Vic govt hands $20m to research institutes

Medical research institutes in Victoria have received an 11 per cent increase in state government infrastructure funding, with almost AUD$20 million being distributed between 20 institutes.

The funding is provided through a five-year, $113 million operational infrastructure support program.

The biggest grants were awarded to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, which received $6.7 million, the Baker Heart Research Institute ($1.85 million), and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute ($1.83 million).

"This funding supports the laboratories, equipment and facilities that are vital to achieving Victoria's great breakthroughs in medical research," said Minister for Innovation John Brumby in a statement.

"The Bracks Government recognises that investment in this area means we can attract and retain outstanding researchers, and attract overseas collaborations and investment in Victoria."

Brumby said the infrastructure funding would boost the ability of the institutes to attract funding from other sources.

Grant recipients:

• Austin Research Institute ($552,000)
• Baker Heart Research Institute ($1,850,000)
• Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery ($155,000)
• Bionic Ear Institute ($245,000)
• Brain Research Institute ($249,000)
• Centre for Eye Research Australia ($242,000)
• Genomic Disorders Research Centre ($31,000)
• Howard Florey Institute ($1,244,000)
• International Diabetes Institute ($47,000)
• Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research ($647,000)
• Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research ($1,591,000)
• Melbourne Neuromuscular Research Institute ($45,000)
• Mental Health Research Institute ($377,000)
• Monash Institute of Reproduction & Development ($1,217,000)
• Murdoch Children's Research Institute ($1,820,000)
• National Ageing Research Institute ($41,000)
• National Stroke Research Institute ($187,000)
• Prince Henry's Medical Research Institute ($907,000)
• St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research ($1,306,000)
• Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research ($6,689,000)