Centres of Research Excellence
17 research institutions share in $43M in funding to pursue collaborative research and develop capacity in clinical, population health and health services research.
Description
The Centres of Research Excellence will provide support for teams of researchers to pursue collaborative research and develop capacity in clinical, population health and health services research. Funding will support three schemes:
- CREs in Clinical Research;
- CREs in Population Health Research; and
- CREs in Health Services Research.
Objectives
The objective of funding Centres of Research Excellence are to:
- support the conduct and development of innovative, high quality, collaborative research;
- ensure effective translation of research into health policy and / or practice;
- foster and build capacity in the health and medical research workforce; and
- provide opportunities to expand and improve collaborations between research teams.
A CRE may be a single physical entity or institute, or be a geographically disparate network linking across more than one institution. Centres are encouraged to collaborate with, and participate in, international research studies.
Assessment Criteria
Applications for Centres of Research Excellence are assessed by peers on whether they meet the scheme objectives using the following Assessment Criteria, which will be weighted equally. In framing applications against the Assessment Criteria, applicants should consider how the proposal will address the associated points.
1. Generate new knowledge that leads to improved health outcomes
- clarity of research objectives, and theoretical concepts;
- strengths and weaknesses of the research design(s), or the appropriateness and robustness of the proposed methodology/ies or appropriateness of the broader strategy of the research program of the Centre;
- feasibility of the proposed research;
- aims and concepts of the research are innovative or pioneering on an international level; and
- likelihood that significant new findings will be produced, and substantially advance knowledge in the field.
2. Ensure effective transfer of research outcomes into health policy and/or practice
- the quality of the plan for research translation;
- plans for promoting the Centre’s activities to the wider community, including where appropriate, for commercial gain; and 6
- the involvement of end-users and the wider community in the planning, implementation and uptake of the research program.
3. Develop the health and medical research workforce by providing opportunities to advance the training of new researchers, particularly those with a capacity for independent research and future leadership roles
- strategy to generate new researcher capability, mentoring and encouragement of further career development; and
- clarity of measures for integrating new researchers into the teams including mentoring strategies.
4. Facilitate collaboration
- likely effectiveness of working collaborations and intellectual exchange;
- the relationship with other groups in the particular field of research; and
- integration and cohesiveness of the team.
5. Record of Research and Translation Achievement – relative to opportunity.
Teams are required to outline past and/or proposed collaborative arrangements within the applicant team, and address the means whereby the collaborators will ensure the cohesive running of the research during its funding period.
Record of Achievement is also considered in terms of whether the previous research experience of applicants demonstrates that the team is capable of achieving the proposed project and / or ability to deliver the proposed project in terms of having the appropriate mix of research skills and experience.
Record of Achievement may encompass the national and international standing of the applicants based upon their research achievements, relative to opportunity, including but not limited to:
- research outputs – most recent significant publications; publications that illustrate innovation and significance to past accomplishments; impact or outcome of previous research achievements, including effects on health care practices or policy; awards or honours in recognition of achievements;
- contribution to discipline or area – invitations to speak at international meetings, editorial appointments, specialist and high level health policy committee appointments; and
- other research-related achievements, such as:
- influence on clinical/health policy or practice, or provision of influential advice to health authorities and government; and
- impacts on health via the broad dissemination of research outcomes; e.g. via mainstream media, the community or industry involvement.
Record of Achievement is considered in relation to opportunity – with regard to factors such as career disruption, administrative and clinical/teaching load, and typical performance (including publications) for the field in question.
Recipients
| Purpose | Value | Institution |
| Centre of Research Excellence in Lung Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children | $2,498,845 | Menzies School of Health Research |
| Centre of Research Excellence for Translational Breast Cancer Research: From Discovery to Better Health Outcomes | $2,500,000 | Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research |
| Centre of Research Excellence for Reducing the Burden of Colorectal Cancer by Optimising Screening: Evidence to Clinical Practice | $2,483,765 | University of Melbourne |
| Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health | $2,499,990 | University of Adelaide |
| Centre of Research Excellence for PROBE-NET: The Progression of Barrett’s Esophagus to Cancer Network | $2,465,841 | Queensland Institute of Medical Research |
| Centre of Research Excellence for Patient Blood Management in Critical illness and Trauma | $2,498,407 | Monash University |
| Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use: Translating Innovative Prevention and Treatment | $2,499,020 | University of New South Wales |
| Centre of Research Excellence for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research | $2,498,842 | University of Wollongong |
| Centre of Research Excellence for Improving Suicide Prevention in Australia Through Better Implementation of Effective Interventions, Improved Risk Identification and Evidence Informed Policy | $2,490,060 | University of New South Wales |
| Centre of Research Excellence for Tuberculosis Control: From Discovery to Public Health Practice and Policy | $2,492,535 | University of Sydney |
| Centre of Research Excellence in Paediatric Food Allergy and Food- Related Immune Disorders | $2,493,292 | Murdoch Children’s Research Institute |
| Centre of Research Excellence on Policy Research on Obesity and Food Systems | $2,498,110 | Deakin University |
| Centre of Research Excellence in Post- market Surveillance of Medicines and Medical Devices | $2,500,000 | University of South Australia |
| Centre of Research Excellence to Reduce Inequality in Heart Disease | $2,493,649 | Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute |
| Centre of Research Excellence in Discovering Indigenous Strategies to improve Cancer Outcomes Via Engagement, Research Translation and Training (DISCOVER –TT) | $2,499,998 | Menzies School of Health Research |
| Centre of Research Excellence in Minimising Antibiotic Resistance for Acute Respiratory Infections [CREMARA] | $2,454,998 | Bond University |
| Centre of Research Excellence for Evidence-based Mental Health Planning: Translating Evidence into Policy and Services | $2,442,370 | University of Queensland |
| Total Expenditure | $42,309,722 |
Media Release
Suicide prevention, substance abuse and better mental health planning will be the focus of research efforts at two new Centres of Research Excellence based at the University of NSW.
Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek and Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler today opened the two new Centres of Research Excellence in Sydney which will focus their work on mental health.
Ms Plibersek said the centres formed part of the Government’s 2011 Budget commitment of $26.2 million over five years to strategic investment in mental health research.
“Minister Butler and I are delighted to open these centres as part of the Government’s strategic investment in mental health research priorities through the National Health and Medical Research Council,” Ms Plibersek said.
“Centres of Research Excellence work to achieve real health gains for Australians. They support the transfer of research outcomes into improved knowledge, better health systems and improved treatment for individuals and their families.”
Mr Butler said the two centres would play an important role in advancing our understanding of correlations between substance use and mental health, as well as improve suicide prevention efforts.
“Mental health and substance use disorders account for more years of life lost due to disability than any other disorders, and often occur together, affecting more than 300,000 Australians every year.”
“These two research centres will identify strategies which encourage people to seek help, and give us better evidence about the appropriate mix of services and support, and help us better understand the impact of substance use on mental health.”
“I look forward to the seeing the outcomes produced by both the Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention and Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use Translating Innovative Prevention and Treatment,” Mr Butler said.
Details of the Centres:
- Professor Helen Christensen, UNSW Black Dog Institute, received $2.5 million to improve suicide prevention in Australia through better implementation of effective interventions, improved risk identification and evidence informed policy.
- Professor Maree Teesson, UNSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre received $2.5 million to address mental health and substance use and to examine innovative prevention and treatment.
