WA Launches $3.5 Million Medical Research Grant Pool to Tackle Critical Health Issues

Key Highlights:

• $3.5M in funding available via partnership between WA’s FHRI Fund and The Hospital Research Foundation
• Grants target preventative health and personalised medicine breakthroughs
• Priority given to regional, Aboriginal, and culturally diverse communities
• Fellowships open now; personalised medicine program to follow in late 2025

In a decisive move to bolster innovation in healthcare, the Cook Government has announced a $3.5 million medical research funding pool aimed at empowering Western Australian researchers to tackle some of the State’s most pressing health challenges.

The initiative is a co-funding partnership between the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group, with each party contributing $1.75 million. The grants will be distributed under the FHRI Fund’s Co-Funding Partnerships Program (Co-FPP) and are designed to stimulate innovation in two key areas: preventative health and personalised medicine.

Applications are now open for the Preventative Health Fellowship, which is geared toward early to mid-career researchers. This fellowship prioritizes health outcomes for regional and remote communities, Aboriginal populations, and culturally and linguistically diverse groups across WA—segments often underserved in traditional healthcare research pipelines.

A second funding stream, the Innovations in Personalised Medicine Program, will open later in 2025 and focus on precision treatments for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. The program aims to support breakthroughs that move beyond one-size-fits-all healthcare approaches, with a growing emphasis on tailored therapies.

“This funding reflects our commitment to backing local researchers with bold ideas that directly impact the lives of Western Australians,” said Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson. “We’re taking a significant step toward improving outcomes for those who need it most.”

Since its establishment in 2020, the FHRI Fund has awarded over $215 million to more than 655 recipients, making it one of the most impactful funding bodies in the state’s medical research ecosystem.

Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of early intervention. “We know that preventing health issues before they occur eases the long-term burden on our healthcare system. This initiative not only supports discovery—it supports smarter, more efficient care.”

Researchers interested in applying can find detailed eligibility criteria and submission guidelines via The Hospital Research Foundation Group’s website.

As WA continues to position itself as a national leader in health innovation, this funding pool represents a timely and strategic investment in both the State’s scientific talent and the health of its diverse communities.