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  • Grants windfall for WA Health researchers

    Western Australian researchers have triumphed in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) partnership project grants, with four projects having secured money from the national research funding body.

    Researchers Professor Elizabeth Armstrong, Dr Peter Arrow, Professor David Atkinson, and Professor David Mackey are chief investigators of the projects which have been awarded Commonwealth research money totalling almost $3.7 million – an amount the State has committed to top up with around $1 million.

    Chief Medical Officer, Professor Gary Geelhoed, has described the result as outstanding saying it is a remarkable turnaround for Western Australia which had traditionally fared poorly in the NHMRC funding carve-up. Professor Geelhoed also said the four NHMRC-funded projects would be particularly beneficial to Aboriginal people living in rural and remote parts of the State.

    The Major Research Grant Support initiative invited WA health and medical researchers intending to apply for a partnership-type grant from a major research funding body to apply for a Department of Health funding commitment.

    The scheme is among a host of Department of Health innovative and strategic initiatives supported by the WA Health Translation Network.

  • Announcing the release of the new online module “Foundations of Health Research”

    The Research Education and Training Program (RETP), is proud to announce the release of the new online module “Foundations of Health Research”

    In this module, participants will learn:

    1. What research means & understand the benefits of research
    2. The research process
    3. What makes a research idea worth pursuing
    4. How to turn an idea into a clear, answerable research question
    5. How to map different research question types to different research study design options

    To self-enrol and be an online participant and receive a certificate of completion, please go to the RETP website or https://www.retp.org/training/

    Other online modules available are:

    • Critical Appraisal of Scientific Papers
    • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Modules 1-5.
  • Cancer Council WA – Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme – Call for Expression of Intent (EOI)

    Cancer Council WA, in partnership with Government of Western Australia, Western Australian Health Translation Network, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute, are seeking EOI applications for the Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme. A total of $250,000 is available in this grant round.

    Expressions of Intent will be sought in March 2017, for up to 10 cancer research projects to commence in 2018; funding support of $25,000 – $50,000 will be awarded for each project to encourage collaboration among early to mid-career researchers (E-MCRs). These grants aim to improve research quality and increase the competitiveness of WA early to mid-career cancer researchers by helping researchers obtain preliminary data and build collaborative networks.

    Two unique features of these grants are: each application is required to have at least one chief investigator from a minimum of three West Australian Research Institutions; and all chief investigators must be E-MCRs.

    For EOI details and guidance please visit the Cancer Council WA website: https://www.cancerwa.asn.au/research/funding/collaborative_cancer_grant_scheme/ – Application forms will be available from 1 March 2017. Shortlisted applicants will move to the full application stage which opens in May.

    Cancer Council Closing date: 10 April 2017

    Please submit the following documents by the internal closing date, Monday 27 March 2017:

    • One fully completed UWA Grant Application Cover Sheet (pages 1-2): http://www.research.uwa.edu.au/staff/rgco/forms#acdn-2 .

    • One electronic version of the application to karen.dalby@uwa.edu.au

    Any queries should be directed to Karen Dalby, details below:

    Ms Karen Dalby ARM(F)
    Research Grants Officer
    Office of Research Enterprise • M459, Perth WA 6000 Australia
    T +61 8 6488 1627 • E karen.dalby@uwa.edu.au

  • Clinician Research Fellowships

    The Clinician Research Fellowships program is now open for applications.

    The Clinician Research Fellowships program is an initiative of the Department of Health in conjunction with the Raine Medical Research Foundation.

    The program is designed to encourage clinicians employed by WA Health to develop their research capability, while continuing some clinical duties.  The program also facilitates high quality research that will ultimately provide better healthcare outcomes.  The research must be undertaken in WA and be of direct relevance to WA Health.

    The program is open to WA Health clinicians:

    • across healthcare disciplines including allied health and health sciences; dental; medical; and nursing/midwifery professionals;
    • who are either early- or mid-career researchers; and
    • who have minimal or no paid research time.

    Fellowship funding will provide salary support for research duties up to 0.5 FTE, as well as contribute to minor research costs.  The duration of each Fellowship can be up to 3 years, depending on the extent of the research proposal.  During the term of the Fellowship, clinical duties within WA Health must be maintained at a minimum of 0.3 FTE.

    Applications close: Thursday 30 March 2017 at 1:00pm.

    The Guidelines and Conditions and Application documents can be accessed on the Raine Medical Research Foundation website http://rainefoundation.org.au/funding/clinician-research-fellowships/

  • NHMRC Outstanding Contribution Award 2017

    The NHMRC are inviting nominations for an outstanding Australian for NHMRC’s biennial award to recognise long-term contribution, individual commitment and support of NHMRC and health and medical research.

    The NHMRC 2017 Outstanding Contribution Award will be given to individuals who have:

    • made significant contributions to NHMRC
    • been strong advocates for health and medical research
    • been inspirational role models for the health and medical research community.

    The following criteria will also be considered:

    • personal, academic and professional achievements
    • demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
    • the impact of their contribution to Australian health and medical research and its outcomes
    • residence of the nominee in Australia.

    Past winners of the NHMRCOutstanding Contribution Award are:

    2015: Professor Melissa Little

    • 2013: Professor Ron Trent
    • 2011: Mrs Elizabeth Grant AM
    • 2010: Professor David Weisbrot AM
    • 2007: Sr Regis Mary Dunne AO; Mr Peter Wills AC.

    Nominations should be not more than 500 words (an A4 page) and should provide examples of how the nominee meets the criteria for the Outstanding Contribution Award.  The nominations will be assessed by the Chief Executive Officer of NHMRC, on advice from the Senior Executive of ONHMRC.

    Please send your nominations, by 5pm AEDT Friday 31 March 2017 to nhmrc.awards@nhmrc.gov.au or by post to:

    NHMRC Outstanding Contribution Award

    Parliamentary and External Communications

    National Health and Medical Research Council

    GPO Box 1421

    Canberra ACT 2601

  • Research Skills Seminar Series:Grant Applications Understanding funding opportunities, review processes and writing to optimise your chance of success

    Are you interested in turning your research idea into a well prepared grant application?

    With funding rounds coming up again soon, it is never too late to spend an hour looking at available funding opportunities and strategies for putting together a high quality grant application. The seminar will also cover the grant review process, and how to submit and respond to reviewer comments.

    Presenter: A/Prof. Sue Skull

    Associate Professor Sue Skull is a paediatrician, epidemiologist, public health physician and researcher. She is an experienced teacher of research methods and enjoys helping others improve and enjoy their research experience.

    For more information visit the RSSS page: www.retp.org/events/grantapplications2017

  • Science on the Swan 2017 – One Health

    Science on the Swan, WA’s annual premier health and medical research conference, is now open for early bird registration.

    This year the focus is “One Health’ and we have a stellar group of speakers presenting.

    Please check the website for all information and click here to register.

    Science on the Swan 2017 Poster

  • Appointment of 3 new Consumer Advocates for the Consumer and Community Health Research Network

    The WAHTN Consumer and Community Health Research Network is pleased to welcome Consumer Advocates: Tanya Jones, Briony Williams and Ben Horgan to their team.

    Our new Consumer Advocates (left to right) Ben Horgan, Briony Williams and Tanya Jones

    The Advocates are currently undertaking induction and training for their new roles and will commence working at UWA, Telethon Kids Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Harry Perkins Institute, Curtin University and Edith Cowan University over the next few weeks.

    As it is now grant writing time and many researchers are preparing applications, there are funding bodies that require researchers to address specific questions about involving consumers and / or community members in their research applications. The WAHTN’s Consumer and Community Health Research Network is here to provide advice and support to researchers to consider ways to address these questions in developing planned and budgeted strategies for involvement activities.
    If you would like assistance or support with grant writing and consumer and community involvement you can contact us on ipir@telethonkids.org.au or through the contact us section on our website http://www.involvingpeopleinresearch.org.au/home/contact-us

  • Australian innovative SMEs and start ups in the digital health space are invited to apply for the 2017 intake to the Texas Medical Centre Accelerator program

    Innovative SMEs and startups in the digital health space are invited to apply for the Texas Medical Centre Accelerator (TMCx) online here by 23 December 2017.  This is a unique opportunity,  with TMC accepting up to  4 Australian firms, at no charge, to be part of their Accelerator program, commencing 13 February 2017.

    The 4 month program will be offered on a competitive basis to Australian companies by the TMC.  Participating companies will be responsible for funding their own travel, accommodation and other expenses while in Houston.

    • Located in the TMC Innovation Institute, the TMCx accelerator program provides startup companies with shared workspace, a curriculum tailored to the needs of health care entrepreneurs and the guidance of over 120 advisors from the front lines of the industry. Companies have access to the world’s largest medical center, all without membership fees or equity sharing.
    • Participants further develop their companies by attending a variety of workshops and hands-on events to gain insights from experts in every facet of running a health-related business in the US: clinical trials, FDA regulations, HIPAA/HITECH compliance, hospital procurement, commercial pilots, intellectual property, licensing, fundraising, marketing and other critical areas.
    • Participants work with the TMCx team to refine strategies and build relationships across the Texas Medical Center. Companies network with key thought leaders and mentors during the Advisor Pitch Event, the TMC Expert Forum and other scheduled sessions. The four-month program culminates with TMCx Demo Day, an exclusive presentation to hundreds of investors, corporate partners, hospital stakeholders, media and other guests.

    HISA (Health Informatics Society of Australia) has formed an alliance with the Texas Medical Centre to drive the BioBridge initiative in Australia.

    This initiative is supported by Austrade.