More than $40 million will be shared among seventy-six new, early career researchers working to find a cure and innovative therapies for Dementia, as part of the Australian Government's $200 million commitment to boost Australian dementia research.
Director of the NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research (Dementia Institute), Professor John McCallum, warmly welcomed today's announcement.
"Dementia is the most feared and biggest health issue facing the developed world. If we want to boost research to deal with this, we must invest in new researchers to build the future research workforce," Professor McCallum said.
"We already know that more than 340,000 Australians are living with dementia, and without a medical breakthrough the number of people with dementia is expected to be almost 900,000 by 2050. This is why boosting dementia research is so critical."
"Through the collaboration of Australia's world leading researchers with new Fellows, we can make a difference to finding a cure for this debilitating disease, which has now become Australia's second leading cause of death."
"By supporting new researchers we are creating Australia's research leaders of the future, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of international efforts to prevent dementia and provide better care for people with dementia."
Earlier this year in August, the Minister for Health, Sussan Ley announced the establishment of the Dementia Institute and $35.6 million for NHMRC Dementia Research Team Grants as its first initiative.
Australia's peak research agencies, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian Research Council (ARC) have joined forces to provide $43 million in funding for the Dementia Research Development Fellowships.
The Dementia Institute in partnership with Alzheimer's Australia has been established to bring together Australian researchers, carers and patients, and health professionals, to boost dementia research.
Further information is available on the NHMRC website.