WA launches bold new strategy to drive health and medical innovation
Western Australia has unveiled the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Strategy 2025–30, setting a new direction for health and medical research across the state. This forward-looking strategy aims to fire up life changing health breakthroughs for Western Australia.
Developed through deep collaboration across the health, research and innovation sectors, the FHRI Fund Strategy 2025–30 reflects the collective vision of government, research institutions, innovation partners, and community stakeholders.
Insights from the FHRI Fund Advisory Council and the Health Executive Committee shaped its ambitious yet grounded goals.
Since its inception in 2020, the FHRI Fund has invested over $260 million in hundreds of initiatives, laying a strong foundation for this next chapter. The strategy now guides a long-term sovereign investment of $1.8 billion, marking a decisive shift from broad capacity-building to targeted, transformative impact.
The new strategy introduces 3 strategic themes:
- Connect and collaborate – fostering partnerships across health, research, and innovation communities.
- Accelerate and translate – boosting innovation and commercialisation in WA.
- Foundational confidence – strengthening the sector’s competitiveness through sustained support.
Each year, the FHRI Fund will commit to one major, uniquely Western Australian issue, supporting it over 5 years with targeted funding and support.
The Spotlight Program, the flagship initiative under the ‘connect and collaborate’ theme, will encourage researchers, innovators, and consumers to co-design solutions that build capacity and translate research into improved health care.
The strategy is grounded in the principle of ‘By WA, for WA’, recognising the state’s unique geography, population, and culture as a springboard for global leadership.
A robust measurement and monitoring framework, supported by the Department of Health and the Advisory Council, will ensure transparency and accountability.
The 2025-30 strategy is built with direct reference to the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund Act 2012, and designed to guide not only government investment decisions but also provide clarity, purpose and opportunity for researchers, clinicians, innovators, investors, and community partners.
It supports cutting-edge clinical trials, community-led research, and emerging technologies, creating a thriving ecosystem where ideas can flourish and translate into real-world impact.
With targeted investment and a strong focus on commercialisation, the strategy opens new pathways for discovery, collaboration, and career development.
Ultimately, the strategy is about long-term value for Western Australians – building a globally connected, sustainable research ecosystem.
Through collaboration and shared purpose, WA is poised to lead in global health innovation.
The FHRI Fund Advisory Council is considering future funding programs to align to the new strategy. Have your say on the type of funding programs you'd like to see.
View the Western Australian Future Health Research and Innovation Strategy 2025–30.