NHMRC opened a Targeted Call for Research (TCR) into Debilitating Symptom Complex Attributed to Ticks on 30 May 2018. Given the public interest in the call following the Senate Inquiry and the government’s response to fund further research on this issue, NHMRC decided to re-open the call to accept additional applications to ensure that a breadth of the highest quality research is funded. The extended call for applications closed on 29 August 2018.

The aims of implementing the call are to:  

  • better understand the nature, prevalence and causes of DSCATT and the way they impact on the physical, social and psychological health of patients. 
  • obtain evidence to guide the development of effective tools and procedures for diagnosis, treatment and symptom management.  

Applications received during the call were peer reviewed by an expert panel of researchers. Following peer review, 2 applications were funded by NHMRC. Details of these awarded grants are provided in the Funding outcomes table.

Table: Funding outcomes
App IDChief Investigator AApplication titleAdministering InstitutionBudgetGrant duration
1169827Professor Richard KanaanDeveloping Treatment for Debilitating Symptom Complexes attributed to TicksUniversity of Melbourne$1,055,7662019 to 2024
1169949Professor Peter IrwinTroublesome Ticks: Determining the aetiology of DSCATT in AustraliaMurdoch University$1,934,7482019 to 2024