News and Events

International autism expert arrives in Perth for FHRI Fund Distinguished Fellowship 31 March 2026 Western Australia’s commitment to advancing autism research has received a major boost with the appointment of Associate Professor Mirko Uljarevic as the 2024–25 FHRI Fund Distinguished Fellow. A $3.4 million FHRI Fund Fellowship, co-funded with more than $1 million from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, will support a 5-year research program led by Associate Professor Uljarevic, who relocated from Stanford University to Perth. The program, Transforming the clinical pathway for children with autism: Using big data to improve outcomes, aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of autism screening, diagnosis, and care in WA. He is based at The Kids Research Institute and The University of Western Australia (UWA). Associate Professor Uljarevic is internationally recognised for his expertise in clinical and data science, with a track record of leading major research ...

New expertise joins FHRI Fund Advisory Council as Fund enters next phase 31 March 2026 Two new members have been appointed to the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Advisory Council as Western Australia’s flagship research and innovation fund moves into its next phase of delivery. The Minister for Medical Research, the Hon. Stephen Dawson, has appointed Professor Dan McAullay and Ms Marie Smyth for a two‑year term. Together, these appointments strengthen the Advisory ...

World Rare Disease Day: Fast tracking diagnosis for children with rare disease 27 February 2026 Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI)–funded research at The Kids Research Institute Australia is working to dramatically shorten the time it takes for children with rare disease to receive a diagnosis. Rare diseases collectively affect about 8 per cent of the population and are defined as conditions affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. In Western Australia alone, an estimated 63,000 chi...

Consultation open: help shape future FHRI Fund Spotlight topics for Western Australia 16 February 2026 The Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund is inviting Western Australian researchers, innovators, clinicians, consumers and members of the public to help shape future Spotlight Program topics. The Spotlight Program is the flagship initiative of the FHRI Fund Strategy 2025–30, bringing together Western Australia’s health and medical research and innovation sector to address one bold, un...

Clinician Research Fellowships launched through FHRI–Raine partnership 10 February 2026 Applications are now open for the Clinician Research Fellowships, an initiative of the WA Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund delivered in partnership with the Raine Medical Research Foundation. The program is designed to support clinicians employed by WA Health Service Providers to build their research capability while continuing clinical practice. It aims to facilitate high‑quality...