Joint media release with the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Hon. Mark Butler MP

The Australian Government will establish a stem cell research fund to boost research in a field that may hold the key to curing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) will administer a $21 million Special Research Initiative in Stem Cell Science that will further build Australia’s capacity to conduct stem cell research.

“This fund will keep our scientists at the forefront of this rapidly developing field, giving them the best chance to make life-changing breakthroughs,” said Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr.

“It will help stem cell researchers and institutes develop and maintain key national and international collaborations that are important for the advancement of stem cell science.

“Not only will successful recipients be conducting valuable research; they will also help inform the community about stem cell science and technologies,” Senator Carr said.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) will also invite applications for Centres for Research Excellence in Regenerative Medicine, encouraging leading medical researchers to undertake stem cell research with clinical applications.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler said that the support would boost Australia’s ability to turn regenerative medicine research into practical outcomes for patients.

“Grant recipients will use their funding not just to develop knowledge, but to make sure it gets from the laboratory to the treatment room,” Mr Butler said.
 
The ARC Special Research Initiative is now open for proposals. Funding will commence in July 2011 and be offered for up to seven years. For more information, visit www.arc.gov.au.
 
The NHMRC expects to seek proposals for Centres for Research Excellence, including those in regenerative medicine, in July. Funding will commence in 2011 and be offered for five years.

Applications for funding must be through an eligible Australian research institution.

Media contacts:  Patrick Pantano, Minister Carr's Office, 0417 181 936
                           Samantha Regione, Parl Sec Butler’s Office, 0418 112 688
                           Sheena Ireland, ARC, 0412 623 056
                           Simon Tidy, NHMRC, 0422 008 512