New program to increase the competitiveness of WA researchers

Media Statement from the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Emergency Services, Innovation and ICT, Medical Research & Volunteering. 

Originally published Sunday, 03 July 2022 .

New program to increase the competitiveness of WA researchers

  • McGowan Government program will co-fund national and international research funding applications to increase WA success rates
  • Increased WA research grant success aims to boost WA’s capacity to conduct high-quality research.

The McGowan Government is offering a new program to provide in-principle financial support for research applications being submitted to nationally competitive grant funding rounds to boost their chance of success.

The MRAS (Major Research Application Support) program is being offered through the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund.

Applications supported by MRAS that are successful in winning an eligible national or international grant, can then undertake research aimed at addressing significant health issues in WA with co-funding from the FHRI Fund.

This success also generates financial benefits, which will see the State Government investment result in at least double the amount being spent in WA.

Successful MRAS applicants need to demonstrate their project addresses a significant health issue in WA; builds capacity and capability in research; and has the potential to attract external, competitive funds to WA.

Applicants with projects focused on Aboriginal and/or regional WA health issues are encouraged to apply as they are recognised as areas of importance in the FHRI Fund Act and Governance Framework.

Comments attributed to Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:

“The Major Research Application Support program provides a competitive advantage to WA researchers, increasing their chances of success in securing national and international grant funding.

“The MRAS is funded through the McGowan Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund to drive health and medical research, innovation and commercialisation and through these activities, improve the health and prosperity of all Western Australians.

“Therefore, the co-funding offered through the MRAS program will provide access to even larger funding through major external competitive grant funding organisations, increasing the ambition and potential impact of the work of WA’s leading researchers.

“This program will increase research that is of significance to WA and be the conduit for the transformation of research findings into improved health policies and practices, benefiting all Western Australian residents.”

Comments attributed to Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, WA Chair of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes:

“Western Australia is home to some of the world’s best and brightest health and medical researchers who are working to solve the biggest health challenges of our time.”

“The MRAS program will give our researchers a competitive edge by providing crucial support to Western Australian submissions to major competitive co-funding programs.”

“Increasing our state’s share of national and international competitive funding will drive more medical research discoveries and increase our capacity to improve the health and prosperity of all Western Australians.”