OCHRe News
5 September 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:
OCHRe Convocation keynote speakers announced!
We are delighted to welcome four incredible women who will be sharing their insights and bringing invaluable perspectives to First Nations research.
FEATURING:
Prof. Papaarangi Reid – Tumuaki - Deputy Dean Māori, Head of Department,
University of Auckland Te Kupenga Hauora Māori– Specialist in public health medicine, focused on health equity for Māori and other Indigenous People.
Emma Rawson-Te Patu - President-Elect, World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) – First Indigenous women to hold this role and is developing a global public health framework based on Indigenous knowledge and rights.
Prof. Ngiare Brown BMed, MPHTM, FRACGP – Chancellor JCU - First female and first Indigenous Chancellor of James Cook University with a strong commitment to Indigenous health, child safety, and youth development.
Dr. Jackie Huggins AM FAHA – Director, Indigenous Research, The University of Queensland – A leading First Nations scholar, acclaimed historian, and author dedicated to reconciliation.OCHRe Convocation | Opportunity for HDR students
Submission Date Extended!
Expression of Interest – OCHRe Convocation Short Presentation (First Nations HDR students)
The Convocation Working Group is calling for EOIs for Short Presentations from First Nations students currently enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) in health.
Context: OCHRe is holding its annual Convocation in Meanjin Brisbane on 29 & 30 October 2025 with the Theme | Voices of Country: Research, Resilience and Renewal. On Thursday 30 October there will be a session for HDR students to do a 3-minute presentation on their HDR thesis.
Date: Thursday 30 October 2025.
Session time: 10.10 – 10.40 am
Rules:
You must be Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and currently enrolled in an HDR in an Australian university.
You will have 3 minutes only for your presentation.
You can only use one power point slide that is a static slide. Hence, you cannot add to the slide as you are presenting, eg with images, graphs etc.
A panel will assess each presentation.
Assessment:
A panel will assess all EOIs and will inform you if your EOI has been accepted by Thursday 24 September 2025
Prize: Prizes will be awarded to all presenters
Please note: We are unable to provide financial support for travel or accommodation expenses. If you wish to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to present but are unable to attend the Convocation due to financial constraints, one of our partner organisations may be able to offer limited assistance. For more information, please contact us directly.
Key dates
Opening date: Wednesday 26 August 2025
Closing Date: 11:59pm AEST Friday 19 September 2025 (updated)
Outcome notification: Friday 24 September 2025 (updated)
Date of presentation: Thursday 30 October 2025
To request an application form, please email ochre@uq.edu.au.
Please submit your completed EOI to ochre@uq.edu.au by the above closing date.
You can also find the application form here.
EOI’s & Submissions
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF )
Expression of Interest – Reducing Health Inequities Mission Expert Advisory
The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) is inviting applications from people interested in becoming a member of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Reducing Health Inequities Mission (RHIM) Expert Advisory Panel (EAP).
The RHIM is part of the health and medical research initiatives under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and is providing up to $150 million over 10years, starting from 2027-28. The RHIM aims to address inequities in health outcomes by improving access to quality health services by priority populations.
Applications close on 17 October 2025
For further information, click here
National Health and Medical Research Council
NHMRC Public Call for Submissions: Research Priority Areas in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
The National Health Medical and Research Council (NHMRC) is seeking community input into research priorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, which may form the basis of a Targeted Call for Research (TCR). Submissions should address a significant research knowledge gap or unmet need for which there is the potential to greatly advance our understanding of the issue.
Submissions open 21 July 2025 and close 15 September 2025.
Further details and submissions can be made on NHMRC’s Consultation hub.
National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025 was issued on 6 March 2025. The 2025 National Statement will take effect, and replace the 2023 National Statement, from 1 October 2025.
Co-authored by NHMRC, the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Universities Australia (UA), the National Statement is Australia’s principal human research guideline setting out the requirements for the ethical design, review and conduct of human research in Australia.
The 2025 National Statement and a summary of amendments can be found here. The major changes in this update are to Section 4. The National Statement was developed by NHMRC’s Australian Health Ethics Committee and was informed by public consultation
in accordance with the requirements of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.
Health Translation Queensland | Resource
Indigenous Data – Clause Templates and Guidance
This new HTQ resource, developed by Terri Janke and Company,
provides clear and practical template clauses covering intellectual property,
property, moral rights, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP),
and Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov). The document is designed to
support research teams to embed best-practice legal, cultural, and ethical
standards into their agreements.
For further information, click here
Indigenous Futures Conference | 4 – 7 November 2025 | Kabi Kabi Country
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.
For further information, click here.
OCHRe Scholarships:
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
Scholarships & Bursaries:
www.ochrenetwork.org/opportunities
Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda – In Partnership with Nairm Marr Djambana
PhD Scholarship Opportunity for an Indigenous Candidate
The Indigenous Health Equity Unit in partnership with Nairm Marr Djambana, is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship for an Indigenous student to undertake a community-led research project that supports the development and implementation of an evaluation framework for Aboriginal community programs. This research project will co-develop an evidence-informed evaluation framework for Nairm Marr Djambana, a gathering place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Frankston, Victoria, focussing on cultural identity, social and emotional wellbeing, and community self-determination.
Base Stipend: $52,300 per annum (2025 rate and tax-free if full time study)
Project Top-Up: $20,000 per annum
Relocation allowance: $2,000 for students moving from States or Territories other than Victoria.
For more information, contact Professor Cath Chamberlain on cacham@unimelb.edu.au or Warwick Padgham on padghamw@unimelb.edu.au
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health - Centres and Institutes, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
UoM PhD Scholarship Opportunity
Fostering a healthy start to life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Relighting the Firesticks is a community-based participatory research project. This research is based on our learnings and evidence from the pilot project, Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future (HPNF), and the scale up, Replanting the Birthing Tree (RBT) project.
For more information click here OR contact Professor Cath Chamberlain on cacham@unimelb.edu.au
Auora Education Foundation
First Nations Cancer Scholarship
A new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in cancer.
Valued at $120,000 a year, these will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, health professionals, and early-career researchers (ECRs) to undertake full-time postgraduate study (graduate certificate, master’s or PhD) or research in a cancer-related field. It's funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia and established by the Aurora Education Foundation and Cancer Australia.
Closes: 12th Sept 2025
For further information click here: https://aurorafoundation.com.au/our-work/indigenous-pathways-portal/scholarships/first-nations-cancer-scholarship/
Auora Internship Program | Paid internships that build your career and your impact
Are you a First Nations university student or graduate looking to take the next step in your career?
The Aurora Internship Program offers paid placements with purpose – giving you the chance to gain experience, grow your confidence, and contribute to work that matters.
Interns are placed in organisations working to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. From grassroots nonprofits to research institutes, government, and the private sector. You don’t need to have it all figured out, just bring your curiosity, commitment, and lived experience.
APPLY NOW OR LEARN MORE AT: aurorafoundation.com.au
Scan the QR code for full program details and how to apply.
(And if you’re unsure or have questions, the Aurora team is here to help.)
Webinars, Workshops and
Professional Development
Institute CQUEST Webinar: Choosing the right PROMs for cancer clinical research
A free online workshop hosted by CQUEST (Cancer Quality of Life Expert Service Team) for members of Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups (CCTGs) to learn more about choosing the right patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for their clinical cancer research and to discuss PROMs for research concepts in development.
Date: Tuesday 9 September 2025
Time: 12:30-2:00pm AEST
Registrations close Monday 8 September 2025 5:00pm AEST
To register click here
Lowitja Institute
These online courses were developed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers. They’re also highly valuable for non-Indigenous people working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and research sectors.
The following online courses are available:
Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Introduction to Ethics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
Community data literacy: Foundations
Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
Introduction to Indigenous Knowledge Translation
Introduction to Evaluation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Contexts
For more information and to apply click here.
University of Sydney | Central Sydney (Patyegarang) Precinct
Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion
Designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, our Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion aims to improve Indigenous health at a community level. This program will give you the knowledge and skills to identify community needs, develop a plan of action and execute it.
Our program is for Indigenous health practitioners who already have a role in promoting the health of their communities or hold equivalent qualifications. It is designed to give practitioners skills they need to help prevent illness and reduce the harms in the community.
For more information and to apply click here.
Health Translation Queensland
Online workshops supporting research with First Nations Peoples
Join our popular and free workshops supporting research with First Nations Peoples.
The workshops will be delivered by Shevaun Wright, Solicitor, Terri Janke and Company.
Workshop 1: Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property
This session will explore the legal dimensions of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) which, together with cultural sensitivity and respect, provide the cornerstones of research with and for First Nations communities.
Developed by Terri Janke and Company, this workshop is anchored in the unique 'Ten True Tracks® Principles'®, a best practice framework for ethical Indigenous engagement.
Date: 7 October 2025
Time: 11am - 12pm (AEST-QLD)
Workshop 2: Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Explore the concept of Indigenous Data Sovereignty in health research and learn how to apply it through Indigenous Data Governance. This session will explore how these principles can be embedded through culturally responsive approaches and ethically grounded research practices.
Date: 14 October 2025
Time: 11am - 12pm (AEST-QLD)
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.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing:
Indigenous Datathon: Applying Indigenous Data Governance to Healthcare
Expressions of interest are now open to attend the Indigenous Datathon 2025
Location: Brisbane
Dates: October 11 and 12, 2025
Co-located with International Data Week 2025, the event will see participants explore real-world questions using data science, guided by the CARE Principles (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics) of Indigenous data governance.
The event is being run by the Indigenous Data Network (University of Melbourne), the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS), the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), QUT Centre for Data Science (QUT CDS) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane (ATSICHS-Brisbane).
The event is designed for post-graduate students, clinicians, researchers, or emerging data scientists. Participants will work in teams to analyse healthcare datasets while learning how to apply ethical, culturally responsive data practices.
It is an opportunity for participants to sharpen their skills, connect with others, and contribute to meaningful, values-driven solutions. We welcome participants with a wide range of backgrounds and skills who are interested in engaging with health data, but we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to apply.
Numbers are limited to ensure each participant is well supported by mentors, subject domain experts and datathon volunteers.
See more information here: https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/centres-institutes/onemda/research-group/indigenous-data-network/indigenous-datathon-2025
.
CONFERENCES 2025
10th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium
8 – 9 October | Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
Research from the heart – shaping rural & remote health futures’
If you have research findings to share, this is your opportunity to contribute to a movement dedicated to improving rural and remote health in Australia.
Presentation Opportunities: Find the Right Format for You
Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2025
20 – 21 October | Meanjin (Brisbane) Walking Together, Flourishing Together: Pathways to Indigenous Wellbeing
Join us in Meanjin (Brisbane) as we share solutions to the most important wellbeing needs of all First Nations Australian, Māori and Pasifika people.
OCHRe Convocation
29 – 30 October | (Meanjin) Brisbane
Voices of Country: Research, Resilience and Renewal
REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
Indigenous Allied Health Australia
24 – 26 November | Sunshine Coast
Tradition to Transformation: Leading in Allied Health
For more information and to register, click here.
Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
27 – 29 November
For more information, click AIDA 2025 Conference
November 18th World Congress on Public Health
6-9 September 2026 | South Africa
Health Without Borders: Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability
For more information, click here
CONFERENCES 2026
World Indigenous Cancer Conference | 20-24 April 2026 | Rotorua, Aotearoa, New Zealand
For more information, click here
18th World Congress on Public Health | 6-9 September 2026 | South Africa
Health Without Borders: Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability
For more information, click here
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.
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.
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:
PRC3 – 12 November 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.
Applications close: October 2025
For further information, view the website here OR scan the QR code
Employment
University of Notre Dame Broome Campus
Positions available in Healthcare Education
Program Co-ordinator (Nursing)
Trainer and Assessor (Nursing)
Student Support Officer
For further information, click here
Charles Darwin University
Associate Director, Engagement and Strategy
As the Associate Director, Engagement and Strategy, you will be responsible for providing First Nations representation and leadership to the overall strategic direction and operations of the Institute, in conjunction with the Director.
Fixed Term, Full Time Appointment (contract until 2027)
Professional Employee Level 10 – annual salary $128,903 – $143,061 pa
Plus 17% superannuation and 6 weeks annual leave Casuarina Campus
Applications Close: Wednesday 17thSeptember 2025
For full position description, click here
To apply for this position, click here
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland Node Coordinator – Indigenous Genomics Network
QUT are seeking a Queensland Node Co-ordinator, Indigenous Genomics Network to join School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health.
Reference number: 25496
Term: Fixed-term, full-time basis for 22 months
Remuneration: $120,443 to $131,749 pa. (HEW7) ( inclusive of $101,775 to $111,330 salary pa, 17% superannuation, and leave loading)
Location: Kelvin Grove
Open to: Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people. For this position it is a genuine occupational requirement that it be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as permitted by and arguable under sections 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).
Applications Close: 21-Sep-2025 at 11.30pm
For full position description, click here
