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Tracker - 15 September 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• Tracker
• Yesterday

We stand on the shoulders of giants

Yvette Roe is a proud Njikena Jawuru woman from the West Kimberley and Professor of Indigenous Health at Charles Darwin University. Yvette is also Director of the Molly Wardaguga Research Institute for First Nations Birth Rights. With a career spanning over 35 years in Indigenous health, Yvette has dedicated her life’s work to amplifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in efforts to achieve their aspirations. Here is where she has seen the impact that research can have, driving her motivation to make more change for the generations moving forward.

• InFocus
• Friday

Speaking of Science: Achieving better outcomes in women's sexual and reproductive health: The SPHERE CRE journey

Initiated by a NHMRC Project Grant in 2014, Professor Danielle Mazza’s (Monash University) journey towards creating the SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) has gone from strength to strength in the years following. SPHERE’s mission, focused on fundamental reproductive rights, aims to drive better sexual and reproductive health outcomes for Australian women through primary care.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 10 September 2025

Tracker - 1 September 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• Tracker
• 1 September 2025

Recognising excellence in the global control of meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea

Professor Helen Marshall AM is the Professor of Vaccinology and an NHMRC Leadership Fellow at The University of Adelaide, and the Clinical Research Director at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network in South Australia. Professor Marshall’s research area focuses on preventing life threatening infections in children and young people through improving immunisation effectiveness, safety and impact. Her main focus throughout her extensive research career has been the prevention of meningococcal disease, leading national clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of a meningococcal B vaccine.

• InFocus
• 1 September 2025

Speaking of Science: The Artificial Heart Frontiers Program: engineering the next generation of artificial hearts with Professor Shaun Gregory

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are deeply interconnected fields that often work together to solve real world problems and drive innovation. Integration of these different fields is crucial for addressing global health challenges and has also led to Professor Shaun Gregory’s success.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 21 August 2025

Have your say: Research can't happen without consumers and communities

'Research can't happen without consumers and communities. Having them involved in research gives valuable insight for research institutions, leading to better health outcomes – because research is about people.'

• News
• Video
• 5 August 2025

Tracker - 4 August 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• Tracker
• 4 August 2025

Making room around the table: bringing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander leadership to research

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a day all Australians are urged to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and learn about the impact that culture, family and community plays in the life of every child.

• InFocus
• 4 August 2025

$3 million for international collaborations in Indigenous health research

NHMRC is investing $3 million for international collaborations undertaking research that globally advances the field of neurodegeneration among Indigenous populations.

• Media release
• News
• 27 July 2025

Recognising high quality health and medical research

The Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program at The George Institute for Global Health drives meaningful, ethical research and advocacy to transform the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and communities. Recipient of the 2025 NHMRC Research Quality Biennial Award, Guunu-maana is committed to research quality, being led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing to generate evidence that privileges Indigenous knowledges and research quality within the field.

• InFocus
• News
• 13 July 2025

Culture intrinsic to health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Cultural factors critical to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have been assessed in the largest cohort study ever, conducted by Professor Raymond Lovett, yielding a new resource for health practitioners, policymakers and Indigenous communities.

• Ten of the Best
• 16th Edition
• 8 July 2025

Tracker - 7 July 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• Tracker
• 7 July 2025

Tracker - 10 June 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• News
• Tracker
• 10 June 2025

Speaking of Science: Cultural safety and fostering connections to social and emotional wellbeing with Associate Professor Yvonne Clark

'We work a lot with families, babies, pregnancy and young people, and our goal is to see them flourish or to do research that can move them towards that trajectory of flourishing and not just always surviving.'

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 5 June 2025

Recognising outstanding contributions to Australian health and medical research

Professor Emily Banks AM, recipient of the 2025 NHMRC Outstanding Contribution Award, is a public health physician and epidemiologist working towards improving health and healthcare, at an individual and population level. With interests spanning chronic disease, tobacco control, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and healthy ageing, Professor Banks’s extensive research into population health is changing public behaviours, guiding healthcare professionals and having a significant impact in the community.

• InFocus
• 31 May 2025

Tracker - 26 May 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• News
• Tracker
• 26 May 2025

Recognising excellence in developing a world-first Indigenous wellbeing index

Ngiyampaa/Wongaibon social epidemiologist and recipient of the 2023 NHMRC David Cooper Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Award, Professor Raymond Lovett has focused his career on improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. As an Associate Director of Yardhura Walani (Australian National University) and Director of Mayi Kuwayu: The national study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing, Professor Lovett’s research has influenced policy at state and national levels, as well as empowered communities at the local level. He is now aiming to take this to the global stage through the development of a world-first Indigenous wellbeing index.

• InFocus
• News
• 20 May 2025

Tracker - 12 May 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• News
• Tracker
• 12 May 2025

Speaking of Science: Interrogating the physiology of the human vagus nerve with Professor Vaughan Macefield

A new era of research that promises to uncover novel information on the physiology of the human vagus nerve is unfolding right before our eyes.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 17 April 2025

Tracker - 14 April 2025

Welcome to Tracker, the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) fortnightly newsletter with the latest information on major activities and funding opportunities.

• News
• Tracker
• 14 April 2025

A night of celebrating health and medical research excellence

A gathering of our nation’s foremost health and medical researchers has taken place this evening, celebrating their excellence, leadership and extraordinary contributions to the sector in our annual Research Excellence Awards dinner. This year, the ceremony included the celebration of our Biennial Awards and the talent making impact in an area of importance to NHMRC.

• Media release
• News
• 26 March 2025

A celebration of the best health and medical research discoveries

When it comes to health and medical research in Australia, our scientists are pioneering key advances to better understand health conditions and answer fundamental questions. This evening, we had the pleasure of launching the highly anticipated 16th edition of our flagship publication, 10 of the Best.

• Media release
• News
• Ten of the Best
• 16th Edition
• 26 March 2025

$15 million investment to support collaborations in health services research

The Australian Government is investing $15 million to improve health outcomes by supporting health service focussed research projects that foster collaboration between health services and research organisations across both metropolitan and regional, rural and remote areas.

• Media release
• News
• 26 February 2025

$422 million into research for the future of Australia’s healthcare system

Announced today by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, are 229 high-performing researchers who will share in an investment of over $422 million under the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Investigator Grants scheme.

• Media release
• News
• 24 February 2025

$8.9 million investment into research partnerships to shape our future

NHMRC is committed to supporting new partnership opportunities for researchers and policy makers to work together to shape our future through an $8.9 million funding investment. 

• Media release
• News
• 21 February 2025

Speaking of Science: Discovering a breakthrough in the fight against cancer with Professor Andrew Wilks

World Cancer Day, observed annually on 4 February, raises awareness about cancer, encourages its prevention, and mobilises action to address the global cancer epidemic.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 20 February 2025

NHMRC Principal Committees and NHMRC-MRFF Committees announced

NHMRC Principal Committees and NHMRC-MRFF Committees announced

• News
• Tracker
• 14 February 2025

$11 million to build and grow on Australian research in climate change and health

The Australian Government is investing almost $11 million to build Australian research capacity in climate change and related health impacts under the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) 2024 Targeted Call for Research (TCR) into climate-related health impacts and effective interventions to improve health outcomes.

• Media release
• News
• 29 January 2025

New NHMRC Council to work closely with Australian Medical Research Advisory Board

The Australian Government has announced the membership of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Council for the 2024–2027 triennium.

• Media release
• News
• 3 December 2024

Centering Indigenous research excellence now and into the future

NHMRC is committed to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through funding research of the highest quality, integrity and excellence. We also encourage applications across our grant funding program that address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

• InFocus
• News
• 6 November 2024

Speaking of Science: Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Professor Belinda Parker

Did you know that breast cancer is the second most common cancer to cause death in women? In Australia, 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 6 November 2024

Speaking of Science: SOLVEing Coronary Heart Disease with Professor Julie Redfern

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s number one killer.

On a national scale, coronary heart disease is the leading single cause of disease burden in Australia and causes 11% of all deaths, sparking a real need to make transformative improvements in cardiovascular health management for all Australians.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 3 October 2024

$50 million for transformative multidisciplinary health and medical research

Ten outstanding and versatile research teams have collectively been awarded $50 million to support them in working together to address major problems in human health under the NHMRC’s 2024 Synergy Grants scheme.

• Media release
• News
• 30 September 2024

Speaking of Science: Synthetic Biology (designer cells and antibodies) with Professor Shalin Naik

National Science Week is an annual celebration that promotes and encourages interest in STEMM and acknowledges the contributions of Australian scientists to our ever-growing world of knowledge.

In this Speaking of Science webinar held during National Science Week (10 August – 18 August 2024), we were joined by the inspirational cell biologist and Laboratory Head at WEHI and the University of Melbourne, Professor Shalin Naik. Professor Naik is well versed in communicating complex science concepts across to the public in more simple ways where possible, and without belittling the important work that underlies it. In this webinar, he did just that!

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 22 August 2024

Novel vaccines to prevent hearing loss lead to learning and life outcomes

Almost all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in remote areas have ear problems that start from within weeks of birth. For many, otitis media (‘glue ear’) leads to hearing loss and devastating learning and life outcomes.

• News
• Ten of the Best
• 15th Edition
• 4 August 2024

Speaking of Science: International Research Translation Practice

Knowledge gained through research underpins improvements in Australia's health and medical services. This research can be fundamental or can be applied, directly addressing clinical problems, public policy, quality of life and environmental health issues or the provision of health services.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 26 July 2024

$7 million to target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Five expert research teams will share in an investment of $7 million in funding to support targeted health and medical research into the commercial determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

• Media release
• News
• 19 July 2024

Celebrating a 25-year legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research with NHMRC

Professor Yvonne Cadet-James, the pioneering researcher, academic, mentor, registered nurse and midwife is celebrating a 25-year legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research at the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

• InFocus
• News
• 12 July 2024

Research Excellence: Advancing health equity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population

Associate Professor Odette Pearson is of Eastern Yalanji and Torres Strait Islander descent and coleads the Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. Her research focus is improving chronic disease and ageing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through policy and guideline development and implementing and evaluating real world health and social interventions. Aboriginal leadership, governance and community and cross sector partnerships are foundations of her research. A/Prof Pearson has received the Lowitja Institute Patricia Anderson Leader in Aboriginal Research (2023), UniSA Alumini Award for Research in Aboriginal Health (2022) and The Diane Ranck, SAHMRI award for Leadership in Research (2022).

• InFocus
• News
• 8 July 2024

Driving a new era in Australian health and medical research

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) will work more closely under a new structure announced today.

• Media release
• News
• 5 July 2024

Speaking of Science: International Men’s Health Week

For the 30th anniversary of International Men’s Health Week (10–16 June 2024), NHMRC shined an important light on key issues impacting the health and wellbeing of Australian men and boys, focusing on the 3 pillars of health: physical, mental and emotional.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 21 June 2024

Speaking of Science: Unlocking the power of Indigenous co-design and intervention: Transformative outcomes through authentic collaboration

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can join the national efforts towards achieving national reconciliation.

In this Speaking of Science webinar held during National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June 2024), we were joined by distinguished researcher and Indigenous leader, Professor Maree Toombs (Professor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the University of New South Wales School of Population Health) who walked us through an incredibly moving presentation.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 31 May 2024

Redefining resilience research for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents

It is well known that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ conceptions of health and wellbeing and life experiences differ vastly from mainstream populations.

• News
• Ten of the Best
• 15th Edition
• 27 May 2024

Over $77 million in funding to be shared in national clinical trials and cohort studies

High-quality national clinical trials and cohort studies aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians will receive over $77 million in funding under the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies grant scheme.

• Media release
• News
• 10 May 2024

Speaking of Science: Towards a National Indigenous Genomics Agenda

Harnessing the power of research by combining genomics, precision medicine and public heath can help to address the long-term health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 18 April 2024

Honouring the achievements and dedication of Australian health and medical researchers

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has honoured the outstanding achievements with its annual Research Excellence Awards announced this evening in Canberra.

• Media release
• News
• 27 March 2024

10 of the Best: Recognising Australia’s top researchers delivering extraordinary outcomes

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has released the 15th edition of its ‘10 of the Best’ publication, showcasing the calibre of our nation’s health and medical researchers working to prevent disease, improve detection and treatment methods, increase our understanding of common health conditions and deliver extraordinary outcomes.

• Media release
• News
• 15th Edition
• 27 March 2024

Speaking of Science: International Women’s Day 2024 - Inspire Inclusion

International Women’s Day represents a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all of those committed to forging women’s equality.

In this Speaking of Science webinar held for International Women’s Day, we were joined by members of NHMRC’s Research Committee to discuss this year’s theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 21 March 2024

Speaking of Science: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month- Early detection, risk prediction and improving prognosis

Around 1,786 new cases of ovarian cancer in Australia were estimated to have been diagnosed in 2023, which is the equivalent of a 1 in 87 lifetime risk.

In our first Speaking of Science webinar, held for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we were joined by international expert in ovarian cancer research, Professor Susan Ramus (Professor of Molecular Oncology in the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of New South Wales).

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 1 March 2024