NHMRC will provide $72 million for Centres of Research Excellence that will lead to better health outcomes in Australia and our region.
Funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) grant scheme, 24 research leaders and their teams will be supported to undertake research and promote and improve translation of research outcomes into health policy and practice.
The CRE scheme supports researchers in capacity building activities including in specific areas of need identified by NHMRC. In 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade partnered with NHMRC to co-fund CRE grants in One Health research, supporting collaboration and transdisciplinary action between human health, animal health, and ecosystems to address challenges that affect the Pacific and/or Southeast Asia.
Professor Joshua Francis from the Menzies School of Health Research will lead Research Excellence and Surveillance to Promote One health Solutions for Timor-Leste And the region (RESPOSTA).
RESPOSTA will strengthen One Health research partnerships across Timor-Leste, Australia and Indonesia by responding to challenges that are regional priorities.
University of Melbourne researcher, Professor Glenn Browning, will work with village communities in low and middle income countries to develop approaches to controlling diseases in animals that have an impact on human health and welfare, the environment, and food safety and security.
This work will determine the effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics for preventing resistance to antibiotics and the spread of diseases from domestic animals into humans.
Full details of the researchers and projects funded are available to download on NHMRC’s outcomes of funding rounds page.
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh:
“At its core, NHMRC’s CRE scheme promotes the effective translation of research into knowledge, policy and practice, effectively building workforce capability within the sector.
“In particular, these One Health projects will take an integrated approach to tackling health issues that impact not only human health but also animals and the environment, which we know are intrinsically linked.
“This investment is a commitment to the health of all Australians and into the future of our national health system – congratulations to all successful chief investigators and their teams receiving funding today.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:
“A strong, healthy region benefits us all – these new research partnerships will help to strengthen expertise across our region to better prevent and control infectious diseases.
“It is essential that our region can stop the spread of future pandemics. One Health partnerships recognise that the health of people, animals and the environment are interconnected.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development, the Hon Dr Anne Aly:
“Understanding the deep interconnected nature of animals, humans and ecosystems enhances our ability to stop the spread of future pandemics.
“We are working in partnership to strengthen expertise across our region to better prevent and control infectious diseases.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Joshua Francis:
- “Timor-Leste and Nusa Tenggara Timur face significant, shared challenges that affect human health, animal health and the environment. Infections cross borders readily, and collaborative approaches to health problems are needed.
- “The RESPOSTA Centre for Research Excellence builds on the concept of akompana (side by side mentoring and accompaniment) that underpins the work of Menzies in Timor-Leste.
- “It will focus on promoting local leadership and mentoring local researchers through research projects addressing important One Health issues, including rabies, brucellosis, avian influenza and other zoonotic infections, antibiotic resistance, and novel approaches to improving food production and food safety.”
Quotes attributable to the National Director of Veterinary at the Timor-Leste Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF), Dr Joanita Jong:
- “Animal health is an important priority for Timor-Leste, and it impacts on human health and the environment in a way that makes One Health approaches essential. The RESPOSTA Centre for Research Excellence will strengthen One Health collaborations in Timor-Leste, and cross-border collaborations with our colleagues in West Timor.
- "It is important for research in Timor-Leste to be based on local priorities, and that it supports local leadership and community engagement in finding sustainable, locally relevant solutions.
- "We are looking forward to opportunities to partner in One Health research, and to provide higher degree research and other training opportunities for Timorese.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Glenn Browning:
- “Our Centre will work with village communities in low and middle income countries to develop approaches to controlling diseases in animals that have an impact on human health and welfare, on the environment, and on food safety and security.
- “It will determine how effective measures that consider the interactions between humans and their domestic animals are in preventing resistance to antibiotics by reducing their unnecessary use and in the spread of diseases from domestic animals into humans."