New Snow Medical Fellowships help plug critical gap in medical research workforce

The Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) is pleased to see that the importance of recruiting and retaining the best medical research minds in Australia has been recognised in the development of the new Snow Medical Fellowships.

The inaugural Snow Fellows are each receiving $8 million to support their research with $1 million in funding each, and every year, for 8 years. The points of difference, and an approach which AAMRI applauds, is they are awarded to: early-to-mid-career scientists, focussing on biomedical research and are directed at human capital as oppose to building or projects.

This week three of AAMRI’s members were awarded Snow Medical Fellowships, with more funding for biomedical research announced as new fellowships opened today as well.

With the burden COVID-19 has put on the medical research sector, and the economic and health challenges we face, funding opportunities like this plug a critical gap. AAMRI President Jonathan Carapetis AM said that we often see the biggest drop off in in science in early-to-mid-career scientists as it is when the current Government funding schemes make it the most difficult for them to competitively access funds.

“It’s not just about more funds, it’s about funds going to the right place, and structured in a way to balance out the threats to our workforce,” said Professor Carapetis.

Snow Medical is a recently established biomedical research philanthropy group supported by the Canberra based Snow Family.

This year’s The Snow Fellows are:

  • Associate Professor James Hudson (QIMR Berghofer) – researching the heart and heart disease with organoids and a computer modelled, genetic encyclopedia of the heart;
  • Dr Marian Burr (John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU) – researching how to improve the human immune system’s ability to find and fight cancer; and
  • Dr Owen Siggs (Garvan Institute of Medical Research) – researching ways to combat autoimmune disease and improve the quality of life for patients.

Snow Medical has also provided $5.5 million for COVID-19 research. From 2021, two Snow Fellowships will be awarded each year.