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.
2017 Research Funding Offers
The Heart Foundation is pleased to announce that 79 new awards have been offered to support Australia’s best and brightest researchers to investigate the causes, treatment and prevention of heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.
More than 370 applications for funding were received with a success rate of 21%. Please see the tables below for the full list of successful applications.
As a charity and the largest non-government funder of heart disease research in Australia, the Heart Foundation is proud to invest in research to help all Australians have better heart health.
Since 1962, we have invested more than $570 million (in today's value) in cardiovascular research.
Recognising research excellence
We are also pleased to announce awards for the year’s most outstanding and innovative applications.
Ross Hohnen Award for Research Excellence
The Ross Hohnen Award for Research Excellence recognises each year’s most outstanding and innovative Vanguard Grant application, and provides $10,000 on top of the Grant.
- Associate Professor Yves D'Udekem, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Heart Foundation Paul Korner Innovation Award
The Heart Foundation Paul Korner Innovation Award is given to the most innovative successful Future Leader Fellowship and Postdoctoral Fellowship applications each year, and provides a single payment of $20,000 on top of the Fellowship.
Future Leader Fellowships
- Dr Lauren May, Monash University
- Dr Xiaowei Wang, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Mr Man Lee, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
- Dr Kavitha Muthiah, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Limited
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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 Brian Drew
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
VIC
Investigating new therapeutic strategies for heart failure
Dr Jelena Rnjak Kovacina
University of New South Wales
NSW
Bioengineered vascularised cardiac patches
Dr Yugeesh Lankadeva
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
VIC
Maintaining blood pressure while protecting the kidney during open heart surgery and sepsis
Dr Renjing Liu
University of Sydney
NSW
Targeting TET2 to treat aortic aneurysms
Dr Lauren May
Monash University
VIC
G protein-coupled receptor context-specific biased agonism to treat heart disease
Dr Caroline Miller
The University of Adelaide
SA
Reducing over consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Australia
Dr Jonathan Mynard
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
VIC
Improving assessment of cardiovascular risk in children and young adults
Dr Kazuaki Negishi
University of Tasmania
TAS
Advanced cardiovascular imaging for early diagnosis and treatment
Dr Nathan Palpant
The University of Queensland
QLD
Cardiovascular Development and Disease: Discovery science to translational applications
Associate Professor David Peiris
University of New South Wales
NSW
Maximising cardiovascular disease prevention in primary care for underserved populations
Dr Nicola Ridgers
Deakin University
VIC
Addressing the challenges of promoting youth physical activity
Dr Dion Stub
Monash University
VIC
Improving outcomes following cardiac arrest
Associate Professor Aaron Sverdlov
The University of Newcastle
NSW
Bench-to-bedside approach to improving management and outcomes for patients with heart failure
Dr Jenny Veitch
Deakin University
VIC
How can parks be improved so as to encourage physical activity for the prevention of heart disease?
Dr Helena Viola
University of Western Australia
WA
Mitochondria and cardiovascular pathology
Dr Xiaowei Wang
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
VIC
Diagnostic, therapeutic and theranostic techniques via molecular ultrasound imaging
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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 Emily Atkins
University of New South Wales
NSW
Is ultra-low-dose combination blood pressure lowering cost-effective, acceptable, and tolerable?
Dr Gillian Blue
University of Sydney
NSW
The role of genetic burden in congenital heart disease and translation into patient care
Dr Maria Brosnan
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
VIC
Determining how genetics influence cardiac remodelling, using exercise as an environmental stress
Dr Kristin Carson
University of South Australia
SA
iSNAP (interactive Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical activity) program for youth
Dr Rosanne Freak Poli
Monash University
VIC
Social isolation and cardiovascular risk in older Australians
Ms Marita Hefler
Menzies School of Health Research
NT
Reducing smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to help close the gap
Ms Maria Jelinic
La Trobe University
VIC
B cells and hypertension
Ms Claire Johnson
University of New South Wales
NSW
Assessing the impact of food policy interventions to improve diet in the Pacific Islands
Dr Sanjeewa Kularatna
Queensland University of Technology
QLD
Development of new methods to accurately measure heart disease outcomes
Mr Man Lee
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
VIC
Bioenergetics of macrophages in atherosclerosis
Dr Thomas Lung
University of New South Wales
NSW
Simulating the long-term health economic impact of overweight, obesity and related comorbidities
Dr Eli Moore
University of South Australia
SA
Non-clotting and pro-healing coating for vascular devices
Dr Kavitha Muthiah
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Limited
NSW
Personalising Antiplatelet Therapy in Left Ventricular Assist Device Supported Patients
Dr Thao Minh Nguyen
The University of Adelaide
SA
Do local stem cells in blood vessels contribute to the hardening of arteries in atherosclerosis?
Dr Kristina Petersen
University of New South Wales
NSW
A practical new method of measuring population salt intake
Dr Ying Wang
University of New South Wales
NSW
Cardiovascular outcomes after acute kidney failure
Dr Myles Young
The University of Newcastle
NSW
Testing an online program to reduce cardiovascular risk in overweight and obese men with depression
Dr Sarah Zaman
Monash University
VIC
Prevention of Sudden Death in Heart Attack Survivors
-
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 Robert Anderson
Melbourne Health
VIC
Atrial fibrillation and obstructive sleep apnoea
Dr Laura Fong
University of Sydney
NSW
Long-term outcomes after repair of complete AVSD
Dr Sonali Gnanenthiran
ANZAC Research Institute
NSW
The Effect of Ageing on Cardiovascular Disease Prediction
Dr Abdul Ihdayhid
Monash University
VIC
Clinical Utility and Feasibility of Point of Care CT-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve
Dr Anoop Koshy
University of Melbourne
VIC
Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Advanced Liver Disease and After Liver Transplantation
Dr Hui Yin Lim
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
VIC
Novel coagulation biomarkers in high-risk cardiovascular population
Dr Siva Namachivayam
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
VIC
Trial of early peritoneal dialysis after cardiac surgery in children
Dr Felix Ng
University of Melbourne
VIC
Maximizing Stroke Treatment Outcome After Reperfusion
Dr Satish Ramkumar
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
VIC
Understanding atrial fibrillation risk and development of a mass screening model
-
Vanguard Grants
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.
Name
Administering Institution
State
Award Title
Dr Kathryn Backholer
Deakin University
VIC
Monitoring the price of foods and beverages in Australia
Dr Jocasta Ball
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
VIC
Developing a targeted screening program for the detection of unknown atrial fibrillation
Associate Professor Claudine Bonder
University of South Australia
SA
Revolutionising vascular devices with a novel non-clotting and prohealing coating
Professor Andrew Boyle
The University of Newcastle
NSW
Reduction of End Diastolic Pressure in Acute Myocardial Infarction. The RED PAMI trial
Dr Kristen Bubb
University of Sydney
NSW
Clinical trial of a novel treatment for peripheral arterial disease
Associate Professor Yves D'Udekem
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
VIC
Fontan ACE inhibitor randomised controlled trial for nephropathy
Dr Adrian Elliott
The University of Adelaide
SA
The STEP-ICD Study
Associate Professor Coralie English
The University of Newcastle
NSW
Stand up for your blood pressure after stroke
Dr Joshua Francis
Menzies School of Health Research
NT
Rapid echo detection of rheumatic heart disease
Professor Robyn Gallagher
University of Sydney
NSW
Cognitive impairment in heart attack survivors
Dr Kathryn Hayward
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
VIC
VESPUR: Phase II Trial
Professor Graham Hillis
University of Western Australia
WA
Reducing heart rate to reduce the complications of diabetes
Dr Melinda Hutchesson
The University of Newcastle
NSW
Be Healthe for your Heart: Preventing CVD among women with a history of pre-eclampsia
Professor Rachel Huxley
La Trobe University
VIC
How well are people with coronary heart disease managed in primary care?
Dr Hannah Keage
University of South Australia
SA
Cognitive training to prevent cognitive impairment after heart surgery in older adults
Professor Michelle Miller
The Flinders University of South Australia
SA
Health Online for Teens: An Australian technology based lifestyle program for obese adolescents
Professor Sharon Naismith
University of Sydney
NSW
TRIDENT-Cog
Dr Lee Nedkoff
University of Western Australia
WA
The burden of coronary heart disease in younger people: evidence for cardiovascular prevention
Associate Professor Christopher Neil
University of Melbourne
VIC
Bio-Electrical Stimulation To Facilitate Improved Training in HF (BESTFIT HF)
Dr Anna Ralph
Menzies School of Health Research
NT
WSP Plus: Reducing the risk of Streptococcal infections for ARF/RHD patients and their households
Dr Isuru Ranasinghe
The University of Adelaide
SA
Costs of Early Heart Failure Readmissions
Professor Chris Semsarian
University of Sydney
NSW
Management of Sudden Cardiac Death Families
Associate Professor James Sharman
University of Tasmania
TAS
Clinical value of accurate blood pressure measurement
Dr Dion Stub
Monash University
VIC
Neurorehabilitation for cognitive impairment after cardiac arrest: A randomised controlled trial
Professor Zhonghua Sun
Curtin University of Technology
WA
Three-dimensional printed models for planning and guidance of congenital heart disease treatment
Dr Natalie Ward
Curtin University of Technology
WA
Natural products to lower cholesterol
Dr Jun Yang
Monash University
VIC
Finding a curable cause of high blood pressure
Profesor Bu Yeap
University of Western Australia
WA
Muscle mass, physical activity and cardiovascular health following bariatric surgery
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Collaboration and Exchange Awards
Collaboration and Exchange awards help Heart Foundation funded scholars and postdoctoral fellows visit other research facilities, across Australia and overseas, to collaborate and share knowledge.
Name
Administering Institution
State
Award Title
Dr Elizabeth Barr
Menzies School of Health Research
NT
Knowledge transfer on cardiovascular disease risk scores in Indigenous populations
Ms Genevieve Coorey
The George Institute for Global Health
NSW
Attend 2018 EuroHeartCare Conference and visit Edinburgh Napier University
Dr Adrian Elliott
The University of Adelaide
SA
Autonomic Evaluation in Patients with Cardiac Arrhythmias: Effects of Weight Loss and Exerc
Dr Lining Ju
University of Sydney
NSW
Develop high-throughput single cell analysis for diabetic platelet prothrombotic phenotype
Dr Sze Lin Yoong
The University of Newcastle
NSW
Visit to Professor Dianne Ward from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
-
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 2015 PEG applications the Heart Foundation has agreed to partner in two projects.
Name
Administering Institution
State
Award Title
Professor Mohammed Bennamoun
University of Western Australia
WA
Development, validation, testing and refinement of deep learning networks for identification of high risk CT coronary angiography features
Associate Professor Carol Hodgson
Monash University
VIC
Improving Outcomes for Patients Requiring Extracorporeal Life Support
-
NSW CVRN Women and Heart Disease Grant
The NSW CVRN Women and Heart Disease Grant is for a research project which has been designed to focus specifically on heart disease in women from current NSW CVRN members.
Name
Administering Institution
State
Award Title
Professor Emily Banks
The Sax Institute
NSW
Large-scale evidence to quantify and address gender-based variation in cardiovascular disease