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Latest news and stories
Australia’s national health council delivers assessment on electronic cigarettes
National advice on the use of electronic cigarettes based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence has been delivered by Australia’s health and medical research agency, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Tracker - 20 June 2022
Welcome to Tracker, National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter, with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Lipid droplets and our defensive arsenal - killing the bacteria to prevent infection
Lipid droplets are exploited by pathogens that invade cells and then use the cellular lipid droplets as a source of fats. Professor Rob Parton and his team received a Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) grant to explore the possibility that lipid droplets might also be a crucial form of defence against pathogens. International collaborative networks have allowed access to techniques and expertise. They have also facilitated mentoring and collaboration for students and early career researchers.
Forging a farsighted agenda with a novel global way of thinking about science
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) was established in 1990 to promote international collaboration in basic research focused on the elucidation of the sophisticated and complex mechanisms of living organisms. Since then, 1180 research grants have been awarded to more than 7500 researchers representing 71 nationalities, including Australia.
HFSP Secretary-General Professor Pavel Kabat introduces the program and three prominent researchers tell us how their HFSP grants advanced their research.
Towards cyborg biology - electrochemical biosensors of everything
There is a long running interest in the idea of machine-organism hybrids, although the integration of electronic and biological systems remains underdeveloped. Professor Kirill Alexandrov and his collaborators received Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) funding to explore the 'undoable'. Multidisciplinary teams are a must and spur new creative projects.
A paradigm shift in kidney research
Surprisingly, understanding of organ assembly is extremely limited. Professor Melissa Little and team received an Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) grant and established the most comprehensive quantitative image-based analysis of any organ ever described. The challenges of bringing together researchers from different fields is one of vocabulary, but the benefit is considerable.
Tracker - 6 June 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Making a decision to do the hard research, that’s what discovery is about
Deciding to commit to a research life is brave – so is committing to do the hard research. Professor Cath Chamberlain says with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, in particular, "we are going to need to take some more risks to do things differently".
Research excellence: Build grit and set out a plan
Doctor Simon Graham is an epidemiologist in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne. He received the 2021 Sandra Eades Investigator Grant Award (Emerging Leadership) for his research which aims to increase opportunistic sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing to identify asymptomatic infections early so treatment is provided to prevent poor health outcomes.
Tracker - 24 May 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
$75 million funding supports Australian clinical trials and cohort studies
More than $75.3 million to support 33 clinical trials and cohort studies through the National Health and Medical Research Council has been announced, close to a quarter funding studies to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"I leave not only a more confident worker but also a more confident person."
Emily McDonald’s journey to becoming an intern at NHMRC has not been exactly straightforward.
To solve the healthcare gaps, we need Indigenous problem solvers
Sara Lai found her first Indigenous intern experience with NHMRC in 2017-18 so rewarding that she applied again for the 2021-22 program.
Internship brings entirely new set of skills
Sharna Motlap has always been interested in creating and implementing evidence-based programs specifically tailored to Indigenous communities.
Research Excellence: Answering one of the most important questions in gastrointestinal oncology
Professor Trevor Leong is a Consultant Radiation Oncologist and past Director of Radiation Oncology at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and University of Melbourne. He received the David Cooper Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Award for his work leading a randomised phase II/III trial of preoperative chemoradiotherapy versus preoperative chemotherapy for resectable gastric cancer.
Tracker - 9 May 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Research Excellence: Advancing precision nutrition to improve health and wellbeing
Laureate Professor Clare Collins is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and nutrition researcher specialising in eHealth at the University of Newcastle (UON). She received the 2021 Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award - Clinical Medicine and Science (Leadership) for her work on nutrition technologies and methods to support personalised medical nutrition therapy, including dietary biomarkers and telehealth models of care.
Tracker - 26 April 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Research excellence: Sharing data and ideas for the largest impact for patients with ovarian cancer
Professor Susan Ramus is Professor of Molecular Oncology in the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of New South Wales. She received the 2021 Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grants Award - Basic Science (Leadership) for her work improving the prognosis of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Research Excellence: Transforming the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent obesity
Professor Louise Baur holds the Chair of Child & Adolescent Health at the University of Sydney and is a consultant paediatrician at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. She received the 2021 NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Award – Public Health (Leadership) for her work leading an interdisciplinary program of research in preventing obesity in childhood and providing safe, effective treatments to children and adolescents living with obesity.
Tracker - 11 April 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Regional research collaborations fighting dengue fever
The spread of Japanese encephalitis virus in south eastern Australia is a reminder that mosquito-borne viruses pose an ongoing threat to lives and livelihoods, particularly in our region. That includes dengue fever spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Australian researchers are collaborating closely with colleagues on two fronts – to eradicate the virus and find biomarkers that will lead to better diagnosis and treatment.
A passion project to make the heart sing: Urban planning for healthier lives
Professor Billie Giles-Corti was a “lone wolf”, she says, when she started her research career. In 2022, the time has come for public discourse about the direct links between city planning and health. She is part of a global network making the connections between liveability and health outcomes.
HEAL national research network addressing the health effects of environmental change
The Healthy Environments and Lives National Research Network (HEAL) was announced at the end of 2021 with a grant of $10 million over five years, as an NHMRC Special Initiative to provide national and international leadership in environmental change and health research. HEAL formally starts in May 2022; a lot of groundwork has been done to create the foundations for a large and diverse collaboration to deliver its ambitious work plan over the next five years and beyond.
Research Excellence: Developing biological mosquito control tools to prevent vector-borne disease
Associate Professor Nigel Beebe works in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland with a joint appointment at CSIRO. He received the Marshall and Warren Ideas Grant Award (Innovation) for his work on the role of mosquitos in vector-borne disease, answering fundamental questions about which species transmit pathogens, where they exist and why – and developing a species-specific biocontrol for Australia and beyond.
NHMRC Research Excellence Award named to honour Australian immunologist Professor David Cooper
At the 2021 NHMRC Research Excellence Awards presentation in Canberra on 30 March 2022, NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso AO introduced the newly named NHMRC David Cooper Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Award, honouring Australian HIV/AIDS clinical researcher and immunologist Professor David Cooper AC. Professor Kelso spoke about the significance of Professor Cooper’s legacy and his humanity in placing patients at the centre of his clinical research.
NHMRC annual awards celebrate excellence in Australian health and medical research
National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) annual awards recognising excellence in health and medical research were announced this evening in Canberra at a ceremony attended by NHMRC's Council Chair Professor Caroline Homer AO and members of NHMRC's Council, including leading Australian researchers and chief health officers from across the nation.
Budget 2022-23
Support for excellent health and medical research in Australia continues in the 2022-23 Budget handed down on 29 March 2022.
Tracker - 28 March 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Tracker - 16 March 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
NHMRC Statement: Minister’s role in approving National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants
In public hearings on 9 March 2022 of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018, a number of questions have been raised about the role and powers of the Minister for Health with respect to grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Tracker - 28 February 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
$21.9 million funds research partnerships that meet real-world health needs
NHMRC welcomes today’s announcement by the Australian Government of more than $5.6 million to fund the latest round of Partnership Projects.
Tracker - 15 February 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Tracker - CEO Communique
Gender disparities in NHMRC’s Investigator Grant Scheme
Gender disparities in NHMRC’s Investigator Grant Scheme
CEO Communique – February 2022
Tracker - 31 January 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Speech is a uniquely human skill many take for granted
Professor Angela Morgan is head of speech and language at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Professor of Speech Pathology at the University of Melbourne and was the recipient of the 2020 NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award (Leadership in Clinical Medicine and Science).
Tracker - 17 January 2022
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
Tracker - Changes to publication assessment
NHMRC has made changes to publication assessment in its track record-based schemes.
Changes to Publication Assessment
From 2022, researchers applying for National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) funding through its track record based schemes will be asked to list up to 10 of their top publications in the past 10 years (accounting for career disruptions).
$2.8 million for human health research collaborations in East Asia
NHMRC welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, of more than $2.8 million to support international collaborations in health and medical research through NHMRC’s participation in the e-ASIA Joint Research Program.
65 new NHMRC postgraduate scholars
Sixty-five outstanding health and medical graduates will be supported to begin their research careers through National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Postgraduate Scholarships.
$2.5 million for international research collaborations in human health
NHMRC welcomes the announcement of more than $2.5 million to support international collaborations in health and medical research.
$15 million investment in health and medical research to drive commercial outcomes
NHMRC welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, of more than $15 million in 19 innovative research projects that will drive commercial outcomes to deliver better health care.
NHMRC statement on iBlastoids
Nature paper: Modelling human blastocysts by reprogramming fibroblasts into iBlastoids
Tracker - 17 December 2021
RGMS shutdown and extended Sapphire outage in January 2022
New Principal Committees to advise NHMRC Council
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister for Health Greg Hunt of the membership of the Principal Committees of NHMRC for 2021–2024.
Tracker - 14 December 2021
Welcome to Tracker, NHMRC’s fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.
To improve child health, focus on conception
Professor Sarah Robertson from The University of Adelaide is recipient of an NHMRC Investigator Award and was awarded the Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award (Leadership in Basic Science) at the 2020 NHMRC Research Excellence Awards.