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$21 million in funding for dementia research

WAHTN commends the Australian Government for setting aside an additional $21 million for dementia research. This is a significant area of research and the funds will help focus research on risk reduction, prevention and tracking of dementia – which is Australia’s second leading cause of death.

The need for investment in research to develop new treatments and to improve dementia care is evident. The $21 million is in addition to the $185 million Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care 10 year mission which is funded through the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

We congratulate the recipients of the 13 funded projects (listed below) who are all part of our Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) partner organisations.

Funded Projects from Round 5 – Dementia Risk Reduction and Prevention:

Chief Investigator	Project Title	Organisation
Assoc Prof Lisbeth Evered	The PROJECT Trial: PeRiOperaTive Enhancement of Cognitive Trajectory	University of Melbourne
Prof Kaarin Anstey	Translating the evidence on dementia risk reduction to generate assessments, advice and training for health professionals, policy makers, patients and public	University of New South Wales
Prof Andrew Pipingas	Mediterranean diet and exercise to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risks in independent living older Australians: the MedWalk randomised controlled trial	Swinburne University of Technology
Dr Ashleigh Smith	Living your best day – Optimising activity and diet compositions for dementia prevention	University of South Australia
Prof Sharon Naismith	REducing Sleep Apnoea for the PrEvention of Dementia (REShAPED): a multi-site feasibility RCT	University of Sydney
Prof Katherine Samaras	Preventing cognitive decline with metformin: a randomised controlled trial	The Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Dr Paul Gardiner	Taking a whole of day approach to optimising activity to prevent dementia in people with type 2 diabetes	The University of Queensland
Dr Yen Ying Lim	BetterBrains: Person-Centred, Multi-Domain, Primary Prevention Strategies to Delay Memory Decline	University of Melbourne
Dr Johnson George	Holistic Approach in Primary care for Preventing Memory Impairment aNd Dementia (HAPPI MIND)	Monash University
Assoc Prof Amy Brodtmann	Cardiovascular exercise to prevent cognitive decline in high risk patient populations: a post-ischaemic stroke exercise intervention study	University of Melbourne
Assoc Prof Edward Strivens	Reducing dementia risk in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities	James Cook University

Funded Projects from Round 6 – Improving Dementia Data and Methods:

Chief Investigator	Project Title	Organisation
Prof Annette Dobson	Improving Australia’s Dementia Statistics	The University of Queensland
Prof Velandai Srikanth	Leveraging electronic medical records and routine administrative data towards a population approach for monitoring dementia frequency, risk factors and management	Monash University

July 29, 2019

2019 Fresh Science Nominations Now Open
Are you an Early Career Researcher (ECR) and want the world to know about your discoveries? What’s the story behind your research and how can you tell it in a compelling way? Fresh Science is a national competition designed to help you craft a compelling story to tell the community and media.

The program takes up-and-coming researchers with no media experience and helps you become a spokesperson for science. If selected you’ll take part in:
- a one day media and communication training course where you’ll meet and chat with journalists from TV, newspaper and radio, including doing some practice interviews
- a one day professional development program where you’ll met people from business and government; learn how to pitch and make a pitch; write a short profile and social media posts with the guidance of two professional science communicators
- attend an evening event at the local pub where you get to practice presenting your results in an understandable and fun way
As part of Fresh Science they will publish a short, media-ready profile on you and promote via social media channels. See previous stories

If you’re an ECR currently working in Australia why not apply now?

Nominations close 23:59 Wednesday 14 August 2019

Read more about the eligibility criteria
July 22, 2019
Summer Internship for Indigenous Peoples in Genomics (SING)
SING is a week long workshop and mentoring program which covers technical and laboratory skills in genomics as well as theory, ethical and social implications of genomic research the benefits and risks of genomics for Indigenous peoples. Open to all health professionals who are interested in learning about and discussing genomic research and its implications for Indigenous peoples.

The goals of SING Australia are:
- Equip Indigenous individuals and communities with technical and contextual knowledge about genomic research
- Build capacity for Indigenous students and researchers in genomics and related disciplines, including bioethics and science and technology studies (STS)
- Facilitate conversations on how Indigenous knowledge and culture can and should impact on genomic research
- Form a SING network and web interface to facilitate communication and support surrounding genomics issues
- Begin conversations about best practices for Indigenous genomics in Australia
The first SING Australia workshop details:

Date: Sunday 10 – Saturday 16 November 2019

Time: Full Days

Location: Waurn Ponds Campus, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Read more and apply now
July 22, 2019
Authorship Guide and the Management of Data and Information in Research Guide

The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018 (2018 Code) is a document which articulates the broad principles and responsibilities which underpin the conduct of Australian research. The Authorship Guide and the Management of Data and Information in Research which accompany the 2018 Code are now available for download.

Developed jointly by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Australian Research Council (ARC), and Universities Australia, the 2018 Code and accompanying Guides have relevance across all research disciplines.

Adherence to the 2018 Code is a prerequisite to receive funding by the NHMRC.

Read more and download your copy now

NHMRC, ARC and Universities Australia are currently developing further guides to support the 2018 Code which are planned for release later in 2019.

July 22, 2019
Congenital Heart Disease Grant Opportunity
The Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) grant opportunity forms part of the Accelerated Research Initiative, funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

The CHD grant opportunity supports research to provide new diagnoses and treatment options for those suffering from congenital heart disease.

For this grant opportunity $20 million is available over 5 years from 2019-2020 through to 2023-24.

Other points to note:
- There’s no minimum grant amount
- The maximum grant amount is $10 million
- The grant amount will be up for 100% of eligible project costs
- Project must be completed by 30 June 2024
The CHD grant application closing date is: 3pm, Thursday 12 September 2019

Read the key documents and apply here
July 22, 2019
WA BioCheers Networking event now open for registrations

AusBiotech presents the WA BioCheers networking event. Hosted by Griffith Hack it’s a night to share ideas and build relationships in Western Australia’s vibrant biotechnology community.

You’ll also have the chance to meet your Western Australia-based AusBiotech Committees.

Why not register now?

Event Details

Date: Thursday 8 August 2019

Time: 5pm registration, 5:30pm event start

Location: Flux Basement, 191 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA

July 22, 2019
Using clinical health data for better healthcare free online course

The University of Sydney and NSW Health have partnered to deliver a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to provide existing and future health workforce with insights into the use of healthcare data. This course is appropriate to all students undertaking health and medical degrees, as well as teaching staff who seek quality curriculum resources.

Using clinical health data for better healthcare addresses foundational capabilities for information seeking, knowledge creation and decision making, utilising health data contained within digital systems.

Led by Prof Tim Shaw, Faculty of Health Sciences and Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, and Adj Prof Annette Solman, Health Education and Training Institute, the MOOC consists of over 30 videos and associated learning resources, delivered by subject matter experts from across health, education, government and industry.

The MOOC is freely available on the Coursera platform and while it does have a New South Wales focus it is relevant to any Australian health practitioner

July 4, 2019
Cancer Council WA funding
The Cancer Council WA have two funding opportunities now open for applications.

The opportunities are:
- Cancer Council WA Postdoctoral Fellowship – applications close Friday 19 August 2019
- Cancer Council WA Student Vacation Scholarships – applications close Tuesday 13 August 2019
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to biomedical and health researchers and is worth up to $75,000 each year for 3 years. With funding available from January 1, 2020. This funding will be awarded to an outstanding Early Career Researcher who will contribute to the field of cancer research in Western Australia (WA). Read the guidelines and application forms

The Student Vacation Scholarships aim to encourage promising students to develop and advance their cancer-related research skills during the 2019-2020 summer holiday period. The scholarships are available to students studying disciplines related to cancer control (including biological science, medicine, behavioural science or public health). Up to $3,000 is available for each scholarship. Read the guidelines and application form

For more information contact the Cancer Council WA Education & Research Office
July 4, 2019
Spinnaker Health Research Foundation grants

The Spinnaker Health Research Foundation 2020 Grants are opening for Expressions of Interest (EOI) on Monday 8 July 2019.

Spinnaker supports health research which responds to identified needs of the community of the south metropolitan area of Perth, and has potential for translation at a local, national and international level.

Early Career Research and See grants are available up to $15,000. Projects are required to demonstrate the capacity for translation into practice. The projects must also demonstrate the opportunities for sharing of knowledge for the betterment of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of disease or human health conditions.

Why not book a time with the Consumer and Community Health Research Network to review your application?

Read more about how to apply.

Deadline for Expression of Interest – 4pm, 9 August 2019

Information Session – 8am, 17 July 2019

Grant Writing Session – 12pm, 19 July 2019

Contact Dani Ryder to register for any of the above sessions

July 1, 2019
2019 Premier’s Science Award Finalists Announced
Congratulations to the 2019 Finalists of the Premier’s Science Awards. Many of our partner organisations and their amazing researchers are represented.

This year’s awards finalists include a scientist who has discovered new ways to treat and diagnose cancer; a scientist who is improving the ways our marine ecosystems are monitored, and a scientist who has found self-sustaining plant communities that can thrive in previously sterile, mined landscapes.

Premier’s Science Award categories include:
- Scientist of the Year ($50,000 prize)
- Woodside Early Career Scientist of the Year ($10,000 prize)
- ExxonMobil Student Scientist of the Year ($10,000 prize)
- Shell Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year ($10,000 prize)
- Chevron Science Engagement Initiative of the Year ($10,000 prize)
The Premier’s Science Awards winners and Western Australian Science Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at a ceremony on August 13, 2019. The awards are sponsored by Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and Woodside and supported by the State’s five universities.

Read more about the 2019 Finalists
June 20, 2019

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