The Allan Labor Government is propelling local researchers toward groundbreaking medical advancements with new grants supporting world-leading research projects in Victoria and beyond.
Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll visited Sunshine Hospital earlier this week to announce the latest recipients of the Labor Government’s Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund (VMRAF).
With a $2.9 million investment through the VMRAF, the Government is backing early-stage research and accelerating projects to achieve real-world impacts, improving health outcomes both locally and globally.
Grants of up to $100,000 are awarded to early-stage innovative research projects with potential for future practical applications, while grants of up to $500,000 assist researchers in translating their findings into clinical or healthcare settings.
Ten projects across eight institutions have received grants, including Western Health’s maternal care research team, who will run a clinical trial to test an antibiotic for treating Amniotic Fluid Sludge (AFS) – a significant contributor to preterm births.
Each year in Australia, 28,000 infants are born preterm, which can be extremely stressful for new parents. Thanks to the VMRAF grant, Western Health’s research could help more babies reach full term, ensuring a safe and healthy start to their lives.
Since its inception in 2017, the VMRAF has invested over $22 million to advance Victoria’s medical research sector, supporting 123 research projects and fast-tracking results so that more patients can receive life-changing treatment.
The Labor Government’s investment of more than $1 billion in medical research since 2015 has established Victoria as a global leader in medical research, with a workforce of over 30,000 driving significant breakthroughs in treatment and patient care.
Further boosting the state’s sector, Victoria has recently secured over 40 percent of the Commonwealth’s medical research funding for the ninth consecutive year – more than any other state.
For more information on the fund and a list of recipients, visit djsir.vic.gov.au/vmraf
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