Spotlight on RHD 2025 Information Session: Recording and slides now available

The Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) recently hosted a virtual information session for the inaugural Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Spotlight Program, focusing on Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).

The session, led by Stacey Waters, provided an overview of the Spotlight Program’s objectives, application process, and the unique opportunity it presents for Western Australia’s health and medical research sector.

Attendees learned about the two-stage funding model—offering up to $25 million over five years—and the program’s emphasis on sector-wide collaboration, community engagement, and translational impact.

Key highlights included:

• The Spotlight Program is the flagship initiative of the FHRI Fund Strategy 2025–30, designed to address a major WA health challenge each year.
• The 2025–26 theme is RHD, a preventable but devastating condition disproportionately affecting Aboriginal people and communities across WA.
• The application process is now open, with Part A focusing on selecting a Spotlight Lead and developing a sector-driven action plan over nine months, supported by $1 million in funding.
• Successful applicants will then be eligible for up to $24 million over four years to implement their action plan in partnership with key stakeholders.
• The session also addressed frequently asked questions about eligibility, partnerships, budget, and the importance of translational research.

If you missed the session or would like to revisit the discussion, you can now access the slide deck and recording below.

For further information, including the application guidelines and FAQs, please visit Future Health Research and Innovation Fund - Spotlight 2025-26 Rheumatic Heart Disease or contact OMRI at doh.omri@health.wa.gov.au.

We encourage all prospective applicants to review these materials and consider applying for this extraordinary opportunity to help eliminate RHD in Western Australia.