Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Report Card of Achievements 2020

NHMRC acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this year, and the great success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in managing the pandemic effects.

This is an annual report card focused on the achievements made in 2020 against the three-year Action Plan for Road Map 3. NHMRC continues to work with Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (PCIC) on all the actions in NHMRC's Road Map 3 Action Plan 2018-21 Triennium

NHMRC is committed to a 5% spend or more of the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical research.
"Indigenous Expenditure 2020 Infograph"
PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES was the top field of research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research funding with $35,092,432 spent

241

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health active* research grants

$57,177,976

Spent on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research

6.4%

Funding of the MREA for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research
*All grants being paid in 2020

Targeted Call for Research to form a National Network

NHMRC is establishing a National Network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers to bring together Indigenous health research groups and their support networks. The aim of the Network is to create an inclusive structure that strengthens and builds the capacity and capability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers. The Network will receive $10 million over five years.

Community Engagement

The objective of the National Network is to create one inclusive system that brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research groups and their support networks to create a structure that builds the capacity and capability of Indigenous health researchers.

NHMRC introduced a new Research Excellence Award honouring Professor Sandra Eades FAHMS. Professor Eades was the first Aboriginal medical practitioner to be awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy (2003). She is a Noongar woman from Mount Barker, Western Australia.
Her research career has focussed on the epidemiology of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health in Australia. Over the past 20 years, Professor Eades has made substantial contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and has provided leadership at a national level in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.

*Image (L to R): Dr Phillippa Taberlay, Professor Sandra Eades and Associate Professor Jaquelyne Hughes at the 2020 Research Excellence Awards night

 

PCIC is appointed on a triennial basis and provides advice and works with NHMRC Council and CEO on issues relating to guide and direct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. Professor Sandra Eades is chair of PCIC and also a member of NHMRC Council.

NHMRC is committed to building and strengthening capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers. In 2020:

59 NHMRC active* grants were led by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers
150 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers on active* grants were funded by NHMRC
Dr Phillippa Taberlay was the inaugural recipient of the NHMRC Sandra Eades Investigator Grant Award – This award is given to the top-ranked application by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher in the Emerging Leadership category of Investigator Grants.
*All grants being paid in 2020

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Associate Professor Jaquelyne Hughes received the NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Award – This award recognises the highest ranked application within the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies grant scheme.

NHMRC continues the Tripartite Agreement in international Indigenous health with Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC).

NHMRC is committed to Reconciliation and our Reconciliation Action Plan sets out the actions to foster respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to:

  • build mutually beneficial relationships with communities

  • foster and strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical researchers

  • support the employment of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in our agency.

Our second Innovate RAP will be finalised in 2021.

  • NHMRC offered 5 Aboriginal and
    Torres Strait Islander students a
    summer virtual Internship.
  • NHMRC staff participated in the
    JAWUN program.

Download Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Report Card of Achievements 2020