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Distinguished experts honoured for leading health and medical research excellence

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has honoured a group of respected researchers for their contributions and commitment to health and medical research excellence.

• Media release
• News
• Yesterday

Speaking of Science: Oral health in the land of milk and honey: Developing dairy based technologies to help reduce oral diseases

Oral diseases, such as tooth decay and erosion, are the most prevalent diseases of humankind, affecting nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 25 March 2026

$6.7 million to support safer First Nations families and stronger communities

NHMRC is investing $6.7 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research to improve family safety and wellbeing. The funding will support work that builds on cultural knowledge, strengthens communities, and delivers evidence that can make a real difference on the ground.

• Media release
• News
• 23 March 2026

Advancing ICU recovery research with Professor Carol Hodgson

'The first time I stepped into the ICU, I fell in love with the environment. I loved the teamwork - the team are incredibly important to how we care for our patients. The ability to treat patients when they're at their most vulnerable is a real privilege.'

• News
• 25 February 2026

Speaking of Science: From concept to worldwide clinical use: developing an optimal surgical treatment for glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with an estimated 80 million people affected including more than 200,000 Australians.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 25 February 2026

Statement from the CEOs of the ARC and NHMRC: Bolstering Australian research integrity

The Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) are committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct and integrity in the research we fund.

• News
• 23 February 2026

Purpose-led research - advice from Professor Fiona Stanley AC

'It's really important that another question that you ask yourself is, is this research going to translate into something that will make a difference?'

• News
• 18 February 2026

Meet the 2024 Elizabeth Blackburn Awardee - Professor Helen Marshall AM

'I think the most important thing is to find something you're really passionate about. If you're passionate, it will be obvious in the way you drive your research and the way you write for grants and papers. That will shine through and everything will just follow.'

• News
• 9 February 2026

CEO Statement - Development Grants announcement

NHMRC remains committed to investing in exceptional research that aims to improve the health and lives of all Australians, and we are proudly the national leading expert body in health and medical research.

• Communique
• News
• 2 February 2026

NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy

NHMRC and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, responsible for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), have launched a joint Open Science Policy. This policy marks a step forward in Australia’s commitment to research that is open, rigorous, and designed to benefit everyone.

• Media release
• News
• 2 February 2026

$4.4 million to advance research in the East Asia region

The Australian Government is investing $4.4 million to boost research innovation in the East Asia region by supporting participation in leading international collaborative health and medical research.

• Media release
• News
• 15 December 2025

Speaking of Science: Is obesity a disease or a risk factor? Changing paradigms with new definitions

The limitations of Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements are well documented in health and medical research and yet it remains the sole diagnostic tool for obesity.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 15 December 2025

$9.6 million investment to strengthen healthcare for all Australians

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is investing $9.6 million into research to improve understanding of the patient journey and better meet the healthcare service demand.

• Media release
• News
• 5 December 2025

$6.6 million investment into early detection of anal cancer

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is investing $6.6 million to help prevent, diagnose and treat anal cancer.

• Media release
• News
• 1 December 2025

Prestigious award recognises lead paramedic-scientist for life saving research

The 2025 Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research has been awarded to Dr Ziad Nehme from Monash University and Ambulance Victoria.

• Media release
• News
• 27 November 2025

Speaking of Science: Acting now against antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of this drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 26 November 2025

Embedding sex and gender considerations in research for better medical outcomes

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (responsible for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)) have today launched a new requirement for applicants for funding from their grant programs.

• Media release
• News
• 20 November 2025

Updated scientific progress report for NHMRC funded (MREA) grants

NHMRC has revised its MREA progress report template to gather more information to support evaluation of achievements against identified aims and collect data on clinical trials registration information that will contribute to NHMRC’s policy and evaluation processes.

• News
• 18 November 2025

CEO Statement on Global Health Research and International Collaboration

NHMRC is committed to global health research and international collaboration.

The health and wellbeing of Australians is connected to the health of our neighbours and the world. Global health challenges, including pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance and climate-related health threats, cannot be solved in isolation. They require coordinated international research responses and contribution to global scientific networks.

• Communique
• News
• 6 November 2025

NHMRC Statement on Sustainability Working Group Membership

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) acknowledges recent public interest regarding the resignation of Dr Brad Ridoutt from the Dietary Guidelines Sustainability Working Group.

• News
• 4 November 2025

Over $9 million for health and medical research partnerships

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is committed to strengthening collaborative partnerships with a combined investment of over $9 million towards health and medical research.

• Media release
• News
• 29 October 2025

Speaking of Science: Genetics of depression: risk and response to treatment with Dr Brittany Mitchell

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder and the largest contributor to global disability and yet one third of people diagnosed with depression are refractory to treatment.

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

$4 million funding boost to advance oral health care research

NHMRC is investing nearly $4 million to drive groundbreaking oral health research that will benefit all Australians.

• Media release
• News
• 3 October 2025

Engineering and medical research combined in the fight against Alzheimer's

Dr Prashant Bharadwaj's innovative research and work is paving the way for new treatments and offering hope to families affected by dementia.

• News
• Ten of the Best
• 16th Edition
• 16 September 2025

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

$72 million for Australian Centres of Research Excellence

NHMRC will provide $72 million for Centres of Research Excellence that will lead to better health outcomes in Australia and our region.

• Media release
• News
• 30 August 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

NHMRC 2026 Investigator Grant assessment review stage pilot

Transparency, accountability and shared learning are key components of NHMRC’s peer review process. A new peer review assessment stage will be piloted in the 2026 Investigator Grants round designed to strengthen the robustness of the existing peer review process.

• Media release
• News
• 13 August 2025

Have your say: Lived experience can strengthen research

'Insights into the lived experience of people managing chronic conditions can strengthen research.'

• News
• Video
• 7 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

Health and medical research funders highlight importance of sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation in science

Addressing research gaps related to the historical lack of consideration of sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation (the Variables) in health and medical research is central to the joint Statement on Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in Health and Medical Research (the Statement).

• News
• 31 July 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

Have your say: Involving consumers in research provides insights that can help plot the path towards a cure

'Involving consumers in research provides insights that can help plot the path towards a cure. Tailoring their role to fit specific projects helps research remain relevant and focused on achieving the best outcomes.'

• News
• Video
• 24 July 2025

Have your say: Research is about people and when people get involved, we move faster towards breakthroughs

'At its core, research is about people and when people get involved, we move faster towards breakthroughs, driving better health outcomes for everyone.'

• News
• Video
• 22 July 2025

Speaking of Science: New frontiers in brain cancer research with Professor Misty Jenkins AO and Professor Matt Dun

Around 2,000 Australians are diagnosed with brain cancer each year and survival rates remain low.  

For researchers Professor Misty Jenkins AO (WEHI and The Brain Cancer Centre) and Professor Matt Dun (University of Newcastle and the Mark Hughes Foundation), they’re just scratching the surface on what's possible in brain cancer research as we collectively move towards finding a cure for this insidious disease.

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

Have your say: If we want research that changes lives, it has to be grounded in real life and lived experience

'This isn’t just about good intentions, it’s a chance to change how we do things together. Because if we want research that changes lives, it has to be grounded in real life and lived experience.'

• News
• Video
• 17 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

Have your say: Consumer and community involvement is essential for high quality research

'NHMRC believes consumer and community involvement is essential for high quality research, and we know that research where the consumers and the community are involved right from the beginning is better research and has better outcomes and more impact.'

• News
• Video
• 10 July 2025

$20 million investment towards health and medical research partnerships

NHMRC is investing almost $20 million towards Australian health and medical research partnerships between researchers, decision makers, policy makers, managers and clinicians.

• Media release
• News
• 10 July 2025

Speaking of Science: Empowering consumers in health and medical research with Professor James St John and hosted by Ms Ainslie Cahill AM

How do researchers effectively involve consumers and the community in their research?

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

Updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

As Australia’s leading experts on health and medical research, NHMRC develops evidence based advice on priority health topics to prevent disease, improve health and help the states and territories to achieve consistent standards.

• Media release
• News
• 25 June 2025

Trust your gut: how the microbiome impacts mental health

Commonly referred to as a ‘second brain’, the role of the gut extends beyond being a digestor of food and drink. In fact, research has demonstrated time and time again the profound partnership between the gut and the brain, and the range of actions elicited by the chemical factory that is our gut microbiome. The gut-brain-axis operates through several pathways and chemical signals that have an influence over our mood, stress levels and cognitive function. So, with the support of the 100 trillion microbes that live within the human digestive system, Australian researchers are discovering how we can improve mental health conditions through diet.

• InFocus
• News
• 22 June 2025

$4.8 million to generate new evidence for long-term health conditions

NHMRC is investing $4.8 million into Australian health and medical research to generate new evidence to help people experiencing multiple long-term health conditions across the globe.

• Media release
• News
• 19 June 2025

Food for thought: Exploring how diet can improve mental health

As nutritional and psychological sciences advance, the evidence grows that diet is not only vital for physical health but also plays a significant role in mental wellbeing. While the burgeoning field of Nutritional Psychiatry shows correlations between not only what we eat and how we feel and behave, there is still so much to explore.

• InFocus
• News
• 16 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 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

Remote rehabilitation programs prove excellent option for people with chronic respiratory problems

Learn how dedicated physiotherapists, Professor Anne Holland and Associate Professor Narelle Cox's innovative remote rehabilitation program is transforming lives for those with chronic respiratory conditions. Their groundbreaking work offers accessible, effective care from the comfort of home.

• News
• Ten of the Best
• 16th Edition
• 19 May 2025

Recognising Excellence in advancing the evidence base in cardiac arrest and resuscitation

Recipient of the 2024 NHMRC Peter Doherty Investigator Grant Award (Emerging Leadership), Dr Ziad Nehme is a paramedic-scientist with expertise in prehospital emergency care and resuscitation research. With a focus on early response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, Dr Nehme is targeting improvements in early recognition and activation of emergency services, accelerating treatments through community-based care, and enhancing the evidence-base in resuscitation.

• InFocus
• News
• 17 May 2025

Recognising the power of community engagement in health and medical research

Recipient of the 2025 NHMRC Consumer Involvement Award, Professor James St John is a translational neuroscientist specialising in the creation and delivery of therapies to repair injuries and diseases of the nervous system. He has driven the development of a comprehensive consumer involvement program to design and create a cell transplantation therapy for repairing chronic spinal cord injury which is now progressing to a clinical trial.

• InFocus
• News
• 14 May 2025

Over $79 million investment towards clinical trials and cohort studies

An investment of over $79 million will support high quality clinical trials and cohort studies that address important gaps in knowledge, with potential for significant health benefits.

• Media release
• News
• 9 May 2025