Victorian medical research institutes net $26m in state grants

The Victorian government has pledged $26.6 million in infrastructure funding to 17 independent medical research institutes in the state.

The grants were revealed by Victorian minister for innovation John Brumby yesterday while visiting malaria research facilities at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI).

WEHI was the big winner, with nearly $8.5 million. Other major grants went to the Baker Medical Research Institute ($2.866 million), the Murdoch Children's Research Institute ($2.029 million), the Burnet Institute ($2.104 million) and the Florey Institute ($1.9 million).

"These infrastructure grants will support the laboratories, equipment and facilities that are vital to achieving new medical research discoveries and advances," said Brumby in a statement.

Operational Infrastructure Support Program grants, 2005-06:

Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research -- $8,465,084 Baker Medical Research Institute -- $2,866,496 Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research -- $2,104,660 Murdoch Children's Research Institute -- $2,029,016 Howard Florey Institute -- $1,905,512 St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research -- $1,696,344 Monash Institute of Reproduction & Development -- $1,514,584 Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research -- $1,078,896 Prince Henry's Medical Research Institute -- $984,800 Austin Research Institute -- $891,948 Mental Health Research Institute -- $522,940 Bionic Ear Institute -- $346,536 Centre for Eye Research Australia -- $311,424 Brain Research Institute -- $291,324 National Stroke Research Institute -- $276,112 Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery -- $252,276 National Ageing Research Institute -- $20,328