NHMRC

Decade spotlight: 1920s 🕰️ The first ideas for a national approach to health research emerged in the 1920s. In 1927, Sir Earle Page called it a 'new phase in public health progress.' That vision still shapes our mission of building a healthy Australia today. Explore more of our history in the timeline on our website: ow.ly/Q3JX50ZjTTk

Our CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh and NHMRC staff members Sam Faulkner and Carly Taylor were delighted to attend the launch of First Knowledges: The Collection this NAIDOC Week. The series proposes a different way of understanding Australia, not as a young nation, but as one shaped by tens of thousands of years of intellectual, legal, scientific, artistic and ceremonial systems. More details on @ANTAR_National’s website: antar.org.au/shop/ Image from left to right: Sam Faulkner (Director, Indigenous Advice), the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC and Professor Steve Wesselingh (Chief Executive Officer, NHMRC).

What if we could treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) without relying only on insulin? For over 100 years, insulin has been the main treatment but it isn’t a cure. NHMRC-funded researcher Professor Thomas Kay (St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research) is exploring immunotherapies that target the disease itself, helping improve long term outcomes for people living with T1D.

NHMRC funded research is helping people stay alcohol free after treatment. Led by Professor Victoria Manning (Monash University), the team is testing a simple brain training tool shown to reduce urges to drink. developing ways to make it easier for services to offer this tool, this research could help more people stay alcohol free. By

To mark NHMRC’s 90th anniversary, Professor @CarolineHomer AO, NHMRC Chair joined the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) podcast to reflect on our legacy — and where we’re heading next. It’s a great listen if you’re interested in how research, policy and practice come together — and why that matters for all Australians. Find out more and listen here: ow.ly/3cri50ZkuSn

Tracker is out now! Get the latest on upcoming funding opportunities for researchers. In this edition, read about the National Health and Medical Research Strategy, grant opportunities for regional, rural and remote researchers and our Council Chair on MJA’s podcast. Head to our website: ow.ly/3Bol50ZktQT

In 2026, NAIDOC Week celebrates #50YearsOfDeadly, recognising the strength, culture and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NHMRC is proud to support projects led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander chief investigators, committing over $300 million over the past decade. Because community-led research starts with strong leadership.

A breast medical oncologist, Professor @LoiSher of @petermaccc is driven to find the next innovative treatment for breast cancer by harnessing the power of the immune system. Read more about the 2025 NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Awardee on our website: ow.ly/Xe6850ZjurE

In the NT, First Nations communities face the highest rates of kidney failure in Australia —but better prediction offers a path forward. Funded by an NHMRC 2025 Postgraduate Scholarship, Dr Dana Forcey (@MenziesResearch) is using the Territory Kidney Care database to improve how we predict chronic kidney disease risk and deliver better outcomes for First Nations Australians.

Throwback to 1939! 📸 Big decisions. Shared priorities. National impact. NHMRC’s 6th session in Adelaide in 1939 helped cement collaboration between Commonwealth and states—a foundation that still matters today. Some things don’t change—strong collaboration still drives better health outcomes. See more of NHMRC’s remarkable milestones in our historical timeline: ow.ly/r8WR50Zi0cN

Over the last 10 years, NHMRC has invested $36.6 million in research to better understand, prevent and treat PTSD, because every step forward brings hope for recovery and healing #PTSDAwarenessDay

This #NAIDOC Week, we’re celebrating #50YearsofDeadly, with Adam Heterick of @TheKids_AU and @OurANU for our July Speaking of Science. Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026 Time: 10:00AM – 11:00AM AEST Register on Microsoft Teams now: ow.ly/xQKO50Z3Hoq

The Regional, Rural and Remote Capacity Building Grant Opportunity 2026 is now open. This initiative supports leadership, mentoring and high-quality, place-based research to advance health equity for regional, rural and remote communities. Applications close on 16 September 2026 at 17:00 AEST. For further details, please visit our website: nhmrc.gov.au/funding/find-f….

Just announced! #NHMRC has released the funding outcomes from the 2025 Partnership Projects PRC2 grant opportunity. Read more about the projects funded on our website: ow.ly/upkA50ZfutO

Tracker is out now! In this edition, read about our upcoming Speaking of Science to mark NAIDOC week, new opportunities to access funding from Europe and a new Targeted Call for Research on women’s health. Head to our website: ow.ly/5YBv50Zf1rQ

On #GlobalMNDAwarenessDay, we’re highlighting Prof. Adam Walker from the University of Sydney and team who are exploring protein ‘clumping’ in Motor Neuron Disease (MND) and dementia—examining whether this process may actually protect nerve cells. This research could help unlock new treatments for these debilitating diseases.

NHMRC has won Gold at the 2026 Australasian Reporting Awards for our 2024–25 Annual Report. Huge effort from the team behind it. Congrats also to @DonateLifeToday on winning the Public Administration Award! Take a look: nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publi…

As the recipient of the 2025 NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award for Leadership in Health Services Research, Professor Karen Canfell AC hopes to improve elimination efforts for cervical cancer with a focus on low and middle income countries. Read more on our website: ow.ly/wHAj50Z6WYg

People with living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face higher bowel cancer risk—but new technology could improve early detection. Backed by a 2025 Postgraduate Scholarship, Dr Kyle Wu is exploring how AI and genetic testing can help spot changes earlier and guide targeted care #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth

Tracker is out now! In this edition, read about our application form question on benefits for Indigenous health, guidance on the use of identifiable images in grant applications, upcoming webinars and more. Head to our website: ow.ly/gVRz50Z9csG