1. AAMRI news

AAMRI’s new animation shows the speed and breadth of COVID-19 research happening across Australia

AAMRI released an animation to show the pace and impact of change that happened across the country at our medical research institutes. The animation emphasises that as things were changing, researchers from a variety of fields – virology, immunology, microbiology, mental health, to name a few – started looking at their work and thinking ‘how can I help’?

VicAAMRI applauds appointment of Victoria’s first Minister for Medical Research

Victoria’s medical research sector applauds the appointment of the state’s first dedicated Minister for Medical Research, the Hon. Jaala Pulford MP. The appointment highlights the importance of the medical research sector to the economic strength of Victoria, and the health of all Victorians. Read the full media release from VicAAMRI.

2020 Investigator Grant Outcomes for the medical research institute sector

A new AAMRI analysis on the 2020 NHMRC Investigator Grant outcomes has shown the medical research institute sector had a success rate higher than the national success rate for the scheme. Read the full analysis on our website.

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

Three of AAMRI’s members have been awarded Snow Medical Fellowships, with more funding for biomedical research announced as new fellowships opened. 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.

Save the date – AAMRI 2020 Convention, 09 – 10 December 

The AAMRI 2020 Convention will take place on 9-10 December this year. It will be held at QT Canberra, more details to come as we launch our new revised format.

AAMRI Member Networks

AAMRI operates a variety of member networks in key business areas that discuss issues, share ideas and network at an annual event.

How to join our Networks

AAMRI’s staff networks connect professional staff at AAMRI member institutes with their counterparts to discuss common challenges and issues facing the medical research sector. There are currently ten active AAMRI staff networks – HR, Research Governance, Research Strategy, IT, Research Administration Officers (RAO), Philanthropy & Fundraising, Operations Network, Legal Counsel, Finance, and COVID-19. For information on AAMRI Networks, upcoming network events and how to join, visit the AAMRI website.

2.  Government update 

Consultations

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

The Royal Commissioners have announced that the deadline for general submissions to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will be at the close of business on Friday, 31 July 2020.

Productivity Commission alert: completion of inquiry into Mental Health

The release of the final report by the government is the next step in the process. Under the Productivity Commission Act 1998, the Government is required to table the report in each House of the Parliament within 25 sitting days of receipt.

3.  Sector news

Tech Central: Sydney to be home to the biggest technology hub of its kind in Australia

The NSW government has committed to facilitating 250,000 square metres of office space in the precinct which stretches several kilometres from Central Station to Camperdown, including South Eveleigh – read more.

Clinical trial ‘one-stop-shop process’

Announced in early June, the government will make it easier for researchers and companies to start up and run clinical trials by developing a new national one-stop-shop process. Working with state and territory governments, they will aim to reduce red tape and end duplication, making it easier to conduct clinical trials in Australia.

Appointments

• The Board of Directors of CSIRO has reappointed Dr Larry Marshall as Chief Executive for a further three years.

Funding announcements:

• $20m for Australia and India research collaborations in pandemic research and reduce plastics waste
• $9.3m awarded in WA research infrastructure funding
• $8.3m for four new research projects to tackle the threat of drug resistant tuberculosis and antimicrobial resistance in the Pacific region
• $5m for 34 university-led projects in WA
• $4m awarded to 39 projects aimed at indigenous, multicultural and vulnerable people
• $2m commitment to research and clinical trials for Motor Neurone Disease.

4.  NHMRC update

NHMRC Report: Measuring up 2018

Measuring up 2018 is a five-year bibliometric analysis of the scientific publication output of Australian health and medical research, focusing on research funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Public consultation on updated guidance on the radiological quality of drinking water

NHMRC is seeking public feedback on updated guidance that provides advice on the radiological quality of drinking water. Submissions will close 4pm (AEST) 12 August 2020.

FAQs on COVID-19 outbreak and NHMRC processes

These FAQs are intended to address frequently asked questions from NHMRC stakeholders about the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on applications for NHMRC funding, peer review, grant management and other NHMRC processes.

Grant Variations Policy

If grant holder’s circumstances have changed – for example, there has been a delay in Research Activity because of involvement in the clinical or public health response due to COVID-19 – RAOs can submit variation requests. More details on the NHMRC website.

5.  MRFF update

MRFF funding opportunities

We’ve made a handy table to help you keep track of what funding schemes are open and where to go for further information.

Upcoming MRFF opportunities:

• Coronavirus Research Response – 2020 COVID-19 Mental Health Research: $3 million is available under the MRFF Million Minds Mission. Closes 13 July 2020.
• Coronavirus Research Response – 2020 Rapid Response Digital Health Infrastructure: $4m is available closes 14 July 2020.
• Coronavirus Research Response – 2020 Communication Strategies and Approaches During Outbreaks: $600k is available closes 14 July 2020.
• The MRFF Frontier Health and Medical Research Program Stage Two: provides multi-disciplinary teams with up to $100 million to implement their novel and transformative research projects. Closes 14 July 2020.
• 2020 COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Research grant opportunity: Grants up to $3m total funding available $13.65m closes 15 July 2020.
• 2020 COVID-19 Immunological Studies Grant Opportunity: Grants up to $1m, total of $12m available closes 23 July 2020.

Funding announcements:

• $35.9m for 17 research projects in rare cancers, rare diseases and unmet medical needs as part of the MRFF Clinical Trials package
• $3m awarded to Indigenous health projects including Indigenous blindness, deafness and chronic kidney disease
• $29m for heart disease and stroke from the MRFF Cardiovascular Health Mission
• $21.8m for research projects in neurological disorders research
• $19m awarded for Artificial Intelligence health research projects from the MRFF
• $13.6m for ten clinical trials of treatments for melanoma, reproductive and gynaecological cancers and childhood brain cancer from the MRFF’s Clinical Trials package
• $12m has been awarded the for cardiovascular disease and stroke patients from the Cardiovascular Health Mission
• $5.9m awarded to eight research projects into incurable diseases
• $1m to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision for clinical trial of new therapies for bone marrow failure from the MRFF’s Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative

COVID-19 impacts on MRFF grants

If you have concerns, the MRFF ask you to contact the Grant Hub administering the relevant MRFF Grant Opportunity or Grant Agreement (NHMRC: help@nhmrc.gov.au or BGH: enquiries@industry.gov.au) to discuss the options available.

Register on GrantConnect to receive MRFF funding alerts

MRFF funding opportunities are advertised through GrantConnect. Make sure you register so you receive the latest funding updates.

6.  Other funding & award opportunities

Emergency Awards: SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Centers of Excellence

The purpose of the funding opportunity is to establish Serological Sciences Centers of Excellence with the goal of identifying and advancing research opportunities to characterise the immune responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. Closes July 23 2020.

Emergency Awards: Research Projects in SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences

The purpose of the funding opportunity is to establish Serological Sciences Research Projects with the goals of: identifying and advancing research opportunities to characterize the immune responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. Closes July 23 2020.

2021 CSL Centenary Fellowships

The Fellowships are high-value, long-term, competitively-selected grants available to outstanding midcareer Australians seeking to consolidate their career and undertake medical research (discovery and translational) at an Australian not-for-profit research institution. Two five-year fellowships are awarded each calendar year.  The total value of each award is A$1.25 million. Closes 31 July 2020.

ARDC – National Data Assets

Projects in the Australian Data Partnerships program create or develop high quality data collections that are national, have data that is consumed by researchers, policy makers, industry, NGOs from multiple organisations, and support leading edge research. Total funding is up to $5.6M, individual projects can apply for a total of up to $500k over two and a half years. EOIs close 31 July 2020.

First Nations-led research on COVID-19 – Call for research applications

The Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious diseaSe Emergencies (APPRISE) has received $2m funding from the Paul Ramsay Foundation for research into the preparedness for and impacts of COVID-19 on First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people and communities in Australia. Applications are encouraged for COVID-19 projects relating to a wide spectrum of research domains, more details on their website. Closes 11am (AEST) 03 August 2020.

2020 Health and Medical Research Awards

Members of Research Australia are now able to make their nominations across seven Award Categories: Peter Wills Medal; Griffith University Discovery Award; Philanthropy Award; Frontiers; Award Sponsored by Australian National University; Data Innovation Award; Health Services Award Sponsored by NSW Government; and Advocacy Award. Close 03 August 2020.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited– COCKPI-T® Funding 2020

In order to accelerate open innovation activities, Takeda leads an open grant competition program COCKPI-T® (Co-Create Knowledge for Pharma Innovation Takeda) where Takeda invites innovative research proposals corresponding to nominated Areas of Interest from researchers/companies and support them financially to confirm their research concepts. Funding is $100k per project including indirect costs. Closes 06 August 2020.

2020 Victorian Cancer Agency Funding Rounds

The Early Career Research Fellowships and Mid-Career Research Fellowship are both currently open. They both have a biomedical and non-biomedical research stream. Closes 2 pm AEST on 24 August 2020.

The Snow Fellowships

The Snow Fellowships target emerging global research leaders that show the potential to drive, manage and influence the next generation of health and medical innovation. Each Snow Fellowship is valued at up to $8 million over eight years. EOIs due 20 Sept 2020.

NHMRC-NIHR Collaborative Research Grant Scheme 2019 priorities for funding 2020 – Round 3

This scheme supports Australian participation and collaboration in leading international collaborative research through the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme. Total of $3m available over 5 years. Closes 20 November 2020.

7.  Reports and resources

MTPConnect COVID-19 Impact Report

The reports reveals the COVID-19 health crisis has had a significant negative impact across the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector, including startups, SMEs, large local and multinational companies, researchers, universities, service providers, industry organisations and investors.

Report: Walking the allergy tightrope

The House of Representatives Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee released its report into allergies and anaphylaxis in Australia. The report made 24 recommendations and can be viewed on their website.

New Report: Implementation of ANAO and Parliamentary Committee Recommendations — Education and Health Portfolios

The audit objective is to examine whether selected entities in the Health and Education portfolios implemented JCPAA and other parliamentary inquiry report recommendations and agreed ANAO performance audit recommendations.

Research Australia Report: COVID-19 How Australia’s health and medical research sector is responding

The report captures input from dozens of Research Australia members and provides useful insights into over 200 ongoing projects in which our incredible sector has engaged responding to this pandemic.

7.  Training, networking and courses

WLA Connect

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) has launched a brand new networking and learning hub called WLA Connect. The platform is designed for women to gather, network, share and learn about being a female leader in today’s working environment. Members are able to access events, learning materials and forums where they can collaborate with women from the health sector and beyond. Find out more on their website.

ARMS Winter School 2020: Advanced Clinical Research Program – 20-22 July (11am – 2pm AEST)

The Advanced Clinical Research Management elective will cover the challenges of managing multi-sites, multi-institutional projects including navigating research ethics, research governance, improving community and consumer engagement and building relationships with external funding bodies. AAMRI members will be entitled to ARMS rates. To register email arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au.