News and Events

FHRI Fund Open Day | RHD Spotlight Awarded – shaping the future of heart health in Western Australia 29 April 2026 The Office of Medical Research and Innovation’s (OMRI) upcoming Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Open Day will bring together the WA health and medical research community to hear the Minister for Medical Research announce the inaugural Spotlight on Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) recipient, as well as highlight new FHRI Fund programs and initiatives. The FHRI Fund Open Day - RHD Spotlight Awarded will be held on 4 June 2026 at the Perth Town Hall, 601 Hay Street, Perth, with in-person and online attendance options. In-person attendees are invited to a light breakfast and networking session from 8.30am, with official proceedings beginning at 9.30am. Online attendees can tune in from livestream from 9.30am to participate in the livestream. The Open Day is an opportunity for the sector to hear about key FHRI Fund updates and upcoming opportunities aligned to the Fund&r...

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 reloca...

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...