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Monash wins $59m for research

22 October 2008

lab research

Monash University secured $59m in two separate Federal Government funding rounds last week with the announcement of the recipients of Australian Research Council (ARC) and National Health and Medical Research Council grants (NHMRC) grants.

The University received its highest ever NHMRC funding, with $32 million provided for 62 individual projects, including:

  • $1.8 million for research into the effect of Erythropoietin (EPO) on traumatic brain injury
  • $491,250 to research testicular development and disease
  • $312,500 to explore novel treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease
  • $556,500 for research into the impact of low oxygen supplies to the fetal brain
  • $900,825 for continuing medical education and feedback to alert diabetes population outcomes
  • $673,000 for a clinical trial in 180 postmenopausal women with schizophrenia using a selective estrogen receptor modulator
  • $531,000 to investigate whether mobile phones affect cognitive development in children
  • $682,875 to investigate the effect of light intervention on shift workers.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said the Federal Government's generous allocation was confirmation that Monash researchers excelled in the delivery of quality research outcomes.

"Our scientific and medical research teams are among the best in the world and it is encouraging for them to know their endeavours have the full support of the Federal Government and NHMRC," Professor Cornish said.

"The range of projects awarded funding reflects the diversity of research at Monash. We are active across a broad range of disciplines and that expertise has application to many industries."

The University also performed strongly in the Australian Research Council funding round, receiving a total of $26.7m for 90 separate projects.

The ARC funding is divided into four categories: Discovery, Linkage, Linkage International and Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development.

$6.1 million was secured in Linkage Projects enabling the University to work with organisations as diverse as health providers, government departments, law enforcement agencies, non government organisations, steel manufactures and the oil industry. Industry support of $12 million demonstrates the University's well-established partnerships.

Professor Cornish said the funding ensured Monash maintained its position as a hub of research excellence in tune with industry and government priorities.

"We have a strong team of gifted and dedicated researchers who have great vision and the ability to collaborate with each other and with industry to identify potential solutions to the challenges facing this and future generations," Professor Cornish said.

"The ARC funding will progress their work and will ultimately lead to research outcomes we hope will benefit communities not only in Australia, but across the world."

The 90 ARC funded projects, to be undertaken from next year, incorporate a wide range of disciplines including medical research, chemical and aerospace engineering, climate change investigation, information technology, history and education.

Funding allocated under the ARC Discovery Projects Proposal includes:

  • $883,000 for research into the specific roles of some proteins in the human body's immune system to develop approaches to control aspects of diabetes and transplant rejection in patients
  • $650,000 to develop portable pocket-sized devices for diagnostics and drug delivery
  • $750,000 to investigate treatments for the multi-billion dollar problem of corrosion in materials used in a range of applications from massive aircraft components to hip joints
  • $307,000 to continue research into stem cell treatments and a further $488,000 to fund research into stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury
  • $370,000 to explore why only some people develop allergies.

Monash University also received the highest single amount of funding of any university under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development program.