WA researchers secure more than $10.9 million in national funding with FHRI Fund support
Western Australian researchers and innovators supported through the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund’s Major Research and Innovation Application Support program have secured more than $10.9 million in nationally competitive funding.
The outcomes demonstrate the role of the Major Research and Innovation Application Support program in helping WA researchers and innovators compete for major external funding opportunities, build local capability and attract additional investment into the State.
Four recipients who received in-principle support through the program have gone on to secure external funding through nationally competitive grant programs, leveraging $3,941,042.71 in Major Research and Innovation Application Support funding into $10,942,525 in national funding for WA.
The Major Research and Innovation Application Support program provides in-principle cash commitments to WA researchers and innovators applying to nationally or internationally competitive external grant funding programs. Support is awarded through a competitive and merit-based process, with successful applicants provided with a letter of support to strengthen their external grant applications.
The successful recipients are:
Archa Fox — ROBUST
Archa Fox received $999,503 through Major Research and Innovation Application Support Round 2 and went on to secure $3,968,803 through the Medical Research Future Fund National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative.
The ROBUST program — RNA Optimisation for Biological Utility and Stability — aims to address challenges in RNA medicine by improving the design, structure and stability of RNA-based medicines. The program will establish research and development capabilities that can support a pipeline of RNA design projects and provide open-access platforms for research groups across Australia.
The project will draw on advanced computational methods, including AI models, cryogenic-electron microscopy, cellular condensates and alternative mRNA formats such as circular RNA. It will build on the work of the Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer and the RNA Innovation Foundry, helping position Australia as a leader in RNA science.
Ryan Lister — WA Centre for Cell and Genome Engineering
Ryan Lister received $992,590.28 through Major Research and Innovation Application Support Round 2 and went on to secure $2,998,722 through the Medical Research Future Fund National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative.
The WA Centre for Cell and Genome Engineering will use CRISPR technology to advance medical research in Western Australia, including high-throughput screening and the development of precision-edited cellular models to study disease, identify disease-causing genes and mutations, discover new drug targets and improve therapies.
Building on research strengths at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and The Kids Research Institute Australia, the centre will provide local access to advanced genome editing and cell engineering technology, supporting new diagnostics, treatments and personalised therapies for Western Australians.
Timothy Jones — RAPID-D
Timothy Jones received $998,949.43 through Major Research and Innovation Application Support Round 3 and went on to secure $2,975,000 through the Medical Research Future Fund National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative.
The RAPID-D Research Accelerator Platform for Innovation and Discovery — Diabetes aims to transform how diabetes research is conducted in Australia by creating next-generation research infrastructure, initially focused on paediatrics with capacity to expand to adult populations and across Type 1, Type 2 and rarer forms of diabetes.
The platform will use AI, advanced analytics, synthetic privacy-preserving data, digital phenotyping, genomic analysis and predictive modelling to help researchers identify patterns that are difficult to detect through traditional methods. The project includes an applied-research pilot using AI to predict complications and optimise treatment in youth diabetes.
Neurotologix — commercialisation of the ROMI system
Led by Kate Lewkowski, Neurotologix received $950,000 through Major Research and Innovation Application Support Round 4 and went on to secure a $1.95 million Brandon BioCatalyst CUREator+ grant.
The funding will support commercialisation of the ROMI system for capturing vertigo and dizziness symptoms. Developed by Neurotologix, the system is described as the world’s first integrated IoT Class IIa video nystagmography diagnostic system, with potential to change how dizziness and vertigo are diagnosed.
The project will support scale-up and international business development activities to help Neurotologix progress towards launch in Australian and European markets, generate first national sales and support subsequent international commercialisation.
Together, these outcomes show how targeted FHRI Fund support can help WA researchers and innovators strengthen major external grant applications and attract significant national investment into the State.
The FHRI Fund congratulates the successful recipients and looks forward to seeing these projects build research and innovation capability, support collaboration and contribute to improved health outcomes for Western Australians.
Applications for MRIAS Round 10 are now open, continuing to support WA researchers to compete successfully on the national and international stage.