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Research funding

How we fund research

The Heart Foundation funds heart research across the entire spectrum, from bench to bedside and beyond.
We fund a wide range of topics across the areas of biomedical, clinical, public health and health services.
Our research funding goes to both individual researchers and for projects.

2018 Research Funding Offers

The Heart Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of our research awards; in 2018 we are funding 84 individual awards to support Australia’s best and brightest researchers to investigate the causes, treatment and prevention of heart disease, stroke and related conditions.

In 2018 the Heart Foundation received 348 applications; 24% of these were successful in gaining funding.

In 2018, the Heart Foundation has invested in 84 Australian researchers across:

41 Fellowships
7 Scholarships
36 Project Grants

See below for the full list of successful applicants.

Future Leader Fellowships

Future Leader Fellowships support cardiovascular researchers as they build their research capacity and become leaders of research groups.

The Fellowships provide generous salary and project funding to facilitate high impact research outcomes.

Name	Administering Institution	State	Award Title
Dr Peter Psaltis	The University of Adelaide	SA	Using anti-inflammatory approaches to treat hardened arteries and prevent heart disease.
Professor Dominique Cadilhac	Monash University	VIC	Improving the cost-effectiveness of care and outcomes of stroke.
Dr Connie Wong	Monash University	VIC	Novel strategies to improve stroke outcome
Dr Yung-Chih Chen	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Testing Drug Targets for Atherosclerosis: Finding a Cure for Heart Attack
Dr Alison Care	The University of Adelaide	SA	Reducing cardiovascular disease by preventing preeclampsia
Associate Professor Andre La Gerche	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Early detection of heart injury with novel exercise imaging
Dr Gonzalo del Monte Nieto	Monash University	VIC	New strategies to study the formation of the heart in embryos and heart disease causation in babies.
Dr Shaun Gregory	Monash University	VIC	Decreasing Complications with Mechanical Hearts
Associate Professor Jacqui Webster	University of New South Wales	NSW	Strengthening advocacy and research impact to improve food and health policy
Associate Professor Natasha Lannin	La Trobe University	VIC	Development and implementation of evidence-based stroke rehabilitation
Associate Professor Yuerui Lu	Australian National University	ACT	Next-generation High-throughput 3D Microscopy for Cardiovascular Imaging
Dr Kathryn Backholer	Deakin University	VIC	Food Pricing as a policy lever to improve cardiovascular health
Dr Judith Katzenellenbogen	University of Western Australia	WA	Take heart: Building evidence to support the cardiovascular health of Indigenous Australians
Associate Professor Gary Sacks	Deakin University	VIC	Policies for creating healthier food environments: increasing evidence and accountability for action
Dr Matthew Pase	Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health	VIC	Vascular contributions to dementia
Dr Melanie White	University of Sydney	NSW	How the diabetic heart is ‘primed’ to fail following cardiovascular stress
Dr Jeroen Hendriks	The University of Adelaide	SA	Specialized AF-Clinics for patients with Atrial Fibrillation: iCARE-AF Clinics
Associate Professor Rohina Joshi	University of New South Wales	NSW	Strengthening the health workforce for cardiovascular disease prevention and control
Dr Seana Gall	University of Tasmania	TAS	Improving the prevention and management of stroke

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Postdoctoral Fellowships encourage and support early-career cardiovascular researchers to develop research skills and independence.

The Fellowships help researchers further their career as they become more competitive for future funding from a range of sources.

Name	Administering Institution	State	Award Title
Dr Christopher Wong	The University of Adelaide	SA	A new approach to weight loss and risk factor management in patients with atrial fibrillation
Dr Adam Brown	Monash University	VIC	Predicting rapid coronary heart disease progression through blood flow simulations
Dr James McFadyen	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Developing new treatments to improve outcomes after heart attack
Dr Nitesh Nerlekar	Monash University	VIC	Measuring Fat Inflammation: A New Marker for Heart Disease
Dr Cher-Rin Chong	The University of Adelaide	SA	Novel strategy to prevent cardiac complications in Type 2 diabetes
Ms Dorothea Dumuid	University of South Australia	SA	Building your best day for cardiovascular health
Ms Karice Hyun	University of Sydney	NSW	High-dose influenza vaccination and prevention of cardiovascular events (INFLUENCE)
Dr Lewan Parker	Deakin University	VIC	Identifying microvascular dysfunction as a novel mechanism of poor health in heart failure patients.
Dr Sandeep Prabhu	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Investigating the role of myocardial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Dr Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam	Deakin University	VIC	Information technology supported Smart Home system for patients with Heart Failure.
Dr Candice Delcourt	University of New South Wales	NSW	Improving stroke care in regional and rural Australia
Dr Aleksandr Voskoboinik	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Alcohol abstinence: effects on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence & other cardiovascular outcomes
Dr Jiawen Li	The University of Adelaide	SA	Molecular and microstructural imaging in arteries—a new tool to study and prevent heart attacks
Dr Stephanie Partridge	University of Sydney	NSW	Prevention of obesity in young people using text messages
Dr Danielle Kamato	The University of Queensland	QLD	A novel link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease
Dr Ellie Paige	Australian National University	ACT	Improving cardiovascular disease prevention
Dr Xia Wang	University of New South Wales	NSW	Generating new evidence to better guide stroke management
Miss Kathy Trieu	University of New South Wales	NSW	Strategies to optimise sodium and potassium intake to lower blood pressure and cardiovascular risk
Dr Rebecca Leech	Deakin University	VIC	Understanding the role of eating patterns in cardiovascular health
Dr Rebecca Wyse	University of Newcastle	NSW	Using online canteen ordering systems to reduce dietary risks for Cardiovascular Disease
Dr Laura Bienvenu	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Targeting platelets to break down blood clots - sex specific treatments
Dr Caleb Ferguson	Western Sydney University	NSW	INFORM-AF

Health Professional Scholarships

Health Professional Scholarships support cardiovascular health professionals to undertake a PhD.

The Scholarships encourage health professionals to become active in research while continuing their cardiovascular health practice.

Name	Administering Institution	State	Award Title
Dr Elizabeth Paratz	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Optimizing the genetic and forensic analysis of sudden cardiac death
Dr Christopher Wong	The University of Sydney	NSW	Coronary physiology in the cardiac catheter laboratory
Dr David Chieng	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	The role of left atrium wall catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation
Dr Praveen Indraratna	University of New South Wales	NSW	Total Cardiac Care - A randomised trial of a smartphone application and care model.
Dr Samer Noaman	University of Melbourne	VIC	Microcirculation in Ischaemic and Non-Ischaemic Heart Disease
Dr Benjamin Moore	The University of Sydney	NSW	Abnormal heart rhythms in complex adult cAbnormal heart rhythms in complex adult congenital heart disease. congenital heart disease.
Dr Renata Libianto	Monash University	VIC	High blood pressure caused by hormonal imbalance - how common is it, and how do we detect it?

Vanguard Grants

Name	Administering Institution	State	Award Title
Professor Graham Hillis	University of Western Australia	WA	The Aspirin in Mechanical Heart Valves pilot trial
Dr Francine Marques	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Food supplement as treatment for high blood pressure
Professor Roger Evans	Monash University	VIC	Prevention of kidney injury during open heart surgery
Professor Jonathan Golledge	James Cook University	QLD	Assessment of the efficacy of a novel treatment for blocked leg arteries
Professor Igor Konstantinov	Murdoch Childrens Research Institute	VIC	Targeted single nuclei RNA-sequencing for the prediction of heart transplantation rejection
Professor Gemma Figtree	University of Sydney	NSW	Blockade of Orexin Signalling in Hypertension (The BOSH Study)
Dr Christopher Wong	The University of Adelaide	SA	A new approach to weight loss and risk factor management in patients with atrial fibrillation
Dr Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam	Deakin University	VIC	Wearable blood pressure monitoring devices to improve blood pressure control.
Dr Francesco Sanfilippo	University of Western Australia	WA	Can inflammation predict adverse cardiovascular events in the population
Professor Clara Chow	University of Sydney	NSW	Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering for Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation
Professor Dominique Cadilhac	Monash University	VIC	Pre-hospital stroke care: Return on investment of the Melbourne Mobile Stroke Unit ambulance
Professor Michael Cowley	Monash University	VIC	Activation of the cold receptor system in overweight humans improves cardiovascular outcomes?
Associate Professor Kim Greaves	Australian National University	ACT	A GP software system to monitor cardiovascular disease risk and improve treatment
Associate Professor Barbora de Courten	Monash University	VIC	Carnosine for Peripheral Vascular Disease
Dr Kazuaki Negishi	University of Tasmania	TAS	Diagnostic Ultrasound with contrast agent for non-invasive treatment for Heart Attack
Dr Emily Atkins	University of New South Wales	NSW	Dose administration aids for delivering low-dose combination blood pressure lowering therapy
Dr Ashley Webb	Peninsula Health	VIC	Stop for the op & stop for life
Associate Professor Andre La Gerche	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Breathlessness in systemic sclerosis - quantifying the contribution of cardiac fibrosis
Professor Markus Schlaich	University of Western Australia	WA	Inhibition of low grade inflammation in the brain to reduce blood pressure
Dr Frances Batchelor	National Ageing Research Institute	VIC	CardiacRehabPlus: Innovation to improve outcomes for TIA and cardiac rehabilitation patients
Professor Judith Finn	Curtin University	WA	Strategic placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public locations.
Dr Siva Namachivayam	Murdoch Childrens Research Institute	VIC	Peritoneal dialysis after cardiac surgery in children
Professor Richard Day	University of New South Wales	NSW	Vascular effects of empagliflozin in chronic kidney disease
Associate Professor Nicholas Gilson	The University of Queensland	QLD	Can a high intensity interval training program (Truck-Fit) improve the heart health of truck drivers
Dr Rachael Cordina	University of Sydney	NSW	FONTAN Personalised Exercise Prescription at yoUr Place Trial
Dr Cara Winnall	University of Western Australia	WA	The ULYCES Study
Dr Nitesh Nerlekar	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Cardiac Fat and Coronary Artery Disease
Dr Andy Haynes	University of Western Australia	WA	Does physical activity early in life have a lasting impact on heart size, function and health?
Professor Trevor Mori	University of Western Australia	WA	Aldosterone and the heart
Associate Professor Raj Puranik	University of Sydney	NSW	Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Cardiac MRI (DiCOM Study)
Professor Stephen Harrap	Melbourne Health	VIC	Better clinical evaluation of syncope
Dr Emma McMahon	Menzies School of Health Research	NT	Making healthy food choices the easy choice for people in remote Indigenous communities
Dr Carissa Bonner	University of Sydney	NSW	Randomised trial of an online consumer engagement tool for CVD risk assessment and decision making
Dr Helen McGuire	University of Sydney	NSW	Discovery of Novel Markers of Inflammation for Earlier Diagnosis of Heart Disease
Dr Camilla Hoyos	University of Sydney	NSW	Colchicine and cognition in coronary artery disease.
Dr Barbara Murphy	Australian Centre for Heart Health	VIC	Enhancing the uptake and acceptability of cardiac rehabilitation for women

Vanguard Grants give funding to test the feasibility of innovative concepts in public health or health services, including clinical service delivery. They are available to researchers for a concept study with the potential to improve cardiovascular health in the short term.

Partnership Engagement Grants

Partnership Engagement Grants (PEG) enable researchers to partner with the Heart Foundation to apply for NHMRC, ARC and other funding, for large-scale cardiovascular research projects.

Of the 2018 PEG applications the Heart Foundation has agreed to partner in five projects.

Name	Administering Institution	State	Award Title
Professor Yves d'Udekem	Murdoch Childrens Research Institute	VIC	A lifeline for single ventricle conditions
Professor Sophia Zoungas	Monash University	VIC	STAREE Life –Statins and lifestyle risk factors in older adults
Professor Robyn Clark	The Flinders University of South Australia	SA	The Country Heart Attack Prevention (CHAP) Project: A four step model of care and clinical pathway for the translation of cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention guidelines into practice for rural and remote patients.
Dr Carissa Bonner	University of Sydney	NSW	Implementing evidence-based guidelines and shared decision-making tools to improve cardiovascular disease prevention
Professor Christopher Reid	Curtin University	WA	Improving outcomes for people who receive heart values - a value-based care approach

Collaboration and Exchange Awards

To be announced mid Dec 2018.

Recognising Australia’s best and brightest heart health researchers

We are pleased to announce the awards for the year’s most outstanding and innovative applications.

Ross Hohnen Award for Research Excellence Vanguard Grants

This award recognises 2018’s most outstanding and innovative Vanguard Grant application. The recipient receives an additional $10,000 on top of the Grant.

The award recognises:

Clinical Professor Graham Hillis, University of Western Australia (WA)

Heart Foundation Paul Korner Innovation Award

This award recognises 2018’s most innovative successful Future Leader Fellowship and Postdoctoral Fellowship applications. The recipients receive an additional $20,000 on top of the Fellowship.

The award recognises:

Future Leader Fellowships

Dr Connie Wong, Monash University (VIC)
Associate Professor Yuerui Lu, Australian National University (ACT)

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Ms Dorothea Dumuid, University of South Australia (SA)
Dr James McFadyen, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (VIC)

New $5 million stroke prevention grant

This one-off grant has been offered to researcher who have demonstrated their work as innovative, internationally significant research that would showcase Australia as a leader in stroke prevention.

Two Australian researchers will share a $5 million grant to develop ground-breaking research on the prevention of stroke.

The $5 million bequest will be shared by:

Professor Michael Good, from Griffith University, Queensland, to develop a stroke vaccine to prevent Streptococcal A infection which can result in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and result in RHD-related stroke. This research could lead to a simple childhood vaccine to dramatically reduce RHD related strokes.
Professor Sophia Zoungas, Monash University, Melbourne, to investigate the effectiveness of statins on older stroke patients (aged 70-plus) and to identify key stroke predictors and neurovascular changes in the brain structure in older age.

The funding has been made available through a generous bequest.

The grant is one of the largest single research grants offered by the Heart Foundation and is separate to the annual funding of research awards.

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