Australia’s world-leading medical researchers and scientists will be supported with $125.3 million for their medical research projects.

Almost $39 million, via the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding, will be provided to combat various types of cancer.

As part of the new funding, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne has been awarded $13.5 million for the continuation of its research into cancer immunology and immunotherapy.

The Peter MacCallum’s researchers seek to discover methods to enhance the human body’s ability to destroy cancer cells by itself. 

Also, almost $20 million will be provided to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland to support the development of the tools required to eliminate tropical diseases. 

Moreover, almost $43 million will boost medical research projects in NSW, with a focus on cancer treatments and neuroscience. 

Among the researchers receiving the new funding in NSW, Professor Paul Keall’s team from the University of Sydney will receive $7 million to support their research on radiotherapy.

In addition, $7 million will be awarded to Professor Margaret Hellard from the Burnet Institute. The grant will aid her Direct Acting Antivirals work that would support more than 230,000 Australians living with chronic Hepatitis C Virus.

Further, the New South Wales University team’s research on limiting unexpected cardiac arrests in hospitals will be supported through the new funding.

“The five-year grants will enable highly experience researchers to work together to tackle difficult problems in health and medicine,” Minister for Health and Minister for Sport the Hon. Greg Hunt said.