1. AAMRI news

AAMRI Research Impact Working Group secures Ian Potter Foundation grant

The AAMRI Research Impact Working Group, which is comprised of Children’s Medical Research Institute, Mater Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Telethon Kids Institute and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, recently secured funding from the Ian Potter Foundation to develop a framework for identifying and measuring research impact in medical research institutes. The working group will be responsible for driving the project, with advice from a wider advisory group. The Working Group are currently seeking a researcher to work on the project (applications close 5pm, 3 August 2018).

AAMRI Networks

AAMRI Networks connect professional staff working at medical research institutes, providing a forum for ongoing, open discussion and sharing of ideas among institutes. Professional staff often face common challenges that are specific to medical research institutes. Each network organises an annual networking event to meet in person. If you’d like to know more and join the network relevant to you can read more on our website.

AAMRI IT Workshop 2018

Registrations for the Annual AAMRI IT Workshop are now open. There’s a limit of 45 registrations, so get in quick. Similar to last year, members have the option to attend one day or both days of the workshop.

2.  Government and policy update 

Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative to be rolled out nationally

A national alliance of state and territory health departments has been launched to lower the nation’s preterm birth rate. It will be based on the WA Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative, launched in 2014.

Consultations

Draft Modules for ‘Guidelines for Guidelines’

Comments are invited on a series of modules that aim to provide advice and guidance on how to write health guidelines in accordance with Australia’s Standards. Closes on 18 July 2018.

Research and Development Tax Incentive

Comment is invited on amendments to the Research and Development Tax Incentive. It aims to improve its affordability and to implement a clinical trials exemption. Closes on 26 July 2018.

Sales of Share for Charitable Purposes Exemption

Comments are sought on the proposed amendment that removes the requirement for the distribution of proceeds from the sale of shares in the same financial year. Closes 31 July 2018

Income tax: the ‘in Australia’ requirement for certain deductible gift recipients and income tax exempt entities

Comments on a draft ruling by the Commisoner on ‘in Australia’ requirements are due by 10 August 2018

Parliamentary inquiries

Select Committee on Charity Fundraising in the 21^st Century

On 19 June the Senate established the Select Committee on Charity Fundraising in the 21st Century to inquire and report on the current framework of fundraising regulation for charities and options for reform. The closing date for submissions is 6 August 2018.

3. NHMRC & ARC updates

2018 Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research

The NHMRC, Universities Australia and the ARC have announced Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018 (the 2018 Code) and Guide to Managing Potential Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (the Investigation Guide). Medical Research Institutions have until 1 July 2019 to meet the requirements of the code.

NHMRC announced the winners of its 2018 Research Excellence Awards 

Twenty of Australia’s finest health and medical researchers have been honoured at the NHMRC’s annual Research Excellence Awards in Canberra. Among those honoured are Dr Lisa Whop, from the Menzies School of Health Research, receiving the Rising Star Award and Associate Professor James Bourne, from ARMI, receiving the Marshall and Warren Award.

Review for robust ANZSRC research classification

The ARC has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Bureau of Statistics for a review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification.

4.  MRFF update

Major MRFF milestone reached as Government injects $2.3 billion into the Fund 

The MRFF has now reached $9.5 billion after the Government injected $2.3 billion into the fund on 10 July, 2018. Now at $9.5 billion, the MRFF is on track to reach its $20 billion dollar target. Check out all the latest information about the MRFF at the AAMRI website.

Online Submissions Open for MRFF Priorities Consultation Discussion Paper

The Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) has begun consulting on the new MRFF Priorities which will take effect from November this year. This consultation will inform the development of the second set of MRFF Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities from 2018-2020. The discussion paper is now available for comment, and public forums will be held in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth – Register here. Comments must be received by 31 August 2018.

5.  Sector news

First international hub for the Human Vaccines Project opening WA

The Telethon Kids Institute has accepted an invitation to be part of the Human Vaccines Project, and will be the only site dedicated to children. As such, it will lead the paediatric component of this important global research when it moves into its new home at the Perth Children’s Hospital.

Visa for innovation

An additional visa pathway was introduced on 1 July called the Global Talent Scheme. This visa pathway can be used should an applicant not be able to utilise other standard visa pathways, including the TSS visa. There are two streams to the visa, and the one relevant to MRIs is the Established Business Stream.

Funding updates:

• NSW budget: a total of $115m in 2018‑19 invested in medical and scientific innovations. This includes $15m for cardiovascular disease research capacity development and $5m to support treatment of childhood cancer and other diseases
• $55m from the NSW Government in mental health initiatives, including research projects to increase understanding and contribute to the development of initiatives that improve workplace mental health
• $33m granted to rare cancer and rare disease research
• $8.5m for Digital Health Test Beds program, involving 15 projects that will utilise information from a consenting patient’s My Health Record to improve the delivery of their healthcare.
• $7m to support states and territories to redesign clinical trial systems to make it easier for researchers and companies to conduct clinical trials
• $50m over five years in Queensland to continue to expand innovative programs under the Advance Queensland initiative, including dementia research
• $3.2m for the Butterfly Foundation’s new pilot project in Queensland to improve the treatment and care of people with eating disorders
• $2.4m granted to the University of Tasmania’s Centre for Excellence in Rural and Regional Health in Burnie
• $2m in funding to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation to prevent and better treat cerebral palsy
• $1.2m in WA Node of MTPConnect, the hub is in partnership with MTPConnect and The University of Western Australia

Appointments:

• Professor Thomas (Tom) Walley CBE MD FRCP has been announced as the successor to outgoing HMRI Director Professor Michael Nilsson. Professor Walley will officially commence his post in early November, In the interim, the Director’s role will be filled by HMRI Research Council Chair Laureate Professor Paul Foster.
• Professor Steve Petrou has been appointed Director of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Professor Petrou succeeds Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO in the role.

6.  Reports and resources

Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy

The Strategy, subtitled “Safe, Seamless, and Secure: evolving health and care to meet the needs of modern Australia” is the product of consultation and co-production with patients, consumers and carers – and the healthcare professionals, industry, organisations and innovators who serve them. It draws on evidence of clinical and economic benefit from many sources within Australia and overseas. A framework for action was also released.

Recent reports and resources:

• Science of mitochondrial donation and related matters – released on 27 June 2018
• Going Digital to deliver a healthier Australia – the report was developed after an expert roundtable initiated by the Consumers Health Forum and The George Institute for Global Health
• Embryo Research Licensing Committee Publications and Reports to Parliament– September 2017-February 2018 report
• Boosting Dementia Research Initiative – the $200m report has revealed a series of Australian projects now underway to combat dementia.

From the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

• People using aged care
• People’s care needs in aged care 
• MyHealthyCommunities: Health risk factors 2014–15
• MyHealthyCommunities: Overweight and obesity rates across Australia, 2014–15
• MyHealthyCommunities: Tobacco smoking rates across Australia 2014–15
• MyHealthyCommunities: MBS GP and specialist attendances and expenditure in 2016–17

7.  Funding & award opportunities

Closing soon

• Girls in STEM Toolkit – 12 July 2018
• NHMRC: Targeted call for research into debilitating symptom complexes attributed to ticks – 25 July 2018.
• 2018 Research Australia Health and Medical Research Awards – 23 July 2018.
• NHMRC: Boosting Dementia Research Grants Scheme Priority Round 4 – 25 July 2018
• CSL seeking 2019 fellowship applicants  – 31 July 2018

NHMRC: Targeted Call: Rare Cancers and Rare Diseases

This competitive grant opportunity will provide support for publicly funded clinical trials that address areas of health burden and unmet need, such as rare cancers and rare diseases. Minimum data closing 5pm (AEST), 01 August 2018

NHMRC: Targeted Call for Healthy Ageing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

This TCR aims to provide funding for rigorous, culturally-informed research into improving the health and experiences of ageing in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Minimum data closing 5pm (AEST), 15 August 2018

Australia-Harvard Fellows

The Australia-Harvard Fellowship takes the form of a donation to a qualified Australian institution and covers the cost of travel and subsistence, allowing an Australian researcher to bring a Harvard counterpart to this country for lengthy scientific collaboration. Closing date September 10, 2018.

Snowdome Foundation: Call for translational research grant applications in blood cancer

The Snowdome Foundation is partnering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to fund two US$600,000 translational research grants. Snowdome’s mission is to accelerate next-generation treatments for Australian blood cancer patients. Applicants must submit their Letter of Intent by 31 August 2018, closing date 5pm (ACT local time) 12 September 2018.

Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases  – applications open 

The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) fifth call for applications is now open. The call focuses on scaling-up evidence-based interventions at the population level for the prevention or management of hypertension and/or diabetes. Applications close on 10 September 2018.

Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy Domestic PhD scholarships (3)

This includes one PhD scholarship, one Master of Research Year 2 plus PhD Bundle Scholarship and one Master of Research Year 2 Top Up Scholarship. All offered on a full-time basis. Closes 31 October 2018

NHMRC-European Union Collaborative Research Grants scheme

The NHMRC-EU Collaborative Research Grants scheme provides a contribution to Australian institutions and researchers who are participating in leading international collaborative research that has been selected for funding through Horizon 2020. Closes 5pm (ACT Local time) 30 October 2019.

Advanced Manufacturing Early Stage Research Fund (AMESRF)

The AMESRF is a four-year $4 million funding initiative designed to boost innovation, skills and employment in advanced manufacturing. The intent is to support small-scale and pilot research projects in advanced manufacturing, and benefit smaller firms and early stage research. Applicants can submit an EOI at any time throughout the year.

National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy

The NCRIS program aims to catalyse and support a national network of research infrastructure projects, closing date 12pm (ACT local time) 30 June 2023

8.  Events, conferences & training opportunities

Save the date: AAMRI Annual Convention, 26 & 27 November 2018

More details to come.

Conference

Last chance to save on early bird registration for AusBiotech 2018

Register before Friday 13 July to save $200 on registration to AusBiotech 2018, to be held in Brisbane from the 31 October to 2 November.

Imaging@Brisbane 2018

Imaging@Brisbane 2018 is hosted by seven major research centres involved across three significant multi-modal medical imaging facilities located in Brisbane. 22 – 24 August 2018.

Training

Introduction to health economic evaluation – 03 August 2018, Sydney

Hosted by Macquarie University, this course will introduce attendees to key concepts used in the economic evaluation of health care interventions and programs, and how this information can inform policy decisions.

Designing Economic Evaluations Alongside Clinical Trials – 18 September 2018, Sydney

Run in collaboration with The University of Melbourne and hosted by Macquarie University, this one-day course will provide an overview of cost effectiveness analysis and examples of economic evaluations that have been conducted of trials.

Incorporating Health Economics Into Grant Applications – 19 September 2018, Sydney

Run in collaboration with The University of Melbourne and hosted by Macquarie University, this course will provide an overview of the health economics components that go into grant proposals and provide practical assistance in writing the health economics paragraphs of the grant.

Opportunities

ON national accelerator program – CSIRO

Applications for ON Prime – a pre-accelerator, designed to help research teams take their ideas to the next level – are currently open. Run over eight weeks (five face-to-face sessions in total), participants will test paths for their IP, know-how or technology through a process of customer discovery and market validation. Closes Friday, 13 July.