OCHRe News
28 March 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:
Scholarships & Bursaries:
www.ochrenetwork.org/opportunities
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 open 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.
Opens | 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.
Interactive Sessions will include:
Sharpening Your Presentation
Deliver a 3–5 minute presentation and enhance your communication skills in a supportive spaceResearch Leadership
Enjoy insights from leading Indigenous researchers and scholars on their research journeysBuilding Global Connections
Network with Indigenous PhD scholars from around the worldNavigating 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, Gala dinner, flights
OCHRe Convocation | 29 – 30 October Brisbane
Voices of Country: Research, Resilience and Renewal
Auora Foundation
Winter Program now open!
The Aurora Internships Program provides full-time or part-time equivalent paid internships for 4-6 weeks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interns at organisations working to support Indigenous communities. Through the Internships Program, Aurora builds Indigenous leadership, advances Indigenous employability and strengthens the capabilities of the Indigenous sector. Internships are widely spread across a number of career paths that include the corporate sector, government, social welfare and Native Title organisations.
Applications for Auora’s Winter 2025 internship round now open | March 1 - 31, 2025.
For further information, click here.
Scholarship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
There are many scholarship opportunities, both in Australia and overseas, advertised through the Indigenous Pathways Portal on the Aurora Foundation Website on the link below.
Indigenous Pathways Portal | Aurora Foundation
University of New South Wales | PhD Opportunity
First Nations Infectious Disease Point of Care Testing
Help to understand the impact of infectious disease molecular point of care testing in regional and remote First Nations communities.
Eligibility
Domestic PhD applicants only.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only
Interested Candidates should email the following with subject "POC Scholarship" to Dr Belinda Hengel at bhengel@kirby.unsw.edu.au by 31 March 2025.
For further information, click here.
The University of Melbourne
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
PhD Opportunities in Indigenous Health, Epidemiology and Applied Biostatistics
The Aboriginal-led Indigenous Epidemiology and Health Unit, headed by Professor Sandra Eades, in the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics at The University of Melbourne has several opportunities for talented students to undertake PhD’s in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. The Centre has scholarships for appropriately qualified students to commence research in 2025 in this exciting area, and additional scholarship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
For details, and to submit your application, click here.
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences | PhD Scholarships
Two exciting PhD scholarship opportunity aligned with an MRFF funded project to foster a healthy start to life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
This opportunity is only for domestic applicants with valid working rights.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are automatically eligible for UoM PhD scholarship stipend of $52,300 pa. Additionally, a top-up of $15,000 (+$5,000 travel support) pa funded by the Relighting the Firesticks project will be offered by the Indigenous Health Equity Unit, for a total of $72,300 pa.
For details, click here.
Katherine West Health Board (KWHB)
PhD opportunity | Evaluating the Impact of Health Coaching in Aboriginal Primary Health Care (PHC)
Location: Darwin or Katherine
Salary: KWHB – negotiable based on experience
Chronic diseases disproportionately affect Aboriginal Australians and are responsible for more than 70% of the gap in life expectancy. These conditions can be managed effectively in PHC; however, Aboriginal service-users have identified inadequate self-management support as a key gap in the current PHC service model. This is compounded by high staff turnover of non-Aboriginal staff and subsequent experiences of culturally unsafe care.
During 2025, KWHB will be implementing a new health career entry qualification for Aboriginal residents in remote communities – Aboriginal Health Coaching.
A PhD opportunity exists to assist with the evaluation of the implementation of health coaching using developmental evaluation and implementation science methods. It will be conducted in partnership and under the guidance of Aboriginal leaders throughout the KWHB communities and is well supported through a panel of experienced stakeholders across academia, policy and PHC practice.
For further information, contact: sinon.cooney@kwhb.com.au (CEO KWHB)
Webinars, Workshops and Professional Development
Health Translation SA
Implementation Science Network Forum
Date: 31 March | 2.30 – 4.30 pm ACDT In-person
For further information, click here.
Consumer and Community Involvement in Research Masterclass
Date: 8 April | 0930 – 2.30 pm ACST
Location: SAHMRI (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute) - Auditorium ground floor
For further information, click here.
Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH)
Theme | Listen and Learn: Co-Design and Innovation in Indigenous Health
The Aboriginal Leadership Group at MACH invites you to the inaugural MACH Aboriginal Health Showcase. This free event, available for attendance in-person or online, will highlight Aboriginal-led programs and initiatives addressing health priorities across our Community.
They are currently seeking presenters. For full details on how to submit an abstract see the MACH website.
Date: 1 April | 08.20 – 16.00 AEDT Online and in-person
For further information, click here.
University of Queensland Poche Centre
Pathways Program to a PhD: Doing Research for Mob
Ever thought about further studies to expand your career opportunities in the health and wellbeing space? Are you working in the health and human services industry and looking for a change or a new challenge? Do you want to learn about doing research with your community? Have you ever wondered about research and what's involved in a PhD?
Then UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Pathways Program to a PhD is for you.
To register your interest in the next Pathways Program to a PhD, which will be held on 19-21 August 2025, please complete the Pathways to a PhD expression of interest form.
When: 19 - 21 August 2025
Where: The University of Queensland, St Lucia and Toowong Campuses.
If you would like to learn more, contact poche.hdr.pathways@uq.edu.au.
Link to website here.
Child and Adolescent Health Services (CAHS) WA
Research Skills Seminar Series 2025
CAHS offers a range of research skills seminars throughout the year. You can attend in person or online.
Some of the topics include: Ethics Processes for Clinical Research in WA, Research Governance , Addressing the most common MRFF criteria, Introductory Biostatistics, Conducting Systematic Reviews, Rapid Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature, Involving Aboriginal Communities in Research
Check out the full program for the year here.
Invitation to EMCRs to attend one day workshop – Intellectual Property Strategy
Delivered by FB Rice in Collaboration with ASHRA
The Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator is joining with leading Australian Intellectual Property firm, FB Rice, to provide a full day workshop on intellectual property strategy and patents. This workshop will provide tailored advice to support EMCRs in protecting their research innovations, avoiding disclosures, and building a patent portfolio to attract investors.
The workshop will be held at the FB Rice offices in Melbourne CBD on Monday the 19th of May 2025. Workshop sessions will include seminars, Q&A panels, and the opportunity to seek individual advice from patent attorneys.
The session is suitable for EMCRs from across the ASHRA network, with capacity for 25 people. EMCRs who have attended previous ASHRA translation and commercialisation workshops are welcome to attend as we seek to build the ASHRA EMCR network.
WHAT | Intellectual Property Strategy Workshop
WHERE | FB Rice Offices, Melbourne CBD
WHEN | Monday the 19th of May 2025
COST | Free. Travel expenses (flights and one night’s accommodation) will be covered for those attending from outside of Melbourne.
If you would like to attend, please contact zclayton@georgeinstitute.org.au with a brief description of how this workshop may be of interest to you and confirmation of your status as an EMCR.
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.
CSANZ (Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand)
4th Indigenous Cardiovascular Health Conference 2025 | 17 – 19 June Sydney
Travelling Fellowships available to First Nations people | closes 12 May
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
Indigenous Allied Health Australia
24 – 26 November | Sunshine Coast
Tradition to Transformation: Leading in Allied Health
For more information and to register, click here.
SING Australia | Summer Internship for Indigenous Peoples in Genomics
University of Queensland Poche Centre
Pathways Program to a PhD: Doing Research for Mob
Ever thought about further studies to expand your career opportunities in the health and wellbeing space? Are you working in the health and human services industry and looking for a change or a new challenge? Do you want to learn about doing research with your community? Have you ever wondered about research and what's involved in a PhD?
Then UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Pathways Program to a PhD is for you.
To register your interest in the next Pathways Program to a PhD, which will be held on 19-21 August 2025, please complete the Pathways to a PhD expression of interest form.
When: 19 - 21 August 2025
Where: The University of Queensland, St Lucia and Toowong Campuses.
If you would like to learn more, contact poche.hdr.pathways@uq.edu.au.
Link to website here.
Health Translation SA
Implementation Science Network Forum
Date: 31 March | 2.30 – 4.30 pm ACDT
In-person
For further information, click here.
Consumer and Community Involvement in Research Masterclass
Date: 8 April | 0930 – 2.30 pm ACST
Location: SAHMRI (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute) - Auditorium ground floor
For further information, click here.
Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH)
Theme | Listen and Learn: Co-Design and Innovation in Indigenous Health
The Aboriginal Leadership Group at MACH invites you to the inaugural MACH Aboriginal Health Showcase. This free event, available for attendance in-person or online, will highlight Aboriginal-led programs and initiatives addressing health priorities across our Community.
They are currently seeking presenters. For full details on how to submit an abstract see the MACH website.
Date: 1 April | 08.20 – 16.00 AEDT
Online and in-person
For further information, click here.
University of Queensland Poche Centre
Pathways Program to a PhD: Doing Research for Mob
Ever thought about further studies to expand your career opportunities in the health and wellbeing space? Are you working in the health and human services industry and looking for a change or a new challenge? Do you want to learn about doing research with your community? Have you ever wondered about research and what's involved in a PhD?
Then UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Pathways Program to a PhD is for you.
To register your interest in the next Pathways Program to a PhD, which will be held on 19-21 August 2025, please complete the Pathways to a PhD expression of interest form.
When: 19 - 21 August 2025
Where: The University of Queensland, St Lucia and Toowong Campuses.
If you would like to learn more, contact poche.hdr.pathways@uq.edu.au.
Link to website here.
Child and Adolescent Health Services (CAHS) WA
Research Skills Seminar Series 2025
CAHS offers a range of research skills seminars throughout the year. You can attend in person or online.
Some of the topics include: Ethics Processes for Clinical Research in WA, Research Governance , Addressing the most common MRFF criteria, Introductory Biostatistics, Conducting Systematic Reviews, Rapid Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature, Involving Aboriginal Communities in Research
Check out the full program for the year here.
Invitation to EMCRs to attend one day workshop – Intellectual Property Strategy
Delivered by FB Rice in Collaboration with ASHRA
The Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator is joining with leading Australian Intellectual Property firm, FB Rice, to provide a full day workshop on intellectual property strategy and patents. This workshop will provide tailored advice to support EMCRs in protecting their research innovations, avoiding disclosures, and building a patent portfolio to attract investors.
The workshop will be held at the FB Rice offices in Melbourne CBD on Monday the 19th of May 2025. Workshop sessions will include seminars, Q&A panels, and the opportunity to seek individual advice from patent attorneys.
The session is suitable for EMCRs from across the ASHRA network, with capacity for 25 people. EMCRs who have attended previous ASHRA translation and commercialisation workshops are welcome to attend as we seek to build the ASHRA EMCR network.
WHAT | Intellectual Property Strategy Workshop
WHERE | FB Rice Offices, Melbourne CBD
WHEN | Monday the 19th of May 2025
COST | Free. Travel expenses (flights and one night’s accommodation) will be covered for those attending from outside of Melbourne.
If you would like to attend, please contact zclayton@georgeinstitute.org.au with a brief description of how this workshop may be of interest to you and confirmation of your status as an EMCR.
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.
PPHRI – 2024 Chronic Respiratory Conditions Grant Opportunity
The MRFF Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative (PPHRI) aims to enable or support research into new ways to address preventive and public health issues in Australia.
Minimum data due | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 02 April 2025
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) 30 April 2025
For further information, click here.
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.
National Health and Medical Research Council
Ideas Grants 2025
The objective of the Ideas Grant scheme is to support innovative research projects addressing a specific question(s).
Minimum data due | 5.00 pm (ACT local time) on 9 April 2025
Application closes | 5.00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 7 May 2025
For further information, click here.
Targeted Call for Research: Anal Cancer 2025
The TCR: Anal Cancer 2025 grant opportunity seeks to fund research aimed at improving awareness and to provide further guidance for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of anal cancer for both consumers and healthcare professionals.
Minimum data due | 5.00 pm (ACT local time) on 30 April 2025
Application closes | 5.00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 14 May 2025
For further information, click here.
Development Grants 2025 for funding 2026
The intended outcomes of the Development Grant scheme are: increased rates of translation of health and medical research into commercial outcomes, resulting in improved health and medical knowledge
Minimum data due | 5:00 pm (ACT Local time) on 14 May 2025
Application closes | 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) on 11 June 2025
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.
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:
PRC1 – 19 March 2025
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.
Employment
Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research | University of Technology Sydney
National Agreement On Closing The Gap: Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander-Led Review
Community Researcher Opportunities
Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is conducting the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led independent Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, including the Priority Reforms.
The aim is to understand the lived experiences and views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities who have been engaged in Closing the Gap.
Community research activities will be held in the six Closing the Gap place-based community partnership sites around 3 – 28 March 2025: Tamworth (NSW), Gippsland (Vic), Doomadgee (Qld), East Kimberley (WA), Western Suburbs of Adelaide (SA), and Maningrida and Homelands (NT). For the Review, Jumbunna will engage, recruit and train local First Nations community researchers in each of the six place-based partnership communities.
Each Community Researcher will be paid for up to 15 full working days over an approximately six-week period. Jumbunna pays a standard rate of $100 per hour for First Nations community researchers. Training as required in Indigenous Research Methods and CASI will be provided by Jumbunna. Training in Indigenous Research Methods and other methods appropriate for the Review may also be provided.
Contact | Assoc Professor Kirsten Gray Kirsten.gray@uts.edu.au or Professor Cecilia Anthony cecilia.anthony@uts.edu.au to apply
Heart Research Institute
The Djurali Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peaope and Communities
The Djurali Group focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, which is not just about the physical wellbeing of an individual but the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole community, involving
looking at all aspects of health, including social and cultural determinants, health promotion and impactful outcomes. The Djurali Group turns research into tangible and sustainable change in community, in healthcare, and in public policy. The Djurali Group are recruiting for the below positions.
Group Leader, Research - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
The Djurali Group at HRI is looking for a senior researcher in the field of Indigenous health or equivalent.
Part-time or full-time will be considered. Workplace location negotiable but Sydney based is preferred.
For further information, click here.
Head of Operations - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Location | Newtown, Sydney NSW Full time
The Djurali Head of Operations has overall responsibility for leading the Djurali Group including governance, strategy, HR, finance and program delivery.
For further information, click here.
Research Assistant - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Location | Newtown, Sydney NSW Full time
The successful applicant will be part of the Djurali team and be responsible for the delivery of research projects impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Research Assistant will be involved in the conception, design, and implementation of diverse research projects in the areas of Indigenous health and translational research. The Research Assistant reports to the Djurali Group Leader and has no direct reports.
For further information, click here.
REMEMBER: If you have news you would like to share or promote a program(s) from your organisation, please send it through to the team at ochre@uq.edu.au by Wednesday 2pm AEST. OR, enter it directly into the OCHRe Website here.
