New initiative for health research and its translation

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced the Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre initiative, with the aim of accelerating the translation of research into improved medical practice and commercial opportunities.

The initiative will recognise centres that excel in research, translate evidence into patient care and practice, and have a strong research and translation focus in the education of health professionals.

Submissions will be based on partnerships, for example, between hospitals and universities and medical research institutes.

“It is acknowledged worldwide that a key driver of research translation is strong collaboration between the spheres of research, healthcare and teaching,” NHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson said in a statement.

“Similar centres in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands foster translation between research discoveries and clinical practice.

“Australia will now be joining their ranks and those centres that achieve recognition as an Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre will have a significant platform from which to compete globally with other established centres,” Anderson said.

Submissions will be reviewed by an international panel that will provide advice to NHMRC on the leading partnerships in Australia.

Submissions close Tuesday, 30 September 2014.