Research Australia

This week's Federal Budget delivered some important wins for Australia's health and medical research sector — but there's more work to do.

Swipe through for our take on what was announced, what it means, and what still needs to happen. 👉

🔗 Read our full response: https://researchaustralia.org/category/news/

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 🏆

Take a moment this weekend — is there someone in your network whose work deserves recognition?

A colleague driving change, an emerging researcher, a leader making an impact?

Nominations for the Research Australia Awards close tomorrow!

👉 If someone comes to mind, there’s still time to nominate them.
🔗 https://researchaustralia.org/awards/nominations-2/

👩‍🔬 INSPIRE | Issue 38 is out now!

This edition of INSPIRE spotlights the future of Australia’s health and medical research and innovation workforce, examining the people, skills and systems driving discovery, innovation and better health outcomes. As workforce pressures intensify across the sector, we explore both the achievements of this highly skilled community, and the challenges it faces.

We extend our sincere thanks to our valued member contributors for sharing their insights and expertise: Australian Health Research Alliance, ARCS Australia, The Australian National University, Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC), Calvary Health Care, CQUniversity Australia, Deakin University, Digital Health CRC, Emergency Medicine Foundation, GSK, Her Heart, Luminesce Alliance, Monash University, Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI, Shake It Up Australia Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Southern Cross University, The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, Translational Research Institute, University of Technology Sydney and VCCC Alliance.

We hope this edition of INSPIRE encourages you to consider what is possible when we invest in and support the people who drive research and innovation. Enjoy reading.

📖 Read INSPIRE Issue 38: https://researchaustralia.org/inspire-magazine/

Deadline extended — final chance to nominate for the Health and Medical Research Awards.

We know it’s a busy time of year, and we’ve heard from many of you who were keen to submit but needed a little more time.

Nominations for the 2025-26 Health and Medical Research Awards have now been extended to Monday 4 May 2026.

If you’ve been thinking about nominating a colleague, team or organisation making an outstanding impact, now is the time.

📢 Applications for Research Australia and AbbVie’s 2026 Future Health Leaders Program are now open!

The Future Health Leaders Program brings together a group of female Year 11 students for a full-day session in Canberra this October to:
🔬 Inspire students to continue their STEM education and become leaders in the field
🏥 Demonstrate the pathways and real-world impacts of a career in health and medical research
💭 Connect with exceptional female leaders in research, education, clinical roles, policy and industry, including a formal reception at Parliament House
🌐 Get hands-on experience at CSIRO

We encourage you to share this post with your networks and colleagues. If you have any Future Health Leaders in your own life, tell them to apply to the program today!

📝 Start your application today: https://futurehealthleaders.scholarshipsplatform.com/

Applications are open until 31 May 2026

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵🏆

Clyde Campbell AM received the 2024 Peter Wills Medal, Research Australia’s highest honour, for his leadership in driving Parkinson’s research and global collaboration.

His story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s determination can create lasting impact.

Every Peter Wills Medal recipient started with a nomination.
👉 Who comes to mind?
🏆 Nominations close 24 April
🔗 https://researchaustralia.org/mr-clyde-campbell-am-2024-peter-wills-medal/

𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 🔬

Scientia Professor Justin Gooding received the Frontiers Award in 2022 for helping develop breakthrough 3D bioprinting technology now used globally to model human tissue and accelerate drug development.

This is the kind of innovation at the frontiers of research and industry recognised by the Research Australia Health and Medical Awards.

👉 Know someone driving breakthrough innovation?
Nominate them for a Frontiers Award.

🔍 Read more about Professor Gooding’s work: https://researchaustralia.org/scientia-professor-justin-gooding-2022-frontiers-awards/
🏆 Nominations now open
⏰ Closing 24 April
🔗 Submit a nomination: https://researchaustralia.org/awards/nominations-2/

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 🧠

In 2024, Dr Mustafa Atee received the Discovery Award for developing PainChek®, a world-first AI-enabled tool that helps detect pain in non-verbal adults, including those living with dementia.

Now used in more than 1,800 aged care homes globally, the technology has supported over 6 million pain assessments, improving care and quality of life for patients.

Since receiving the award, Dr Atee has continued to expand his research, securing new funding and building international collaborations.

🔍 Read Dr Atee story: https://researchaustralia.org/dr-mustafa-atee-2024-discovery-award/
🏆 Nominations for the Research Australia Awards are open
⏰ Closing 24 April 2026
🔗 Submit a nomination: https://researchaustralia.org/awards/nominations-2/

🌍 World Health Day 2026

Together for health. Stand with science.

From discovery to real-world impact, science underpins better health outcomes and a stronger, more resilient economy.

At Research Australia, we see the impact of research every day, supporting better care, informing policy, and strengthening our health system.

This World Health Day, we’re proud to stand with the researchers, clinicians and innovators turning evidence into action.

🔬 Back science
🤝 Support research
🌏 Build a healthier future