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Boost for medical research

MORE than $124 million will be invested by the Australian Government in new medical and health research projects.
The funding is a significant injection in the future careers and research capabilities of Australian research staff.
It comes on top of the comprehensive education initiatives outlined by the Prime Minister recently to invest $370 million in Australia's universities, double the number of undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships, and introduce 1,000 mid-career research fellowships to help keep academics in Australia.
"We are committed to ensuring that Australia's best and brightest researchers have sufficient support and financial assistance to continue to work at the forefront of their fields.
"We will also ensure that all Australians have access to the best possible research in relation to the critical health and medical conditions facing them today," Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon said on announcing the funding.
The funding, provided and administered through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), includes:

$74.8 million for 133 fellowships, 171 scholarships and 75 career-development and training awards to help Australian researchers further their careers
$48.4 million for four program grants, allowing leading Australian researchers to pursue collaborative work into cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C and contribute at an international level
$0.83 million to facilitate international collaboration with research institutions and researchers in the European Union, France and China.

"Improving preventative health services and chronic disease management through targeted research will deliver better health outcomes for Australians and their families," Nicola Roxon said.