Australian research receives A$125 mn funding boost

In a bid to further boost research and development, Australian government has announced afresh series of funding for the country's research activities. The National Health and Medical Research Council funding of A$125.3 million ($95.9 million) includes almost A$39 million to fight multiple types of cancer facing children and adults.

Announcing the grants at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Melbourne, Australian Minister for Health, Mr Greg Hunt has said that his government's backing of the country's researchers and scientists will help them to make the next major medical breakthrough.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in is one of the institutions receiving new funding and received A$13.2 million to continue its research into cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Apart from this, the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute will receive almost A$20 million to develop the tools needed to eliminate tropical disease , an issue that is still of particular importance and relevance in Queensland, where the center is located.

Mr Hunt said: "These are just a small, but very impressive, snapshot of the 110 projects and 232 researchers that will share in $125.3 million. The five-year grants will enable highly experienced researchers to work together to tackle difficult problems in health and medicine.

"As Health Minister, I am committed to building the world's best health system right here in Australia," he added. With almost $43 million in new grants, medical research in New South Wales is receiving a major boost - with a particularly strong focus on cancer treatments and neuroscience. Other grants are aimed at furthering research into hepatitis C, mental health, cardiac arrests and more therapy areas.