PM announces coronavirus grant opportunity
Backing important coronavirus research, the Morrison Government today visited the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
The Morrison Government is fast tracking $2 million in funding to support Australia’s best researchers as they work to understand and respond to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19.
"We are going to be putting that money into a competitive program to find a vaccine," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters.
"There are many research projects that are going on around the world to do this very task, and Australia is going to play its part in that process."
Following a meeting of leading Australian researchers last week, the Government is providing the funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for an open and competitive Grant Opportunity to develop a coronavirus vaccine.
This Grant Opportunity, announced by Prime Minister Morrison and Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt, will complement the world-leading work already undertaken by the Doherty Institute, CSIRO and University of Queensland and their collaboration.
The ability to swiftly react to emerging health issues is a key strength of the MRFF, which was established in 2015 to support health and medical research and innovation for the benefit of all Australians, said Mr Morrison.
Research plays a critical role in ensuring Australia maintains its world-class health system and is particularly important as the world responds to coronavirus.
Last week’s meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, included eminent experts from across Australia including the three centres of research excellence working on epidemic preparedness, the WHO Collaborating Centre on Influenza, the CSIRO and states and territories.
The open and competitive grant opportunity – under the MRFF Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative – will open soon and information will be available on GrantConnect.