Tag: research

Ovarian Cancer Research Grant Opportunity (EPCDR Initiative)
The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research (EPCDR) Initiative aims to enable or support:
- High quality biomedical, clinical, health services and/or population health research which improves patient care
- Translation of new discoveries into clinical practice
- New diagnoses, treatments and cures to those suffering from rare and debilitating conditions
- Joint collaboration of consumers and researchers in undertaking research in emerging priority areas, and
- Many Australians with debilitating conditions
The objectives of the 2019 Ovarian Cancer Research grant opportunity aims to:
- Facilitate innovative, high quality research which will lead to:
  - Improved diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer
  - Research which will address the gaps in research, leading to a better understanding of the causes and underlying factors which contribute to the development and progression of ovarian cancer
  - Facilitate consumer involvement in the design and evaluation of the research project (including participation in the conduct of the research)
  - Provide high-quality evidence for the new health treatments and/or drugs (where appropriate)
  - Enable rapid translation of consumer-relevant research into clinical practice, health policy and/or health advice which will lead to positive impacts for consumers
  - Encourage the development of multi-disciplinary research teams which deliver measurable outcomes which are a priority for consumers
  - Encourage collaboration between research teams, policy makers, healthcare funders and the health delivery sector (e.g. education, community, industry and/or healthcare)
The total amount available is $20 million. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Research Grants Management System (RGMS).

Applications close 2pm (AWST), Wednesday 5 February, 2020. More information
December 2, 2019

Researcher in bid to blow rogue cancer’s cover

A Western Australian cancer researcher is on a mission to blow the cover of a highly aggressive and difficult-to-detect form of breast cancer and believes a mysterious protein could hold the key to the breakthrough.

Fiona Stanley Hospital oncologist Dr Indunil Weerasena’s research follows important new findings, made by other local researchers, about the mysterious protein called AAMDC.

Research has shown that AAMDC not only hastened cancer cell proliferation but also made them resistant to the hormone and chemotherapies that were commonly used to fight ER positive breast cancers. High levels of AAMDC happen to be found in a subtype of cancer known as IC2. This subtype is known to have high rates of recurrence as well as resistance to contemporary chemotherapy regimes.

Dr Weerasena’s project, with the aid of a McGowan Government-funded Cancer Research Fellowship, aims to determine whether the rogue ER positive cancer is an IC2 subtype.

His findings could pave the way for the earlier identification of these cancers and more effective treatments, potentially with older chemotherapy regimes. Parallels between breast and ovarian cancer mean Dr Weerasena’s research may also have further benefits for the treatment of some ovarian cancer patients.

Dr Weerasena is one of seven researchers awarded a Cancer Research Fellowship in the WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network program.

More than $1.2 million will be distributed this year in the program that was established in 2014 to enable medical practitioners working in the WA Health system to expand their cancer expertise and research skills.

Read the full media statement

Full list of recipients

Recipient	Project	Hospital
Eliska Furlong	Evaluation of an enhanced influenza vaccination schedule in immunocompromised children undergoing treatment for cancer by assessment of cellular and humoral immune response	Perth Children’s Hospital
Timothy Humphries	Integrating Tumour Mutational Burden testing for appropriate selection of immune-oncology therapy in metastatic melanoma	Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Andy Hutchison	Implementation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in Western Australia	Fiona Stanley Hospital
Azim Khan	Defeating Breast Cancer Disadvantage in the Indigenous population	Fiona Stanley Hospital
Annalise Martin	Precision Medicine, identification of novel drug targets for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in Western Australia through analysis	Royal Perth Hospital
Indunil Weerasena	Integrated Cluster 2 Breast Cancers: The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing	Fiona Stanley Hospital
Courtney Wood	Paediatric Palliative Care Fellowship	Perth Children’s Hospital

November 6, 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
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
2019 Ana Africh Stem Cell Research Travel Award
The UWA Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine (CCTRM) has announced applications are open for the 2019 Ana Africh Stem Cell Research Travel Award. The Scholarship is open to all UWA Postgraduate students and Early Career Researchers in the field of stem cell research.

The Ana Africh Award is designed to encourage and assist Early Career Researchers and PhD students to attend and present at nationally and/or internationally renowned conferences in the field of stem cell research.

The value of the Award is:
- International travel – up to the value of $2500
- National travel – up to the value of $1500
Please email applications and supporting documents to Anne Kramer

Click here for conditions, eligibility, selection criteria and application procedure

Submission close: 5pm, Wednesday 10 July 2019
June 10, 2019
Research Translation Projects (RTP) Grant Opportunity now open
The Research Translation Projects (RTP) program is now open for its 13th round.

The RTP grant program seeks to support high quality research projects which have the potential to improve policy and/or practice in WA Health, and aim to investigate efficiencies which can be delivered while maintaining or improving patient outcomes. Projects may be awarded up to $270,000 and must be completed within 24 months.

To be considered applications must include:
- Addresses relevant contemporary challenges faced by WA health
- A solid economic analysis of the predicted benefits
- Demonstrate a commitment to the translation and implementation of research findings into health care policy and practice improvements in WA
Applications which feature projects for subsequent grant applications to external programs, such as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) are encouraged. Applications from persons in the clinical service delivery environment with suitable multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations are also encouraged to apply.

The 2019 (Round 13) Guidelines for Applicants and the Application Form can be downloaded from the Research Development site.

Applications close: 1pm, Monday 24 June 2019

For queries or advice on submitting applications and accessing health economics expertise contact the Research Development Unit.
May 16, 2019
Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund

The Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund* aims to benefit Australians with disability, especially people with an intellectual or developmental disability.

The Fund seeks to encourage quality and innovation in the disability services sector. Grants are available for researchers to undertake research which will advance the health, well-being and life experiences of people with disability. To date the Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund has given away over $541,000 in grants. Watch the video below to see the impact funds raised are having in disability research and social inclusion projects:

Research Award receives $70,000 for research conducted by appropriately qualified researchers

Inclusive Research Award up to $20,000 for researchers to undertake a project which includes people with disability as co-researchers

Applications close 3pm, Monday 27 May 2019

Apply via the online submission form

*The Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund was formerly known as the Endeavour Foundation Endowment Challenge Fund. It was renamed and relaunched in 2019

May 6, 2019
Research grants now available targeting vehicle or workplace accidents

The WA state government and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia have announced a research program aimed at increasing the Independence of people injured in a vehicle or workplace accident.

Up to $200,000 will be available for research over the total 18 month program. The funding is aimed at physiotherapy and occupational therapy researchers.

To apply contact the following research foundations:

Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

Applications close – 5pm, Friday 31 May

Apply here

Read the full media statement

April 16, 2019
Need help with Clinical Research?
WAHTN are offering a Clinical Research Support Service for anyone currently involved or interested in conducting clinical research in Western Australia.

This service is provided by the Clinical Trial and Data Management Centre (CTDMC), who will be visiting with WAHTN Member Partners*

The team will provide advice on various aspects of clinical research including:
- How to get started with clinical research
- Navigating the regulatory environment
- Where to find training, and networking with other researchers
- Setting up essential documents for a clinical trial
- Data management, and database design
- Review of protocols and other research related documents
Location: Harry Perkins Institute, QEII Medical Centre, Room SR 612a

To make an appointment: Email CTDMC or 08 9266 1970

Dates Times

Tuesday 30 April 2019 09:30 – 13:30

Tuesday 18 June 2019 09:30 – 13:30

Tuesday 20 August 2019 09:30 – 13:30

Tuesday 22 October 2019 09:30 – 13:30

*WAHTN Member Partners: Curtin University, Department of Health WA, Ear Science Institute, Edith Cowan University, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Fremantle Hospital, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Institute for Respiratory Health, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Lions Eye Institute, Murdoch University, PathWest, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth Children’s Hospital, Ramsay Health Care, Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, St John of God Health Care, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Notre Dame, The University of Western Australia
March 7, 2019

Dates	Times
Tuesday 30 April 2019	09:30 – 13:30
Tuesday 18 June 2019	09:30 – 13:30
Tuesday 20 August 2019	09:30 – 13:30
Tuesday 22 October 2019	09:30 – 13:30