Westmead. Medical research funding crisis

The Westmead Millennium Institute is hoping to help prevent the federal government’s proposed plan to axe funding to medical research by $400 million. WMI researchers and scientists will join nationwide rallies today to protest against this massive cut to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s budget. The institute is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes and has grown rapidly over the last decade. Funding cuts would be a significant blow to the institute that is currently in planning stages for a new building.

Westmead. $9 million for research

Researchers at the Kids Research Institute, at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, are involved in 15 projects that have been awarded more than $ 9 million from 2011, by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Westmead. $75,000 grant for research

Dr Rose Boutros, at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) has been awarded a grant of $75,000 grant, by the Ramaciotti Foundations, to enable her to continue her biomedical research. Dr Boutros’ research is aimed at understanding cell division and how its misregulation can result in cancer. Vera and Clive Ramaciotti established the charity 40 years ago and since then have contributed $48.5 million in grants to creative and cutting-edge medical research, which often struggles to attract funding from mainstream sources.

Westmead. $124 million facility proposed

Parramatta City Council will submit an application to the Department of Planning from the Westmead Millennium Institute for the construction of a part 7 and part 8 medical research facility with 12,921 square metres of floor space, within the grounds of Westmead Hospital. The development, which will house approximately 400 employees, has a cost of $124 million. The institute is closely affiliated with Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney.

Hawkesbury. $40 million boost for research

Funding of $40 million in the Federal Budget has been allocated for the University of Western Sydney to establish a new world-class Centre for Climate Change and Energy Research (CCCER) at its Hawkesbury Campus. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, said the centre would boost research and development in Western Sydney