The Commonwealth Government will provide $5 million in funding through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to investigate the use and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicines.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics show that Australians spend around
$1 billion annually on complementary and alternative medicines including vitamin supplements, homeopathic medicines and traditional Asian and indigenous medicines.
This new funding is in addition to the Commonwealth Government’s recent $529 million investment in NHMRC grants for health and medical research.
The NHMRC will call upon researchers to apply for the funds. The application process will be advertised in the national press soon. Applications will be due in February 2007 with successful researchers being notified mid next year.
| Media contacts: | Kristy McSweeney | Tony Abbott’s Office | 0415 740 722 |
A formal call for applications by the NHMRC will commence on 16 December 2006, with applications due by 30 March 2007. All information and application forms will be available on the NHMRC website on 16 December 2006.
For further information on the call for grant applications please contact Damir Ivkovic, NHMRC, 02 6217 9447