The document is available on the NHMRC Website.
Public Consultation of the draft Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
NHMRC, in collaboration with the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, has conducted a review of outdated sections of the 2004 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
NHMRC is seeking comments on the revised content from interested organisations and individuals.
Public Consultation is open until Friday 15 January 2010. Further information can be found on the NHMRC website.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – Good news on Indigenous kids’ health
“We didn’t find any evidence that Aboriginal children were more likely to have kidney abnormalities at an earlier age than non-Aboriginal children.”
So says Dr Elisabeth Hodson from the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney. She explains, and talks about how she became involved in children’s health, in this podcast.
NHMRC Tracker 16th October 2009
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New Partnership Grants announced by Prime Minister
In a joint release the Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Health announced $21 million to support 27 projects as part of the first NHMRC Partnership for Better Health Grants.
These new types of grants aim to form partnerships between researchers and authorities responsible for health policy and practice. This aims to ensure the outcomes of research can be applied immediately to health care practice and policy, helping governments and communities that are seeking to implement effective, innovative and proven strategies.
CEO Newsletter
Professor Warwick Anderson’s October Research Newsletter is now available. This issue includes news about Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, conflicts of interest and health reform.
Public Consultation - Ethical issues involved in the transition to palliation and end of life care
NHMRC’s Australian Health Ethics Committee has released Ethical issues involved in the transition to palliation and end of life care for people with chronic conditions: A Discussion Paper for patients, carers, and health professionals for public consultation until 8 January 2010. The Discussion Paper document and supporting material is available on the NHMRC website.
Accelerating Ethics Review
NHMRC is planning a series of stakeholder briefings in each capital city on the Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) project.
The meetings in late November/early December will step attendees through the national certification scheme for single ethical review and the responsibilities of stakeholders in the national approach.
Researchers, administrative staff and HREC members at institutions interested in multi-centre research should register their interest in attending by emailing the Research Integrity Section. Further information about the HoMER project can be found on the NHMRC website.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – Curiosity leads to diabetes breakthrough
Can the same curiosity that once led a high school student to become a research scientist also lead to a discovery that helps diabetes sufferers?
In this podcast Professor Len Prof Harrison explains how curiosity and an inspiring mentor led to his research career and discoveries that may lead to new ways to prevent and cure Type 1 diabetes.
NHMRC Tracker October 2nd 2009
Strong support for H1N109 swine flu vaccination program
Members of the new Council for 2009–12 met for the first time in Canberra this week.
NHMRC has endorsed the Australian Government’s immunisation plan to offer free pandemic vaccination (swine flu) to all Australians ten years and over.
Aussie Research wins $25m of US funds
Australian researchers have attracted over $25 million from the National Institute on Ageing, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States, for a trial of low-dose aspirin in people aged 70 and over.
The ASPREE – ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly - project will be led by Professor John McNeil of Monash University in Australia and Professor Richard Grimm of the Berman Center for Outcomes & Clinical Research in the USA.
Preliminary funding of $3.5m for the trial was provided by the NHMRC, with additional support from Victorian Cancer Agency, National Heart Foundation of Australia, Alfred Hospital Research Fund and Bayer Health Care.
NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee Announced
Membership of NHMRC’s Embryo Research Licensing Committee for 2009-2012 has been announced.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – Targeting highly-prized molecules
G-protein coupled receptors, or GPCRs, are molecules found on the surface of living cells. They are the targets for about half of all known drugs in use today.
In this podcast, Professor Karin Eidne talks about GPCR research, reveals what inspired her to get involved in this area and offers sage advice to anyone thinking of pursuing a research career.
September 2009
NHMRC Tracker 18th September 2009
Recognition for NHMRC Peer Reviewers
NHMRC thanks all those involved in reviewing grant applications in 2009. NHMRC’s system of peer review depends on researchers giving their time and expertise to assist in providing reviews for almost 4000 applications across all of our funding schemes.
NHMRC will soon be acknowledging all external assessors in our funding rounds in 2009 on our website.
The list that we will be putting on the website shortly may also be useful in assisting institutions in assessing which of their researchers contribute to the support of the health and medical research system.
New NHMRC Principal Committees Announced
The establishment and membership of NHMRC Principal Committees for 2009-2012 have been announced.
- Research Committee
- Australian Health Ethics Committee
- Human Genetics Advisory Committee
- Health Care Committee
- Prevention and Community Health Committee
ALERT - Centres of Research Excellence Scheme closing next week
Closing date for receipt of online applications is Friday 25 September 2009.
All applications for Clinical, Public Health, and Health Services Research Centres of Research Excellence are to be submitted online through NHMRC’s Research Grants Management System (RGMS). Applicants without an RGMS ‘login’ will need to complete the RGMS access form.
Further information on RGMS and the CRE Funding Policy available on the NHMRC website.
Guidelines for Prostate Cancer - Public Consultation
The Australian Cancer Network (ACN) has developed the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Locally Advanced and Metastatic Prostate Cancer.
The draft Guidelines are intended for use by practitioners and health workers and are wide-ranging in scope, covering prevention, screening, diagnosis and psychosocial matters as well as the clinical aspects of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Comments on the draft Guidelines are invited by 5 October 2009. The ACN intends to submit these guidelines to NHMRC for approval, following consultation and review.
Further details of the process for public consultation can be viewed at on the Australian Cancer Network website.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – Keep on breathing while you sleep
Seeking insights into the mechanisms behind upper airway collapse during sleep and anaesthesia, Professor Peter Eastwood and his team found posture plays a significant role in reducing the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea.
In this podcast, Professor Eastwood talks about that work and paints a picture of day-to-day life as a biomedical researcher.
NHMRC Tracker 4th September 2009
New National Health and Medical Research Council appointed
The Australian Government has announced the appointment of the new NHMRC Council for 2009-2012. NHMRC is the government’s peak body for funding health and medical research in Australia, funding nearly $719m in research in 2009.
The new Council will serve to 30 June 2012 and will be chaired by Professor Michael Good, who has been appointed for a second term.
HoMER pilot — expressions of interest
The Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) Project is seeking expressions of interest from researchers to participate in pilot exercises starting in November 2009. The exercises are aimed at multi-centre health and medical research conducted in multiple jurisdictions.
The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) which would normally review the research project individually will be engaged in a cooperative analysis and discussion of the review process. The use of both prospective and retrospective research projects will be considered.
The pilots will assist with the development of the national approach for single ethical review of multi-centre research. For more information please email the HoMER project group or phone (02) 6217 9213.
Nutrition @ NHMRC
As part of its work program to revise the Dietary Guidelines, NHMRC has launched an online survey for current and potential users of the guidelines. The aim of the survey is to collect data on current usage and to enable participants to make suggestions which will be considered in revising the guidelines.
The survey will be open until 30 September 2009 and can be accessed on the NHMRC website.
Guidelines on Type 2 Diabetes
NHMRC has recently released four Diabetes Type 2 guidelines, namely:
- National Evidence Based Guideline for Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes;
- National Evidence Based Guideline for Case Detection and Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes;
- National Evidence Based Guideline for Patient Education in Type 2 Diabetes, and
- National Evidence Based Guideline for Blood Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes.
These Guidelines are part of a suite of five Guidelines being developed in cooperation with the Department of Health and Ageing and the Diabetes Australia Guideline Development Consortium.
The Guidelines can be accessed on www.nhmrc.gov.au or on the Diabetes Australia website.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2009 – We are what our grandmother ate
A pioneer in the emerging field of epigenetics reveals how highschool biology led her to investigate why genes do what they do. Working with identical twins, Professor Susan Clark and her team found that ‘we are what our grandmother ate’. In this podcast, she explains what this means in genetic terms.
August 2009
NHMRC Tracker 21st August 2009
10 of the Best Research Projects 2009
10 of the Best Research Projects 2009 describes ten Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the 8,000 medical research projects currently funded by NHMRC. These projects include research into how to smart bomb cancer, beat diabetes, and give children a healthier start in life.
The book and accompanying series of podcasts was developed to encourage the next generation of health and medical researchers, and was launched by Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, as part of CSIRO’s National Science Week activities.
Pilot eGenetics subsite goes live
NHMRC has launched the pilot eGenetics subsite, an online central access point for existing Australian resources relating to human genetics.
The subsite contains NHMRC developed information as well as resources that have been submitted by various organisations involved in human genetics.
The pilot subsite is a work in progress and NHMRC encourage relevant organisations to submit resources to be considered for addition to the site. The application form and information about the submission process can be found on the NHMRC website.
Australian – European Union Collaborative Research Grants
NHMRC has undertaken a review of the NHMRC-European Union (EU) Collaborative Research Grants scheme. The scheme helps Australian researchers participate in projects with international researchers under the European Commission’s (EC) Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
The revised NHMRC-EU scheme Funding Policy, approved by Research Committee in May this year, and the revised Application Form, are available on the NHMRC website.
Information about the recently published FP7 calls is available on the EC website.
Minor amendment to National Statement
NHMRC’s Council has agreed with a recommendation from the Australian Health Ethics Committee that a minor amendment be made to the 2007 National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. This change affects the chapter on People with a cognitive impairment, an intellectual disability or a mental illness (Chapter 4.5).
Details of the change are available on the NHMRC website.
Panel for development and presentation of evidence based health advice
NHMRC has released Request for Tender RFT2009/27 to establish a comprehensive panel of providers with relevant expertise to assist with the development and presentation of evidence based health advice and resources which will include:
- clinical practice and public health guidelines;
- systematic reviews and literature reviews;
- public statements; and
- information papers.
Interested parties should download the RFT documentation from AusTender.
Any enquiries regarding this RFT should be addressed in writing to Ms Sue Moore.
Tenders must be lodged at: Tender Box, Level 1 Foyer, 16 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra, ACT, 2601 by 2:00pm (AEST) Thursday 24 September 2009.
Podcast: 10 of the Best Research Projects 2009 – Saving young lives from sarcoma
In the first of this new series, Associate Professor David Thomas of Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre talks about what inspires him to do medical research. In this podcast he reveals that coming into contact with young people with cancer is a strong motivator to finding better ways of treating the disease.
Tell your colleagues about Tracker
NHMRC is currently updating our Tracker subscriber database.
We are keen for all members of the research community to have access to Tracker as it is our primary way of communicating with researchers.
If you have any colleagues that you think would value NHMRC’s Tracker’s latest announcements on research and funding, please send them to www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/subscription/index.htm.
NHMRC Tracker 7th August 2009
Important Consultation: Health and Medical Research Strategy
As communicated in Tracker on 19 June 2009, NHMRC has prepared a consultation paper setting out a draft National Strategy for Medical Research and Public Health Research, an essential component of our 2010-2012 Strategic Plan.
The draft consultation paper has been developed through NHMRC’s Research Committee and Council, has taken into account the recommendations of the three reviews of our research funding and peer review processes.
Comments on the draft National Strategy are invited until 28 August 2009.
Call for Abstracts - Water and Health in a Time of Climate Change
The ‘Water and Health in a Time of Climate Change’ workshop will be held at the NHMRC Offices on Tuesday 6th of October, 2009. The outcomes of this workshop will help guide NHMRC’s research and advisory functions in relation to water quality.
Please see the NHMRC website for details on how to register for this workshop and/or submit an abstract for consideration. Eight or ten abstracts will be selected for presentation at the workshop.
New NHMRC public statement on blood lead levels released
NHMRC has released a public statement and information paper on recommended Blood Lead Levels, which include practical ways to help keep children safe from lead exposure.
The NHMRC 2009 public statement and in-depth information paper for practitioners and policy makers recommends:
- all Australians should have a blood lead level below 10 µg/dL (micrograms per decilitre – 100ml),
- children’s exposure to lead should be minimised, and
- women should minimise exposure to lead before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Podcast: Dealing with conflicts of interest
A pharmaceutical company offers to fund your biomedical research project, but may have a vested interest in your findings. What should you do? Refuse the offer on principle? Take the money? But then, how do you manage your situation?
At NHMRC’s recent Transparency and Conflict of Interest Workshop, Professor James Best, Chair of NHMRC’s previous Research Committee, felt the best policy was honesty, openness and peer review. He explains his views in this podcast .
July 2009
NHMRC Tracker 24th July 2009
Extended closing date for Centres of Research Excellence Scheme (CRE) - UPDATE
The closing date for receipt of applications online has been extended by 2 weeks. The new closing date is Friday 25 September 2009.
All applications are to be submitted online through NHMRC’s Research Grants Management System (RGMS). Applicants without an RGMS ‘login’ will need to complete the RGMS access form.
Further information on RGMS and the CRE Funding Policy available on the NHMRC website
NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships
Applications for NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships close on 31 July 2009. All referee reports must also be submitted by 31 July 2009.
Draft National Protocol for Donation after Cardiac Death released for public consultation - Submission period extended
NHMRC’s National Institute of Clinical Studies has developed a draft National Protocol for Donation after Cardiac Death on behalf of the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority. This draft protocol aims to provide a nationally consistent approach to support a process that respects the rights of the patient and considers ethical, legal and medical issues in the practice of donation after cardiac death.
The draft protocol was initially released for public consultation until 5pm AEST 24 July 2009. This period has now been extended until 5pm AEST 24 August 2009.
Further information can be found on the NHMRC website.
Release of Managed Aquifer Recharge; and Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Guidelines
The Environment Protection Heritage Council’s Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 2): Managed Aquifer Recharge and Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse have been approved by the NHMRC.
The Guidelines, available on the Environment Protection Heritage Council’s website, provide an authoritative reference that can be used to support beneficial and sustainable recycling of water.
Research priority on new look NHMRC website
The NHMRC website homepage has been updated with a new look and a new focus on the work of some of Australia’s most outstanding researchers. Easy to access information is available on grants news, research highlights and how Australian health and medical researchers are changing the world.
The page will be updated regularly with fresh information.
Vodcast: Professor Ian Frazer – Avoiding pitfalls in a medical research career
What are the pitfalls in pursuing a career in health and medical research? How can they be avoided?
A high school student posed these questions to former Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer, towards the end of a televised National Press Club address.
In this vodcast, Prof Frazer answers the questions with aplomb, providing some valuable personal insights into the world of a medical researcher.
NHMRC Tracker 10th July 2009
The Centres of Research Excellence Scheme for 2009 OPENS today
The Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) Scheme is designed to build capacity, support research that will lead to improved community health outcomes, and ensure effective translation of research outcomes primarily into practice.
CRE applications open 10 July and close 5pm (AEST) on 11 September 2009, for funding commencing in 2010.
Applicants should note that our new on-line system will be used.
All applications are to be submitted online through NHMRC’s Research Grants Management System (RGMS). Applicants without an RGMS login will need to complete the RGMS access form.
RGMS has an online profile and CV function which is used to auto-populate NHMRC application forms. Once potential applicants receive their login they can proceed with filling out their Profile and CV.
Further information on RGMS including an updated information sheet is available on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC Partnership Centres
NHMRC is undertaking further consultation to advise the design of the NHMRC Partnership Centres of Research Excellence initiative. The consultation papers are available on the NHMRC website.
Submissions close 14 August 2009.
H1N1 research projects fast-tracked
NHMRC has announced $7 million funding to 41 Australian medical research projects focusing on:
- Biology of the virus, including progress of mutations, likely increase in virulence, susceptibility to antivirals, and the risk of contamination with other influenza virus strains.
- Health care, including quarantining, effective population based use of antivirals, advice on public health measures, and the factors that put individuals at higher risk.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 – Cleopatra bathed in it, now it heals skin
When Cleopatra bathed in milk, could she have been onto something? Yes, it turns out milk has a lot to do with healing skin, particularly in burns patients.
Investigating the skin repair activity of a particular milk extract, Dr Timothy Rayner and his team from University of Adelaide discovered that it stimulated skin cells to produce collagen.
In this podcast, he explains that the protein molecule responsible also has the potential to increase the speed with which new tissue is formed.
June 2009
NHMRC Tracker 26th June 2009
Important Consultation: Health and Medical Research Strategy
As communicated in our special edition of Tracker on 19 June 2009, NHMRC has prepared a consultation paper setting out a draft National Strategy for Medical Research and Public Health Research, an essential component of the 2010-2012 Strategic Plan.
The draft consultation paper has been developed through NHMRC’s Research Committee and Council, has taken into account the recommendations of the three reviews of our research funding and peer review processes.
We invite your comment on the draft National Strategy and our responses to the three independent reviews:
- Independent Review of the NHMRC Research Funding Process (The Bernstein Review);
- An International Perspective on the NHMRC’s Research Strategies (The Zerhouni Review); and
- Report of the Review of Public Health Research Funding in Australia (The Nutbeam review)
NHMRC's ICT Services Transition
NHMRC will be transitioning to a new ICT Managed Service Provider, Logica Australia Pty Ltd on the weekend of 27-28 June 2009.
As a result, the computer and telephone network will be unavailable between 5.00pm on Friday 26 June and 8.00am on Monday 29 June.
Should you have any queries during this time, the following key contact numbers will be available:
- For urgent grant related matters contact the Research Help Centre on 1800 500 983; and
- For any urgent travel or committee related matters contact 0423 849 371.
Draft National Protocol for Donation after Cardiac Death released for public consultation
The NHMRC, through its National Institute of Clinical Studies, has developed a draft National Protocol for Donation after Cardiac Death on behalf of the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority. This draft protocol aims to provide a nationally consistent approach to support a process that respects the rights of the patient and considers ethical, legal and medical issues in the practice of Donation after Cardiac Death.
The draft protocol has been released for public consultation until 5pm AEST 24 July 2009.
Further information can be found on the NHMRC website.
HoMER pilots
The Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) Project recently sent an electronic survey to all NHMRC registered HRECs to gauge the level of involvement HREC’s currently have in multi-centre ethical review.
In the latter half of 2009, the HoMER Project will be supporting a series of Pilots using a single ethical review for health and medical multi-centre research. If your collaborative group would like to be involved in the pilots, please contact NHMRC’s Research Integrity Section for further information. We are particularly keen to work with groups whose research crosses jurisdictional borders.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 – ‘Flightless’ protein helps heal wounds
Under normal conditions, our skin has amazing powers of healing. But in extreme cases such as traumatic or burns injuries, we often end up with horrific scarring, disfigurement or even disability.
Associate Professor Allison Cowin and her team in Adelaide found that reducing the activity of a cytoskeletal protein called ‘flightless’ improved skin healing. She explains how and why in this podcast.
NHMRC Tracker special edition 19th June 2009
Important Consultation: Health and Medical Research Strategy
In preparing for its next Strategic Plan, (2010 – 2012), NHMRC has prepared a consultation paper setting out a draft National Strategy for Medical Research and Public Health Research, an essential component of the Strategic Plan.
The draft consultation paper has been developed through NHMRC’s Research Committee and Council, has taken into account the recommendations of the three reviews of our research funding and peer review processes (the Independent Review of the NHMRC Research Funding Process (The Bernstein Review); An International Perspective on the NHMRC’s Research Strategies (The Zerhouni Review) and Report of the Review of Public Health Research Funding in Australia (The Nutbeam review) all released today), and has been shaped by ideas and issues raised by the research and health sectors through our regular consultations.
We invite your comment on the draft National Strategy and our responses to the three independent reviews.
CEO June Newsletter
Professor Warwick Anderson’s June Research Newsletter is now available. This issue includes news on the 2009 funding rounds and the impact of the Federal Budget on NHMRC.
NHMRC Tracker June 12th 2009
Draft national strategy for Australian medical research and public health research – 2010-12
NHMRC will release a consultation paper setting out a draft national strategy for medical research and public health research next week. This strategy has taken into consideration the international reviews of NHMRC’s funding and peer review processes, and the review of public health research in Australia. These reviews and NHMRC’s response to them, will also be released next week.
Special call to ensure all applications receive expert peer review
Expert peer review of grant applications is essential in ensuring NHMRC supports only the highest quality and most competitive research. We understand that researchers have increasing demands of their time, however, all researchers in receipt of public funding through NHMRC have a responsibility to participate in peer review processes.
This is a special request for the research community to assist with Project Grants peer review over the next three weeks.
Researchers able to assist and not yet on our 2009 database are encouraged to submit the peer review participation form available on the NHMRC website.
Are you planning to apply for a Centres of Research Excellence Scheme this year?
NHMRC will pilot the new Research Grants Management System (RGMS) through the forthcoming Centres of Research Excellence Grants round, including:
- Centres for Clinical Research Excellence
- Centres for Public Health Research Excellence
- Centres for Health Services Research Excellence
Potential applicants for CRE Grants in 2009, who do not already have RGMS Login, will need to fill in a login request form detailing the names of all potential Chief Investigators.
RGMS has an online Profile and CV function which is used to auto-populate NHMRC application forms. Once potential applicants receive their ‘Login’ they can proceed with filling out their Profile and CV.
CRE applications will open formally on 10 July and close 6pm (AEST) on 11 September 2009.
RGMS is expected to be fully rolled out for all funding schemes in 2010. Further information about RGMS can be found on the NHMRC website.
Forthcoming public consultations: Partnership Centres for Research Excellence
NHMRC will undertake further consultations to assist in the design of the Partnership Centres for Research Excellence.
Interested stakeholders are advised that a discussion paper and consultation paper will be available via Tracker and our website on 26 June 2009. Submissions will be due 30 July 2009.
NHMRC announces six new leaders in health care
The NHMRC has awarded its 2009 NICS Fellowships to six promising Australian health care professionals who have been identified as future leaders in knowledge translation.
The 2009 Fellows will help improve the use of evidence in key health areas including cardiovascular disease, gynaecological cancer, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, bowel disease and smoking cessation.
Full details are available on the NICS website.
Revised Position Statement: Monitoring and Reporting of Safety for Clinical Trials Involving Therapeutic Products
NHMRC's Australian Health Ethics Committee has developed a revised Position Statement: Monitoring and Reporting of Safety for Clinical Trials Involving Therapeutic Products. This statement replaces the HREC Alert issued by NHMRC on 18 April 2007 and clarifies the requirements for safety monitoring, reporting and review of clinical trails. The revised Position Statement is available on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC Dietary Guidelines and associated publications – Tenders to revise this document
NHMRC has released Request for Tender 2009/19 seeking suitably qualified experts to begin revising the NHMRC’s Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults (2003), Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians (1999), Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia incorporating the Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers (2003), new dietary guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (1998) and a range of complementary consumer and summary documents.
Individuals/ organisations/ consortia interested in tendering must address the evaluation criteria in the format outlined in the Request for Tender document, available on the AusTender website.
Professor Chris O’Brien
It is with great sadness that the NHMRC learnt of the death of Professor Chris O’Brien, renowned surgeon and advocate for cancer services. Professor O’Brien had a reputation as a highly skilled doctor who will be remembered for his care and compassion for his patients, as well as his advocacy.
His legacy lives on in the new Lifehouse at RPA, an integrated cancer care research and education centre in Sydney.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 - Osteoarthritis research gets closer to the bone
For more than half a century, osteoarthritis research has focused solely on cartilage. But that hasn’t delivered much benefit to most of the 1.6 million Australians who suffer from the disease. Now there’s a new approach.
In this podcast, Professor Nick Fazzalari explains that the goal is to find a way of manipulating molecular-signal pathways in skeletal bone at early stages of osteoarthritis to stop the disease from progressing.
May 2009
NHMRC Tracker 29th May 2009
Forthcoming urgent call for research
Next week, NHMRC will call for research to learn more about the properties of the H1N1 influenza 2009 virus (human swine influenza) and the clinical and public health issues around infection, during the 2009 southern hemisphere flu season.
The proposed areas of research are:
- The biology of the virus; and
- Research to ensure good decision making around management of influenza and individual patient care.
Further information and applications for research funding will be available next week on the NHRMC website. Please note that there will be a short period where applications will be accepted.
Public consultation: single ethical review of multi-centre research
NHMRC is conducting a public consultation on a proposed national accreditation scheme supporting the single ethical review of multi-centre research. The accreditation scheme will impact both the HREC and its hosting institution and will provide assurance that multiple institutional ethical reviews of a multi-centre health and medical research proposal, including clinical trials, is no longer required. Submissions from all interested stakeholders are invited.
The paper and submission form is on the NHMRC website. Submissions close Friday 5 June 2009.
Animal Guidelines- CO2 in Euthanasia and Humane Killing in Rodents
There has been some uncertainty about the use of carbon dioxide as an agent for euthanasia and humane killing in animals, as published in the Dear AEC Newsletter February 2008. Reliable information presented at the ANZCCART conference in 2008 demonstrated that rats killed in chambers “slow filled” with carbon dioxide display a quiet passage to unconsciousness and death, quieter than rats killed with isoflurane.
The Animal Welfare Committee has been monitoring developments and supports carbon dioxide as an acceptable agent for euthanasia and killing in rodents when it is used competently and species-specific variations are taken into account. An earlier account of carbon dioxide for euthanasia and humane killing expresses uncertainty and has been superseded. This earlier account is given in the Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes: The assessment and alleviation of pain and distress in research animals, 2008.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 – Can cancers be prevented?
Why do some people get cancers and not others? Can some cancers be prevented as well as treated? If so, what mechanisms cause them and how can these be controlled?
Seeking to better understand those questions, and their answers, Professor Adele Green and her team investigated five different cancers that pose serious, often fatal, health threats to Australians.
In this podcast, she explains how the team found ways to better control and prevent those cancers.
NHMRC Tracker May 15th 2009
NHMRC and the 2009–10 budget
In the budget announced Tuesday 12 May, NHMRC received $703.065 million in 2009-10 to fund health and medical research. This is an increase of $85 million from the previous year and maintains the full suite of NHMRC funding schemes.
The Medical Research Endowment Fund and forward estimates until 2012-13 remain unchanged.
Project Grants
We have started to contact health and medical researchers for independent assessments of Project Grant applications.
The Project Grants Scheme is NHMRC's main means of support for individuals and small teams of researchers undertaking biomedical, public health and health services research in Australian universities, medical schools, hospitals and other research institutions.
NHMRC relies upon the assistance and cooperation of the Australian research community to ensure that all applications receive fair and expert review through our peer review process.
Consultation – NHMRC Research Fellowships Scheme
NHMRC is conducting a public consultation on its Research Fellowships scheme.
This highly successful scheme underwent major changes most recently around a decade ago. The NHMRC’s Research Committee has been considering whether any refinements or changes should now be made. Submissions from all interested stakeholders are invited.
The Consultation Paper and submission form will be available on the NHMRC website on 25 May, 2009.
Submissions will close on Monday 29 June.
Consultation – Products derived from human tissue
The Australian Health Ethics Committee, through an expert Working Committee, has developed a draft Issues Paper entitled Ethics and the exchange, sale of and profit from products derived from human tissue. NHMRC are seeking comments on the paper from interested organisations and individuals.
Consultation is open until 29 May. More information can be found on the NHMRC website.
Consultation - draft guideline on Prevention of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in patients admitted to Australian hospitals
NHMRC, through its National Institute of Clinical Studies has drafted a clinical practice guideline for Prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients admitted to Australian hospitals.
The aim of this government funded independent guideline is to inform and guide health care providers with evidence-based information about prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients.
You can submit your comments on the draft guideline until 5pm on Thursday 21 May 2009.
For further information visit the NHMRC website.
Reports on the NHMRC Review of the Road Map: A Strategic Framework for Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health through Research
Reports on outcomes from the workshops, written submissions and research data from 2000-2007 are now available from the Indigenous Health Portal on the NHMRC website.
Transparency and Conflict of Interest workshop, Canberra, 2 June 2009
In June 2009, NHMRC will begin a new series of interactive workshops aimed at stimulating discussion in the research sector and wider community on issues of national importance to health and medical research. The inaugural workshop will focus on Transparency and Conflict of Interest and will be held in Canberra on the 2nd June, 2009 between 10am - 3pm. The workshop will include speakers from pharmaceutical and biotech industries, clinical researchers and publishers.
Email NHMRC to register for this interactive workshop or visit the NHMRC website for more information.
HREC Report for the Period 1 July 2007 – 31 Dec 2007
A report from NHMRC on the activities of HRECs for the period 1 July 2007 – 31 Dec 2007 is now available on the NHMRC website.
Human Research Ethics Committees – 2008 Annual Report Form Reminder
All Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) registered with NHMRC must submit an annual report, using the form found on the NHMRC website. Reports must be submitted to NHMRC by 31 May 2009.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 – Chinese medicine may hold the key to treating diabetes
Researchers at the Garvan Institute in Sydney have teamed up with Shanghai’s scientific experts in Chinese medicines used for hundreds of years to treat diseases like type 2 diabetes.
In this podcast, Professor David James talks about his Garvan team’s trailblazing research and how it led to identifying unique Chinese plant-based compounds with the power to overcome insulin-action impairment.
NHMRC Tracker May 1st 2009
2010 NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships
NHMRC offers a number of Postgraduate Scholarships.
The key dates for the 2010 funding round for Postgraduate Scholarships are:
- Applications for Scholarships open on Monday 4 May 2009.
- Applications close on Friday 31 July 2009.
Further information on Postgraduate Scholarships is available on the NHMRC website.
Transparency and Conflict of Interest workshop, Canberra, 2 June 2009
In June 2009, NHMRC will launch a new series of interactive workshops aimed at stimulating discussion in the research sector and wider community on issues of national importance to health and medical research. The workshops will also provide NHMRC with the opportunity to explore opinion across the sector and assist in shaping the agency's advice as well as identifying emerging issues of concern.
The inaugural workshop will focus on Transparency and Conflict of Interest and will be held in Canberra on the 2nd June, 2009 between 10am - 3pm. The workshop will include speakers from pharmaceutical and biotech industries, clinical researchers and publishers.
Email NHMRC to register for this interactive workshop or visit the NHMRC website for more information.
Consultation - draft guideline on Prevention of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in patients admitted to Australian hospitals
NHMRC, through its National Institute of Clinical Studies has drafted a clinical practice guideline for Prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients admitted to Australian hospitals.
The aim of this government funded independent guideline is to inform and guide health care providers with evidence-based information about prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients.
You can submit your comments on the draft guideline until 5pm on Thursday 21 May 2009.
For further information visit the NHMRC website.
Consultation - proposed national accreditation scheme of institutional Human Research Ethics Committees
NHMRC is conducting a public consultation on a proposed national accreditation scheme for institutional Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC) undertaking the single ethical review of multi-centre research. The accreditation scheme will impact both the HREC and its hosting institution. It will provide a high level of assurance that multiple institutional ethical reviews of a multi-centre health and medical research proposal, including clinical trials, is no longer required. Submissions from all interested stakeholders are invited.
The paper and submission form is on the NHMRC website.
Submissions close Friday 5 June 2009.
Consultation – Products derived from human tissue
The Australian Health Ethics Committee, through an expert Working Committee, has developed a draft Issues Paper entitled Ethics and the exchange, sale of and profit from products derived from human tissue. NHMRC are seeking comments on the paper from interested organisations and individuals.
Consultation is open until 29 May. More information can be found on the NHMRC website.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 – Whose fault is obesity, mum’s or dad’s?
An Australian study reported widely here and overseas discovered that a father’s parenting influences a child’s likelihood of becoming obese, but a mother’s parenting doesn’t.
In this podcast, Professor Melissa Wake talks about how she and her team carried out their study and a few of the issues it raised.
April 2009
NHMRC Tracker April 20th 2009
New public health position at NHMRC
The NHMRC has created a new position for a Senior Principal Research Scientist to manage the NHMRC's public and environmental health programs.
The primary focus of the Senior Principal Research Scientist in public health will be to support NHMRC’s functions of providing relevant, evidence based advice to governments, researchers and the community on matters relating to public and environmental health. This will include the development of evidence based guidelines and other forms of advice. The position will work closely with the senior executive and with program areas supporting NHMRC’s research, clinical evidence, and health ethics programs.
For more information please visit the NHMRC website.
The Many Benefits of Health and Medical Research
This article, by Professor Warwick Anderson, was published in the CEO’s April Research Newsletter and can be viewed on the NHMRC Website.
Despite the spectacular progress in human health that has come from research, and which has been so crucial to the increase in the lifespan of most Australians over the past century, so much more needs to be done. This article provides an insight into:
- Adding value;
- Asking the hard questions;
- Knowledge transfer; and
- The future of health and medical research.
NHMRC Partnership Projects – Timeline
Partnership Projects is a component of the NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health initiative and was designed to meet the need for a more effective integration of evidence into health policy and service delivery. The first call for funding under this initiative closed in December 2008.
An updated time line for the assessment of applications received under this call is now available on the NHMRC website.
HoMER Newsletter
The Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) project aims to streamline and simplify ethical and scientific review processes for collaborative multi-centre health and medical human research across Australian jurisdictions. The third HoMER newsletter is now available on the NHMRC website.
Nutrition @ NHMRC
As part of the NHMRC’s work program to revise the Dietary Guidelines the NHMRC has launched an online survey. The aim of the survey is to collect information on current usage of the Dietary Guidelines and suggestions for the revised publications. The information will be considered during the development of the revised Dietary Guidelines and will be open until 30 September 2009.
The survey can be accessed on the NHMRC website.
Invitation to provide comments
The Australian Health Ethics Committee, through an expert Working Committee, have developed a draft Issues Paper entitled Ethics and the exchange, sale of and profit from products derived from human tissue. NHMRC are seeking comments on the paper from interested organisations and individuals.
Consultation is open from 18 April until 29 May. More information can be found on the NHMRC website.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008
Mysteries of male reproduction
Why, unlike other organ transplants, are those involving a man’s testes protected from rejection by the immune system? And what causes this mysterious, privileged relationship between testicular cells and the immune response?
In this podcast, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow Mark Hedger says the answers have important implications not just for male reproductive health but also for transplantation medicine in general.
NHMRC Tracker April 3rd 2009
Temporary contact details - NHMRC Canberra office relocation
On Friday 17 April 2009, the NHMRC will be relocating its Canberra office to new tenancy at 16 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City. As a result NHMRC’s Canberra Office will not be fully operational from 12.00pm Friday 17 April through to 8.00am Monday 20 April. Should you have any queries during this time, the following key contact numbers will be available:
- For urgent grant related matters contact Research Help Centre on 1800 500 983;
- For any travel or committee related matters contact 0423 849 371; and
- For other urgent queries, contact the after hours duty officer on 0434 565 351.
All other queries will be answered when business resumes on Monday 20 April 2009. All current NHMRC contact numbers will remain unchanged.
The NHMRC thanks you in advance for your cooperation during this time.
NHMRC Principal Committees for the next triennium
NHMRC has announced the functions of the Principal NHMRC Committees in the 2009-2012 triennium, including the new Prevention and Community Health Committee and Health Care Committee. Details are available on page 785 of the Commonwealth of Australia Government Gazette.
The 2009 - 2012 Committees are:
- NHMRC Research Committee
- NHMRC Australian Health Ethics Committee
- NHMRC Human Genetics Advisory Committee
- NHMRC Prevention and Community Health Committee
- NHMRC Health Care Committee
- NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee
NHMRC Program Grants – Call for Applications
NHMRC will open a call for applications for Program Grants on 4 April 2009, for Grants commencing in 2011.
Applications close 5.00pm AEST 1 July 2009. Further information is available from the NHMRC website from 4 April 2009.
Applications are open to new teams, or current Program Grant holders in their 4th or 5th year in 2009.
Any enquiries about this call for applications should be directed to NHMRC Program Grants.
Corrections on NHMRC Training Fellowships application form
Several corrections have been made to the NHMRC Training Fellowships application form and a new version of the application form is on the NHMRC website.
Applicants and Research Administration Officers should ensure that they are using version 1.0.2.1 of the application form. The version number can be found at the bottom left hand corner of each page of the form.
Data from a previous version of the form can be imported into the new version using the Export Data/ Import Data tabs at the top of the form.
NHMRC Training Fellowships applications close on Friday 1 May 2009.
International Collaborative Indigenous Health Research Partnership (ICIHRP) Grants
The ICIHRP is a joint initiative between NHMRC, the New Zealand Health Research Council (NZ HRC) and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and aims to support research in the area of Indigenous peoples’ health.
This new funding round focuses on reducing the burden of disease and inequalities in health arising from chronic disease in Indigenous people. It is a three-stage process: a Registration of Interest (RoI), Expression of Interest (EoI) and a Full Application stage (by invitation only).
RoIs must be submitted to the NZ HRC by 3pm, 11 April 2009 (AEST). The EoI must be submitted to the NZ HRC by 3pm, 11 May 2009 (AEST).
RoI and EoI Forms can be found on the NHMRC website. Questions in relation to this initiative should be directed to ICIHRP.
Invitation to Comment - Draft Research Road Map II
The NHMRC has evaluated the 2003 NHMRC Road Map: A Strategic Framework for Improving the Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People through Research with the report to be available on the NHMRC website shortly. Following this evaluation, the NHMRC is developing Road Map II and the draft will be placed on the NHMRC website and comments are invited.
Public consultation - Guidelines on the Use of Animals for Training Interventional Medical Practitioners and Demonstrating New Interventional Medical Equipment and Techniques
The Guidelines on the Use of Animals for Training Interventional Medical Practitioners and Demonstrating New Interventional Medical Equipment and Techniques have been released for public consultation. This document was formerly titled Guidelines on the use of animals for training surgeons and demonstrating new surgical equipment and techniques. The closing date for submissions is 5pm AEST on Friday 15 May 2009.
Copies of the draft guidelines are available from the NHMRC website or may be obtained from the Health and Research Ethics Section by telephone on (02) 6217 9070 or e-mail to NHMRC ethics.
International Collaboration Targets Australia’s Deadliest & Hidden Cancers
Australia’s deadliest common cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer, the hidden cancer, are to be the focus of the country’s contribution to the biggest ever international research effort to unlock the genetic secrets of cancer.
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, announced on 26 March that NHMRC will provide $27.5 Million over 5 years to fund research into pancreatic and ovarian cancer. This is NHMRC’s single biggest grant ever, as its contribution to the International Cancer Genomics Consortium (ICGC). The consortium spans 24 countries, and is expected to deliver significant benefits in detecting, preventing and treating cancer.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 - Finding better ways to treat traumatic injury
Could outcomes be improved if we changed the way we manage traumatic injury patients? Do some patients recover better than others after major trauma? Why?
Dr Belinda Gabbe believes the first step to finding answers is to measure patient outcomes. In this podcast, she explains how her team tackled this priority public health issue.
March 2009
NHMRC Tracker March 20th 2009
NHMRC Career Development Awards
Applications for NHMRC Career Development Awards close on 31 March 2009. It is important to ensure that all referee reports are submitted with applications before the closing date.
2009 Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research
Changes have been made to the Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award from 2009.
- The $50,000 cash prize will now be awarded as a research grant; and
- The process of selecting the award recipient will be linked to the previous year’s peer review for NHMRC Career Development Awards.
A call for nomination will not be required under this new process.
Further information on the Minister’s Award can be found on the NHMRC website or by emailing Ministers.Research.Award@nhmrc.gov.au
Guidelines for the assessment of absolute cardiovascular disease risk
Recently, the NHMRC approved the evidence-based Guidelines to assess absolute cardiovascular disease risk, developed by the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance (NVDPA).
The guidelines are aimed at general practitioners, Indigenous health workers and other primary health care professionals to assist them in assessing the absolute risk of cardiovascular disease in adults without known cardiovascular disease.
The guidelines can be viewed on the NHMRC website.
Any inquiries should be directed to Dr Erin Lalor, Chair of the NVDPA.
Podcast - Professor Nadia Rosenthal: Improving the health of our ageing population.
What can starfish and planarium do well that humans simply fail at? The answer lies in their capacity to regenerate their bodies. Starfish can grow back arms in a matter of weeks—and a planarium is so full of stem cells that one becomes more if cut into pieces. So if they can do it, why can’t we?
Professor Nadia Rosenthal, from Monash University, Melbourne, is a regenerative medicine specialist who has held distinguished positions at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Imperial College in London and Harvard University.
In this presentation she discusses how she will use her Australia Fellowship to discover ways to enhance our regenerative capacity in ageing and disease. This research has the potential to improve the health of our ageing population.
NHMRC Tracker March 6th 2009
Important Date
The closing date for Project Grant Applications is Tuesday 17 March 2009.
Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowships for funding commencing in 2010
The Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowships funding scheme provides opportunities for Australian researchers to undertake training in basic research either in Australia or overseas and enables Fellows to work on research projects with nominated advisers.
pplications for Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowships to commence in 2010 are now open. Applications close Friday 1 May 2009. Further information can be found on the NHMRC website.
International Collaborative Indigenous Health Research Partnership (ICIHRP) Grants – Request for Applications
The International Collaborative Indigenous Health Research Partnership (ICIHRP) Grants is a joint initiative of between NHMRC, the New Zealand Health Research Council and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. ICIHRP aims to support research in the area of Indigenous peoples’ health.
This new funding round is focussed on reducing the burden of disease and inequalities in health arising from chronic disease in Indigenous people.
The request for applications opened on 11 February 2009. Expressions of Interest will close on 11 May 2009. More details can be found on the NHMRC website.
New Research Grants Management System (RGMS): Implementation Commenced
NHMRC has commenced implementation of a new Research Grants Management System to assist researchers and RAOs by supporting the full grants management process from application through to grant acquittal. RGMS features a significant on-line component allowing:
- Researchers to maintain their profile and CV (which will automatically upload into applications).
- Applicants, review panel members and external assessors to submit information directly into the system.
- Grant holders and RAOs to manage grants (ethics approvals, progress and financial reports, transfers, variation requests, acquittal and final reporting).
The new RGMS is planned to be fully operational by December 2009 following a staged implementation. Development Grants, which will open in April 2009, will be piloted in the RGMS.
Further information can be found at the RGMS webpage.
Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol
The Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health risks from Drinking Alcohol (the Alcohol Guidelines) were issued by Professor Warwick Anderson, CEO of NHMRC, on Wednesday 25 February 2009. The alcohol guidelines were released at a media conference on Friday 6 March 2009 in Melbourne. An online stakeholder briefing was also held on the same day.
The Alcohol Guidelines are available on the NHMRC website, with hard copies are available from nmm@nationalmailing.com.au.
Podcast: NHMRC’s new alcohol guidelines – what do they really mean?
The new Australian guidelines aren’t telling people what they can or can’t do. They aim to help Australians make their own informed choices about alcohol and how much risk they want to take with their health. Professor Jon Currie, Chair of NHMRC’s Expert Working Committee on Alcohol Guidelines, talks about it in this podcast.
Public consultation - Guidelines on the Care of Cats and Dogs Used for Scientific Purposes
The Guidelines on the Care of Cats Used for Scientific Purposes and the Guidelines on the Care of Dogs Used for Scientific Purposes have been released for public consultation. The closing date for submissions is 5pm AEST on Friday 20 March 2009. Copies of the draft guidelines are available from the NHMRC website or may be obtained from the Health and Research Ethics Section by telephone on (02) 6217 9070 or e-mail Health & Research Ethics.
February 2009
NHMRC Tracker February 20th 2009
Acknowledging our peer review members
From 2008, NHMRC will acknowledge the participation of the many hundreds of members of our peer review panels, on our website. A consolidated list of review panel members, their institution and the grant review panel on which they served and a summary table by state/territory, overseas support and gender can be found on the NHMRC website. We sincerely thank all these researchers. Some have helped over more than a decade, others served for the first time last year.
Program Grants 2009 Call for Applications – Early Notice of Application Dates
The NHMRC is planning to open its 2009 call for Program Grants applications for funding commencing in 2011 on Saturday 4 April 2009 and to close it COB on Wednesday 1 July 2009.
Confirmation of the call’s opening and closing will be notified in a Tracker announcement just prior to the opening, and also on the NHMRC’s website.
Information on NHMRC Program Grants can be found on the NHMRC website.
Podcast: 10 of the best research projects 2008 – We know fluoride saves teeth, but is it cost effective?
How much does the community save by putting in a fluoridation program? The answer, according to this research, is that the amount saved in dental treatment costs is far greater than the cost of implementing the program. Professor Mike Morgan, Colgate Chair of Population Oral Health at the Melbourne Dental School, explains in this podcast.
NHMRC Tracker February 6th 2009
Project Grants are closing very soon
A reminder to those planning to submit Project Grant applications for the 2009 round, applications close on 17 March 2009.
In a message from the CEO, Professor Anderson has outlined the Peer Review process for NHMRC Project Grant applications. This message is available on the NHMRC website.
Fifteen new Program Grants awarded
Fifteen of Australia’s leading health and medical research teams have won a share of more than $108 million in the NHMRC’s highly prized 2010 Program Grants.
The Project Grants included research on:
- Understanding and controlling influenza
- Prevention and treatment of chronic heart and kidney disease
- Treatment and prevention of bacterial infectious diseases
- Post-traumatic mental health
- Immunological therapies for cancer
2009 International Human Frontier Science Program-Research Grants open
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) supports international and interdisciplinary collaborations in basic research, focusing on complex mechanisms of living organisms.
Guidelines and Application instructions are now available. Pre-registration for Research Grants must be completed by 20 March 2009. Letters of Intent must be submitted by 31 March 2009.
Guidelines Levels and Grades of Evidence Pilot
The closing date for receipt of comments on the pilot scheme for the NHMRC additional levels of evidence and grades for recommendations for the development of guidelines (Levels and Grades) has been brought forward to 27 February 2009. Any outstanding comments should be directed to the NHMRC National Health Committee with “Attn: Project Officer, Levels and Grades” in the subject line as soon as possible. The NHMRC expects to issue updated advice mid 2009.
Guidelines for Monoclonal Antibody Production
NHMRC has revised the Guidelines for Monoclonal Antibody Production. The document provides guidance on the use of animals in the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Under the current guidelines it is no longer considered acceptable to use the ascites fluid method of MAb production, except under extremely rare circumstances.
The guidelines can be viewed on the NHMRC website.
Podcast – Breakthrough discovery: naturally-occurring stem cells in women
In the first of our new 10 of the best research projects 2008 podcast series, Dr Caroline Gargett tells of the breakthrough discovery about the stem cells behind the monthly regeneration of a woman’s uterine lining, or endometrium. These stem cells are now pointing the way to better treatments for both pelvic organ prolapse and endometriosis. Listen to this podcast here.
January 2009
NHMRC Tracker January 23rd 2009
Registration for NHMRC peer review assessors continues
In mid-November 2008, the NHMRC invited researchers to register as potential NHMRC assessors and to indicate their willingness to be considered for membership of one of our peer review panels in 2009.
To date more than 2,000 researchers have registered from Australia and around the world. This is an excellent result and we thank all of you who have volunteered your assistance with this most crucial part of providing support for health and medical research. Our register remains open and we encourage all researchers to consider registering as potential reviewers. Maintaining a larger pool of reviewers helps NHMRC improve the quality of peer review.
To register, please complete and submit the Peer Review Participation Form
CEO Newsletter
The December issue of the newsletter from Professor Warwick Anderson contains information on the outcomes of 2008 funding rounds and information on 2009 Grant applicants. A copy of the newsletter can be found here.
NHMRC Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
The NHMRC thanks stakeholders for participating in the review of the NHMRC Road Map: A Strategic Framework for Improving the Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through Research (the Road Map).
In response to the review findings, the NHMRC is currently developing an Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health with plans to incorporate activities from the Action Plan in the NHMRC Strategic Plan for 2009-2012.
Consultation on the Action Plan is expected to commence in April 2009.
Project Grants funding commencing in 2010
Applicants and RAOs are reminded that:
These can be found on the NHMRC website.
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The following bodies are inviting applications through the NHMRC Project Grant funding scheme:
- Cancer Council
- Heart Foundation
- HeartKids Australia
- Cancer Australia – Priority Driven Collaborative Cancer Research Grants
Please visit the NHMRC website for more information.
- Each year the NHMRC designates a small number of health areas in which it encourages applications. These areas are either NHMRC priority areas, strategic plan initiatives (NHMRC Strategic Plan 2007‑2009) or areas in which NHMRC has received specific additional funds.
Pre-Advertisement for International Collaborative Indigenous Health Research Partnership (ICIHRP) Grants – Request for Applications
The International Collaborative Indigenous Health Research Partnership (ICIHRP) Grants is a joint initiative of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the New Zealand Health Research Council and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and aims to support research in the area of Indigenous peoples’ health.
This new funding round is focussed on reducing the burden of disease and inequalities in health arising from chronic disease in Indigenous people.
Request for applications will open on 11 February 2009, and Expressions of Interest will close on 11 May 2009. More details can be found on the NHMRC website.
HoMER Consultation paper
The Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) Enabling System Consultation paper was released in December 2008. Stakeholders wishing to make comment on the proposed national approach for streamlined ethical review of multi-centre health and medical research should note the closing date for submissions is 20 February 2009.
The paper and instructions on making a submission may be found on the NHMRC website. Further information is available on (02) 6217 9213.
New Diabetes Research Innovation Award
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Macquarie Group Foundation (MGF) are calling for nominations for the Diabetes Research Innovation Award Program. Awards will be provided in two categories: Early Career Researcher and a separate Established Researcher Award.
Applications close on 14th of February, 2009.