News and Events

$350 million investment to accelerate Western Australia’s health and medical research and innovation 13 May 2026 Western Australia’s health and medical research and innovation sector is set to benefit from a major uplift in long‑term investment, with almost $350 million available through the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund across the forward estimates from next financial year. The increased funding capacity strengthens the FHRI Fund’s ability to back high‑quality research, innovation and commercialisation activities that address Western Australia’s unique health challenges and deliver sustained benefits for the community. Since the Fund was established in 2020, more than $282 million has been awarded to over 810 recipients, supporting researchers, innovators and industry partners across the State and helping translate research into improved health outcomes for Western Australians. Delivering the FHRI Fund Strategy The expanded funding supports delivery of the FHR...

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 Spo...

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...