$350 million investment to accelerate Western Australia’s health and medical research and innovation

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 FHRI Fund Strategy 2025–2030, which sets a clear, long‑term direction for how the Fund will strengthen Western Australia’s health and medical research and innovation system.

The Strategy focuses on building capability, enabling collaboration and accelerating translation – ensuring investment is targeted where it can deliver the greatest impact for Western Australians, while supporting the sustainability of the health system and contributing to the State’s economic prosperity.

The FHRI Fund Scheme Annual Investment Plan, published alongside the Strategy, provides transparency about how and when funding will be invested across FHRI Fund programs and initiatives each financial year, helping provide certainty to the sector and encourage co‑investment.

Targeting WA’s most pressing health challenges

A central feature of the FHRI Fund is the Spotlight Program, which targets one major, uniquely Western Australian health issue each year through multi‑year investment of up to $25 million per funding round.

This year’s Spotlight focuses on Rheumatic Heart Disease, a critical and ongoing public health challenge that disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The upcoming FHRI Fund Open Day – RHD Spotlight Awarded will mark the announcement of the successful Rheumatic Heart Disease Spotlight recipient, with a new Spotlight priority to be launched later this year.

Registrations for the hybrid FHRI Fund Open Day event are now open.

Building capability and impact

Through sustained and growing investment, the FHRI Fund is supporting a capable, connected and impact‑driven health and medical research and innovation ecosystem in Western Australia – one that is well placed to respond to local health needs while contributing nationally and globally.

The FHRI Fund Strategy 2025–30 has been shaped through consultation with researchers, industry leaders, the FHRI Fund Advisory Council, expert committees, innovators and consumers to ensure funding continues to be focused, strategic and outcomes‑driven.