MEDIA RELEASE

18 Feb 2020

Prime Minister, Minister for Health

The Morrison Government is fast tracking $2 million in funding to support Australia’s best researchers as they work to understand and respond to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19.

Our government’s priority is to keep Australians safe and this $2 million investment will help develop a coronavirus vaccine.

Following a meeting of leading Australian researchers last week, the Government is providing the funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for an open and competitive Grant Opportunity to develop a coronavirus vaccine.

This Grant Opportunity will complement the world-leading work already undertaken by the Doherty Institute, CSIRO and University of Queensland and their collaboration.

The ability to swiftly react to emerging health issues is a key strength of the MRFF, which was established in 2015 to support health and medical research and innovation for the benefit of all Australians.

Research plays a critical role in ensuring Australia maintains its world-class health system and is particularly important as the world responds to coronavirus.

Last week’s meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, included eminent experts from across Australia including the three centres of research excellence working on epidemic preparedness, the WHO Collaborating Centre on Influenza, the CSIRO and states and territories.

The open and competitive grant opportunity – under the MRFF Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative will open soon and information will be available on GrantConnect at https://www.grants.gov.au

For more information about coronavirus, visit the Department of Health website at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov