Brilliant but unfunded no more: Western Australia is stepping in where the nation’s top medical research body fell short, injecting $6.8 million into world-class health projects that nearly missed out. From cutting-edge childhood cancer treatments to breakthrough data tools for Aboriginal health, this bold initiative could reshape the future of medicine—while turning WA into a research powerhouse
Western Australia is set to witness a significant boost in health research and innovation with a new government-funded initiative aimed squarely at nurturing early and mid-career talent. The Cook Government recently announced a A$6.8 million allocation via the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund—a state government initiative originally established to spur economic diversification through research and development. This fresh wave of funding, channelled through the WA Near Miss Awards, is designed to support 45 researchers who have shown exceptional promise in national grant competitions yet found themselves sidelined when the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding pool was exhausted.
At its heart, the new funding round is a targeted response to a recurring challenge faced by many local researchers. High-quality proposals by WA scientists have, on occasion, achieved impressive scores in NHMRC assessments before missing out on awards solely due to fiscal constraints. The FHRI Fund now steps into that funding gap, providing these “near miss” projects with the resources needed to continue breaking new ground in health and medicine. The initiative is not only about sustaining careers at a critical juncture but also about strengthening Western Australia’s position as a hub for innovative research that can deliver significant societal and economic impacts.
One project that is set to benefit from the grant is led by Dr Akilew Adane from Murdoch University. In an ambitious bid to improve health and development outcomes for Aboriginal children, Dr Adane is working on constructing an extensive evidence database. This innovative project aims to offer health professionals robust data to help optimise health, developmental, and educational strategies tailored for Aboriginal communities. In a State and nation where Closing the Gap initiatives have long sought to address disparities in health and education, the evidence database could provide an essential tool for clinicians and policymakers to understand and improve the outcomes of Aboriginal children.
Another area of focus under this funding round is paediatric oncology. Dr Omar Elaskalani, from The Kids Research Institute Australia, is at the forefront of research into age-specific immunotherapy for childhood cancers. His work is set against a global backdrop where immunotherapeutic approaches are increasingly reshaping treatment paradigms for cancer. By tailoring therapies specifically to the unique physiology of young patients, Dr Elaskalani’s research aims to enhance the efficacy of treatments and improve survival outcomes, addressing a field where even incremental advances can have profound consequences for patients and their families.
The commitment by the FHRI Fund to allocate funding through programmes such as the Ideas Grants and Emerging Leaders initiatives for 2024–2025 stands as a testament to Western Australia’s ongoing efforts to nurture local talent. Historically, the FHRI Fund has been instrumental in underpinning research initiatives across the State since its establishment in 2018 under the McGowan Government. With an initial endowment aimed at diversifying the economy, the fund has consistently sought to translate innovative research into tangible outcomes—from better health solutions to new job opportunities that can drive local economic growth.
There is a clear recognition among policymakers that fostering early career researchers can yield rewards far beyond the realm of academic advancement. These grants have the potential to encourage further collaboration among institutions such as Murdoch University and industry specialists, as well as to empower researchers to translate their findings into commercial ventures. Such approaches not only boost individual careers but also underline a broader economic strategy: investing in research today can seed future enterprises that deliver both societal well-being and economic prosperity.
Dr Adane’s project reflects a broader commitment to addressing longstanding disparities in health outcomes among Aboriginal populations. Historically, initiatives aimed at closing health gaps have met with mixed success across Australia. However, by integrating rigorous data collection and analysis, researchers like Dr Adane are poised to bring a new level of evidence to the conversation—a level that could inform policy as well as improve everyday outcomes in community health and education services. This alignment with ongoing state priorities means the project may well become a cornerstone in efforts to better support one of Western Australia’s most vulnerable communities.
Similarly, advances in paediatric oncology are an area of growing international focus, with numerous countries exploring the potentials of immunotherapy. While global research advances continue at a rapid clip, local projects such as Dr Elaskalani’s ensure that Western Australia remains at the forefront of translating these discoveries into practice. By addressing age-specific challenges in cancer treatment, the research could lead to more effective, less aggressive therapies that are better suited to younger patients—a demographic whose long-term life quality hinges on both the efficacy and safety of their treatment regimens.
The economic implications of this funding round also warrant attention. In addition to the direct benefits of job creation in research laboratories and healthcare facilities, the commercialisation potential of breakthrough treatments and innovations promises to stimulate broader economic activity. Collaborations between academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and government agencies continue to underscore a future where research and innovation are intrinsically linked with the State’s economic development strategies.
Local research hubs such as Murdoch University have long been recognised for their contributions to both science and community welfare. The current grants reaffirm the institution’s role as a vital player in Western Australia’s research ecosystem, while also signalling continued support from the government to invest in high-calibre projects that might otherwise buckle under the weight of limited national funding pools. This system of support not only builds a safety net for promising projects but also sends a strong message to budding researchers that their innovative ideas will find fertile ground in WA.
As the FHRI Fund paves the way for these new projects, it also serves as an example of how state-level initiatives can complement national funding schemes. In a landscape where many researchers have faced the frustrating scenario of nearly successful funding applications, the FHRI Fund’s targeted approach ensures that promising ideas are not lost in the competitive race for limited resources. At a time when healthcare innovation is crucial to addressing both emerging and entrenched challenges, such safety nets are essential for maintaining a vibrant and dynamic research culture.
The benefits of this initiative are anticipated to be felt well beyond academia. As ongoing research translates into improved health outcomes, the resulting policies and practices will have a direct impact on community welfare, from more effective disease prevention strategies to enhanced healthcare accessibility. Whether through enhanced treatment protocols in paediatric oncology or improved support for Aboriginal child development, the projects funded in this round promise long-term dividends for both individuals and the broader community.
For those interested in exploring the full list of grant recipients and learning more details about the awarded projects, further information is available through the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund’s official funding outcomes webpage. As Western Australia positions itself at the nexus of health innovation and economic growth, this new round of grants underscores a vision where scientific discovery is embraced not only for its intellectual merits but also for its substantial contributions to social and economic well-being.
In an era where the nexus between healthcare, research, industry, and public policy grows ever more critical, these grants mark a continued commitment by the Government to not only invest in ideas that promise to change lives but also to ensure that Western Australia remains a vibrant locale for medical research and innovation.
