More than 450,000 Australians are living with dementia and it is Australia's second leading cause of death. A long-term approach to the diagnosis and treatment of dementia is essential for Australia's social and economic wellbeing.
Latest news
- Recent National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) dementia-awarded grants
- The 2021 Investigator Grants grant opportunity has concluded with the awarding of nine outstanding investigators in the field of dementia research at the Emerging Leadership level, to a total value of $9 million. Further information is available at Investigator grants.
- The 2020 Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) grant opportunity has concluded with the awarding of three CRE grants in Dementia Research to a total value of $9 million.
- Professor Perminder Sachdev: Vascular Contributions to Dementia (VCD-CRE) – a transformative approach to reducing the burden of cognitive disorders
- Associate Professor Dina LoGiudice: On TRACK (Teaching, Research and Community Knowledges): CRE promoting brain health with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Associate Professor Scott Ayton: Centre of research Excellence in Enhanced Dementia Diagnosis (CREEDD)
- Further information is available at Centres of Research Excellence.
- The NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research (NNIDR) closed on 30 June 2020 after a successful five years supporting the Australian dementia research sector and assisting with the delivery of the Australian Government's Boosting Dementia Research Initiative (BDRI). NNIDR was delivered in partnership with Dementia Australia and we thank and acknowledge the effort and commitment of Dementia Australia, NNIDR staff, dementia researchers, consumers, carers, clinicians and those living with dementia for their engagement and contributions to dementia research. Further information on NNIDR activities, outputs and resources is available at NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research.
- We remain committed to supporting dementia research. Information on current NHMRC funding opportunities is available at Find funding.
Funding facts
Since 2014, we have awarded over $466 million in direct funding to 429 dementia research projects. This includes funding through the Boosting Dementia Research Initiative (BDRI) (2014-2019) (last updated: 14 September 2021). This includes:
- 156 grants to 374 Australian researchers across 28 research institutions, totalling $186 million1 funded through the Boosting Dementia Research Initiative (BDRI) (2014–2019)
- an additional $280 million funded through other NHMRC funding schemes.
1Number and value of grants is as announcement and may include some grants that were relinquished or not taken up.
See the file Final Dementia Outcomes Data (XLSX 160 KB) for all dementia research funded through NHMRC funding schemes since 2014 (last updated: 14 September 2021).
Resources
Strategic Roadmap for Dementia Research and Translation
The Strategic Roadmap for Dementia Research and Translation (PDF 560 KB) outlines current and emerging priorities for dementia research in Australia.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Roadmap for Dementia Research and Translation
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Roadmap for Dementia Research and Translation (PDF 1.5 MB) provides a framework for policy, strategy and funding to address the challenge of dementia within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - for people currently living with dementia, their families and carers.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Dementia Research Action Plan
The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Dementia Research Action Plan (PDF 700 KB) includes research priorities and guiding principles identified to increase inclusion of CALD Australians in dementia research, and improve dementia health and care equity for all Australians. The Action Plan was developed by the NNIDR and the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI).
We are pleased to announce that the NARI will take the lead role in promoting the uptake and integration of principles and priorities contained within the Action Plan into dementia research.
The Action Plan (in the Downloads section, below) has been translated into a range of languages (Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Greek, Italian and Vietnamese). It's also available on the NARI website.
Dementia research outcomes
We are committed to evaluating the significant $200 million BDRI investment to better understand the impact of dementia research funding and to identify areas of need for future investment in this area.
The Boosting Dementia Research Initiative 2014–2019 Report (PDF 8.4 MB) details key outcomes and success stories from the BDRI investment.
Consumer involvement in dementia research
We understand and value the importance of meaningful engagement with consumers throughout all stages of research and health care. We encourage the active involvement of people living with dementia, their carers and families, and the wider community in dementia research. More information can be found at NHMRC consumer and community engagement.