OCHRe News (Copy)
20 May 2025
Dear OCHRe Members and Friends
We wish you a safe and happy weekend. If you have news you would like to share, please send it through to the team at ochre@uq.edu.au by Wednesday 2pm AEST.
OCHRe Central Hub www.ochrenetwork.org
News:
Indigenous futures unbound: Reimagining Indigenous futures through knowledge and praxis
Novotel Sunshine Coast Region
This conference is a call-to-action.
We ask:
How can we protect the earth, our human kin, and our non-human relatives for the future?
What can our Indigenous futures look like?
How can we future proof our nations? and
What will being Indigenous mean in the future?
Keynote speaker | Professor Audra Simpson is a Kahnawà:ke Mohawk scholar
Professor Audra Simpson is a Kahnawà:ke Mohawk scholar and researches and writes about Indigenous and settler society, politics and history at Columbia University.
Her book, Mohawk Interruptus: Political Life Across the Borders of Settler States (2014, DUP) won the Sharon Stephens Prize (AES), the “Best first Book Award” (NAISA) as well as the Lora Romero Award (ASA) in addition to honorable mentions.
Call for Abstracts | OPEN:15th April 2025, CLOSE: 29th June 2025, NOTIFICATION: 15th July 2025.
For further information, click here.
MJA | Menzies School of Health Research | Celebrating 40 Years of Research Impact
The Menzies Collection
This special publication of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) — has been released today to mark our 40th anniversary in 2025.
This commemorative issue showcases 10 research papers that reflect the breadth and depth of Menzies’ contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and to the broader scientific and medical research landscape in Australia.
The selected papers span Menzies’ four decades of research and include four Annual Award-winning articles for the Best Original Clinical Research published in the MJA. They highlight our commitment to tackling the rising rates of diabetes in young First Nations Australians, and our long-standing contributions to the prevention and management of otitis media, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and chronic diseases.
The collection shines a light on systemic inequalities affecting First Nations Australians’ health and wellbeing. Papers focus on the social determinants of child health, critical examination of expenditure on food and nutritional quality at the community-level, the impact of miscommunication in healthcare, and systematic differences in access to hospital treatment.
This collection reflects the evolution of Menzies’ work — from its early roots in the Northern Territory to a far-reaching impact across Northern Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
You can explore the full collection here: The Menzies Collection – Medical Journal of Australia.
Prof Alan Cass, Director Menzies, spoke with Sally Block, MJA’s News and Online Editor, about the story behind the collection. Listen to the podcast here: MJA Podcast: Menzies 40-Year Anniversary
Scholarships & Bursaries:
www.ochrenetwork.org/opportunities
UQ Poche Centre
PHD Opportunity
The UQ Poche Centre are seeking a PhD candidate for the project Preventing non-communicable diseases (PreventNCD) among Indigenous children and youth in major cities of Australia.This project is working alongside Professor Abdullah Mamun.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are eligible for a living stipend of up to $53,900 tax free annually.
Enquiries can be submitted to a.mamun@uq.edu.au or poche.hdr.support@uq.edu.au
OCHRe Scholarships and Grants on Offer
Maali Hub | Current Offers
Indigenous Early / Mid Career Researchers | Health Research Related Support Fund Item
The Maali Hub Indigenous EMCR Health Research Related Support Fund is available to support Early to Mid-Career Researchers with project costs, health research related training, international and national conferences.
This is a continuous Open Round which opened on 1 March 2025 and closes on 30 November 2025.
Research support funding offered includes:
$10,000 Research support costs
$5,000 Training
$5,000 International conference attendance
$2,500 National conference attendance
Please submit your application to maalihub@ecu.edu.au.
NEXGEN Hub | Current Offers
Health Research Experience Scholarships Program 2025
Round 2 Applications opened on 9 March 2025
NEXGEN are pleased to announce the launch of Health Research Experience Scholarships Program (Round 2) 2025 as part of our OCHRe NEXGEN Hub.
For this round, NEXGEN Hub will offer 12 Health Research Experience Scholarships Program (Scholarships) valued at $10,000 each. These Scholarships will provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders enrolled in an undergraduate degree (including Honours) or a postgraduate coursework program, to gain or enhance their research experience and skills.
The offer will be offered exclusively to Investigators (CIs and AIs) named on the NHMRC Targeted Call for Research application (APP 2005944: OCHRe).
This is a continuous Open Round.
Opened | 9 March 2025
Closes | 30 September 2025 or when all Scholarships have been awarded, whichever is the sooner.
Contact | nexgen@sph.uq.edu.au
For further information and application forms for both offers, see OCHRe Website - https://www.ochrenetwork.org/scholarships
Indigenous PhD Scholars
You are invited to an exclusive workshop to maximise your conference experience with strategies for engagement and impact. The workshop is held in conjunction with Lowitja Institute's
4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference.
Interactive Sessions will include:
Sharpening Your Presentation | Deliver a 3–5 minute presentation and enhance your communication skills in a supportive space
Research Leadership | Enjoy insights from leading Indigenous researchers and scholars on their research journeys
Building Global Connections | Network with Indigenous PhD scholars from around the world
Navigating Conferences | Leave with the tools and knowledge to get the most out of the conference
Where: Adelaide Convention Centre When: 10am - 2pm Monday 16 June 2025
Bursaries Available through Melbourne Poche Centre
Available for Indigenous PhD scholars who attend the Workshop. Bursaries include the Workshop, Lowitja’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, Conference Gala dinner, flights and accommodation.
Have a yarn with
Tahlia Eastman tahlia.eastman@unimelb.edu.au
Warwick Padgham warwick.padgham@unimelb.edu.au
Bursary funding is provided by the Maali Hub of Our Collaborations in Health Research (OCHRe), facilitated by the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, and the workshop is supported by Lowitja Institute.
Webinars, Workshops and Professional Development
ALIGN (Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics)
Launched ALIGN’s Online Course - Genomics Our Way | An Introduction to Genomics Research with Indigenous Australians
ALIGN were able to develop and deliver this first-of-its-kind course through the ALIGN network, the OCHRE network, with financial support from the Australian Academy of Science–Theo Murphy Initiative (AAS-TMI).
What’s next?
Register now and take the course!
https://indigenousgenomics.com.au/courses/genomicsourway/Please share it with your colleagues, networks, and communities.
Follow the new ALIGN LinkedIn business page and help us amplify the campaign.
Tell us what you think - we’d love your feedback and reflections once you’ve completed the course.
‘Genomics Our Way’ is more than a course—it’s a statement about how genomics research with Indigenous Australians should be done.
Connecting Hearts & Minds | Webinar
Partnerships with Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services
Date: Tuesday 27th May 2025 Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Presenters: Paul Hussein & Dr. Poornima Ramamurthy from Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services
Join us for a webinar featuring Paul Hussein and Dr. Poornima Ramamurthy from Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services, where they will share their expertise on building meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services.
Zoom link: https://georgehub.zoom.us/j/83432259548
Communicate Study Partnership | Hosted by Menzies School of Health Research
First Nations Health Communication Symposium | Stories that matter: reflecting and collaborating for change
EOI open: presentations, panels & information stalls
21 & 22 August 2025 – Larrakia Country, Darwin, and Arrernte Country, Alice Springs.
Example topics include:
Codesign and collaboration
Intercultural communication
Culturally safe communication
Health literacy
Shared decision making
Communication in clinical education
Media and health communication
Technology in health communication
Patient-centred care
Bilingual workforce initiatives
A reminder to please submit your EOIs to present and/or host a stall at the 2025 First Nations Health Communication Symposium by Friday 16th May. The event will be held in both Darwin and Alice Springs. Event details here: First Nations Health Communication Symposium + Workshops - Menzies
If you would like to present at the Symposium, please submit the following form and return to communicatestudypartnership@menzies.edu.au by Friday 16 May 2025.
MENZIES SCHOOL OF HEALTH | THE NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT | DJALKIRI | CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
If you would like to present at the Symposium, please submit the following form and return to communicatestudypartnership@menzies.edu.au by Friday 16 May 2025.
Events & Opportunities in 2025
see www.ochrenetwork.org/events
AIATSIS Summit
(Australian Institute Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies)
2 – 6 June Darwin
Voices of Empowerment: Strengthening our Future
The AIATSIS Summit provides a unique forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, leaders, and youth along with Academics, Native Title stakeholders, legal experts, GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) sector and government representatives to come together and collaborate on the issues that matter most to First Nations peoples.
For further information and to register, click here.
Lowitja Conference | 16 – 19 June
KAURNA COUNTRY ADELAIDE SA
Our 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2025 theme is Strong, Fearless, Together and honours the legacy of our co-patron and namesake, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.
Start planning now!
For further information and to register, click here.
OCHRe Convocation | 29 – 30 October Brisbane
Voices of Country: Research, Resilience and Renewal
Meanjin, Turrbal Country (Brisbane)
.
GRANT CONNECT
All Australian Government grant opportunities are advertised on Grant Connect including NHMRC, MRFF, ARC and many other grants. Below are some current opportunities.
For current list of all grants on Grant Connect click here.
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
CHM – 2025 Cardiovascular Health Grant Opportunity
The MRFF Cardiovascular Health Mission aims to make transformative improvements in cardiovascular health and stroke management for all Australians.
Minimum data due | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 16 July 2025
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 13 August 2025
For further information, click here.
DAACM – 2025 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grant Opportunity
The objectives and outcomes of this grant opportunity align with the Roadmap and Implementation Plan for the Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission.
Minimum data due | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 23 July 2025
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 20 August 2025
For further information, click here.
Rapid Applied Research Translation
This initiative supports the translation of research evidence into clinical practice and better quality of care for patients by encouraging collaborations between academic researchers, health service providers, consumers and other end users on projects to improve health care delivery, service and systems sustainability.
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 7 July 2025
For further information, click here.
Global Health Initiative
2025 Mental Health and Climate Change Grant Opportunity
The objective of this grant opportunity is to provide grants of financial assistance to support medical research and medical innovation projects that, through co-design with consumers and health services, develop scalable and sustainable interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change on Australians’ mental health.
Minimum data due | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 25 June 2025
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 23 July 2025
For further information, click here.
MRFF 2022 Frontier Health and Medical Research Grant Opportunity
This grant opportunity offers funding to support medical research and medical innovation programs of research that deliver a ‘moonshot’ by creating a treatment for a currently serious and incurable health condition, through a series of linked projects. The program of research can propose to develop novel health technologies and/or re-purpose existing health technologies in a novel way.
We expect that expressions of interest will close on 31 March 2026, with the last grants awarded by 30 June 2027.
Total Amount Available (AUD): $400,000,000
Estimated Grant Value (AUD): $25,000,000
For further information, click here.
Early to Mid-Career Researchers Initiative
2025 Early to Mid-Career Researchers Grant Opportunity
The objective of this grant opportunity is to provide grants of financial assistance to support medical research and medical innovation projects for Early to Mid-Career Researchers.
Minimum data due | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 25 June 2025
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 23 July 2025
For further information, click here.
MRFF – PPHRI – 2025 Incorporating Patient Data in Health Technology Assessment Decision Making Grant Opportunity
Minimum data due | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 25 June 2025
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 23 July 2025
For further information, click here.
National Health and Medical Research Council
Partnership Projects – 2025
Partnership Projects will support collaborations, within the Australian context, that translate research evidence into health policy and health practice, to improve health services and processes
Minimum data closes at 17:00 ACT local time on the following dates:
PRC2 – 23 July 2025
PRC3 – 12 November 2025
For further information, click here.
Linkage Projects for funding applied for in 2025
The Linkage Projects scheme supports projects which initiate or develop long term strategic research alliances to apply advanced knowledge to problems, acquire new knowledge and as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research.
To facilitate successful collaboration between higher education institutions and other parts of the innovation system, there will be two assessment rounds for Linkage Projects for funding applied for in 2025. Please refer to the Important Dates document for detailed information about the assessment round dates.
Estimated Grant Value (AUD) | From $100,000 to $1,500,000.
Application closes | 25 June 2025
For further information, click here.
2025 NHMRC-Global Alliance Chronic Diseases: Strengthening Health Systems
Total Grant Pool (AUD) | $5,000,000
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 28 October 2025
For further information, click here.
ALIGN (Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics) & The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)
Indigenous Visiting Research Fellowship
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and The Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics (ALIGN) have collaborated to offer an excellent opportunity for an Indigenous Visiting Research Fellow. This opportunity will support an Indigenous researcher using advanced genomics to improve diagnostic outcomes for people with suspected genetic immune disease. Flexible funding of up to $300,000 over two years is available.
Fellows can range from PhD students who have completed their confirmation of candidature, through to post-graduate, mid-career researchers. Clinicians with an interest in research are also welcome to apply.
Applications for this program opened May 2025 and are reviewed on a rolling basis, so you may apply at any time.
For further information, view the website here OR scan the QR code
Employment
The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
Two roles open for recruitment
The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health has two exciting roles open for recruitment.
These roles are opportunities to build Indigenous health leadership and work with an Indigenous-led, dynamic Centre.
Applications close: Monday 9 June
Academic Lead, Educational Programs
Shape Indigenous health leadership
Drive innovative eLearning initiatives
Collaborate with diverse stakeholders
Full time; Continuing
Academic Level D - $175,858 - $193,740
Find out more: Academic Lead, Educational Programs
Indigenous Health Leadership Project Officer
Accelerate Indigenous health leadership
Contribute to groundbreaking research
Foster next-gen Indigenous leaders
Part-time (0.8 FTE); Continuing
Academic Level A: $83,468 - $113,262
Find out more: Indigenous Health Leadership Project Officer
