NHMRC

Not all children have equal access to dental care and early tooth decay can affect health for life. The Bridging the Gap project, led by Associate Professor Sobia Zafar of uq_news is partnering with CALD communities to co design culturally safe, equitable dental care for children #WorldOralHealthDay

Associate Professor James Breen of @ouranu is leading an NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence aiming to establish pathways to develop and use new tools in the healthcare system to reduce health disparities and ultimately help close the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes #NationalCloseTheGapDay

NHMRC Ideas Grant recipient, Dr Carlie Cullen of @uq_news aims to learn how brain insulation contributes to cognitive function and whether inappropriate insulation during brain formation could underpin symptoms associated with neurodevelopmental disorders #NeurodiversityWeek #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NCW

#NHMRC funded researchers can apply to work with European research teams for up to a year during their grant period. More information can be found on NHMRC’s website: ow.ly/JJZa50Yv56v

Tracker is out now! In this edition, read about upcoming grant opportunities, our next Speaking of Science webinar and a reminder to update your Sapphire profile. Head to our website: ow.ly/JIHt50YuxaH

Research from 2025 Ideas Grant recipients Dr Melinda Hardy & Dr Jessica Harte (@WEHI_research) is exploring how T cells, which normally help fight infection, can become “exhausted” by gluten exposure and lose function, contributing to autoimmune disease. This research could help guide new treatments for coeliac disease and other autoimmune conditions #CoeliacAwarenessWeek

Insomnia affects 10–15% of people worldwide, yet fewer than 1% access recommended first line treatment. 2025 Investigator Grant recipient Dr Hannah Scott of Flinders University is using sleep technologies to identify the causes of insomnia and support more tailored, effective treatment at scale #WorldSleepDay

Who is shaping the future of Australian medicine right now? Nominations for the 2026 GSK Award for Research Excellence are now open. Across the country researchers undertake vital and rigorous work every day, often behind-the-scenes, transforming disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The GSK Award for Research Excellence recognises and celebrates their contributions. If someone in your world is pushing boundaries, challenging thinking or advancing patient care, this is your chance to put their name forward. Nominate your peer today: forms.office.com/r/LgDnuW8Kej If you’ve nominated before, consider who should be next. #GSKARE #GSKAustralia

Led by local health scientists and co-designed with local input, place-based research can help build healthier regional, rural and remote communities. Learn about NHMRC initiatives to support geographical health equity: ow.ly/qn1w50YbgHq

NHMRC’s vision is a health and medical research sector that is equitable, gender inclusive, and enriched by diversity. Read more on the actions NHMRC has taken towards gender equity on our website: ow.ly/jsSc50YlF25 #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #GiveToGain

One Aussie is diagnosed with melanoma every every 30 mins. This #MelanomaMarch we’re highlighting 2025 Postgraduate Scholarship recipient Dr Farzana Zaman (@MonashUni), who is researching ways to improve T cell receptor based therapies for melanoma and better identify patients who are most likely to respond to these treatments

Ahead of #WorldOralHealthDay, NHMRC is hosting Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO @unimelb for Speaking of Science. Date: Monday 23 March 2026 Time: 11:00AM – 12:00PM AEDT Register on Microsoft Teams now: ow.ly/MqKm50Yiu95

Calling Indigenous artists and creatives! NHMRC is inviting Expression of Interests to commission new artwork to feature across our communications and to support the launch of NHMRC’s new Reconciliation Action Plan. EOIs close on 25 March 2026. For details, including the full RFQ please email: communications@nhmrc.gov.au We’d love your help spreading the word – so please share with your networks.

New research led by A/Prof @JonathanHallett (@curtinuni) is investigating whether HPV vaccination can reduce anal cancer risk in older gay, bisexual, queer men and non binary people who have sex with men, with the aim of strengthening HPV prevention and inform vaccination policy #InternationalHPVAwarenessDay

Tracker is out now! In this edition, read our recent joint ARC and NHMRC CEO statement on research integrity in Australia, upcoming grant opportunities information and check our details on our next Speaking of Science webinar Head to our website: ow.ly/NA9Z50YnQnw

Congratulations to NHMRC funded researcher @ProfSharonLewin (Director, @TheDohertyInst) who delivered the opening Bernard Fields Lecture at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Read more: ow.ly/f0e450YmfA3

70% of rare diseases begin in childhood. Though each affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people, most are genetic—and diagnosis delays can mean missed treatment opportunities. New NHMRC funded research led by Prof Zornitza Stark (@MCRI_for_kids) aims to deliver rapid genomic diagnoses in just hours—improving outcomes for critically ill kids and informing future policy and practice. #RareDiseaseDay2026

With funding supported through an NHMRC Ideas Grant, Dr Jing Jing Wang of Flinders University worked with multiple international teams of researchers to identify what causes vaccine induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. Interested to know more? These groundbreaking results have been reported on in @NEJM: ow.ly/G1q250Ymbrh

Our Speaking of Science webinar on innovations in glaucoma treatment is available to watch now! Watch and listen as Professor Dao-Yi Yu AM (The Lions Eye Institute) discusses the decades of NHMRC supported research that ultimately led to the development of the XEN® Glaucoma gel stent, reshaping glaucoma surgery worldwide: ow.ly/moyJ50YlHHZ

Professor Carol Hodgson, (@chodgsonANZICRC) Co-Director of @anzicrc at Monash University, is a specialist intensive care physiotherapist and clinical trialist, focusing on long term outcomes after critical illness. 'Treating patients at their most vulnerable is a real privilege I’ve never taken for granted.' Watch our interview with Professor Hodgson on our website: ow.ly/1qi650YbkFA