New Grants Program to Enhance Women’s Health Research
The state government has launched an innovative grants program designed to deepen our understanding of how diseases and health issues uniquely impact women.
Introducing the Women’s Health Research Catalyst Grants
The newly established Women’s Health Research Catalyst Grants will allocate a total of $1.5 million to researchers who are dedicated to advancing women’s health. These grants are open for application to the brightest minds in the medical research community.
Grant Details
Researchers will have the opportunity to receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for one-year research projects. These initiatives will specifically focus on sex and gender comparisons as well as underfunded or under-explored health conditions that affect women.
Priorities in Health Research
While all facets of health and medical research are welcome, certain priority areas have been highlighted to encourage deeper insights into how sex and gender influence health conditions—recognizing the significant differences experienced by women compared to men. Key focus areas include:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Cardiovascular Health
- Oncology
- Orthopaedics
- Chronic Pain
Minister’s Statement on Women’s Health
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas emphasized that many health conditions, particularly those unique to women or that disproportionately affect them, have not received the necessary funding or attention. “For far too long, medical misogyny has deemed women too unreliable for study due to hormonal fluctuations,” asserted Ms. Thomas. “This misguided viewpoint shouldn’t result in our exclusion; rather, we should be prioritized in research due to these inherent biological differences.”
Eligibility and Application Process
Researchers interested in applying must be affiliated with a Victorian Administering Institution and engaged in health or medical research, which may include discovery, pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, or lived experience initiatives.
Applications for the Women’s Health Research Catalyst Grants will open on Monday, January 13.
