SPHERE launches its 2024 Big Ideas Health Services Research Grant Scheme
SPHERE has unveiled the 2024 Big Ideas Health Services Research Grant Scheme, aimed at catalysing transformative healthcare solutions through collaborative research.
The 2024 grant seeks proposals that tackle pressing healthcare challenges, aligning with SPHERE's priority areas identified by its Council. These include:
1. Transition of care, suggested areas of interest include:
- Transition from paediatric to adult services
- Transition from justice health to primary care
- Mental health care for war veterans and armed services personnel
- Care for priority populations such as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, homeless individuals and LGBTQI+ people.
2. Building sustainable prevention systems across diverse communities, environments, and determinants of care
3. Models of home-based or virtual care
4. Novel models of primary care, suggested areas of interest include:
- Interface between aged care and access to primary care
- Audiology and Allied Health models
- Ageing primary care workforce
- Nurse practitioners in primary care
- Dental care and its relationship with primary care, nutrition and health impacts
"Our goal with our 2024 Big Ideas Health Services Research Grant Scheme is to foster collaborative, multidisciplinary projects that leverage SPHERE's collective strengths," explains Executive Director, Professor Chris White.
"We aim to support initiatives that not only address major gaps in healthcare but also have the potential to scale up and attract substantial additional funding."
Central to SPHERE's grant criteria is collaboration across a minimum of three SPHERE Platforms and Clinical Themes, encouraging partnerships that extend beyond organisational boundaries. Proposals are also encouraged to involve external groups and organisations to promote diverse perspectives and enhance project scalability.
With a total funding pool of $500,000 available, SPHERE anticipates supporting 2-3 grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 each.
"These funds are intended to kickstart projects that demonstrate a clear development pathway by securing further internal and external funding, ensuring sustainability and growth," said Prof White.
Applications should involve early to mid-career researchers (EMCRs) in leadership roles, supporting their career development within the health research landscape. Moreover, proposals should present robust strategies for research translation, aiming to bridge the gap between academic discovery and practical healthcare implementation with risk mitigation and ethical considerations included.
"We are excited about the potential impact of the projects funded through this initiative," said Prof. White.
"By encouraging bold, interdisciplinary approaches, we aim to advance the frontiers of medical research and deliver tangible benefits to healthcare providers and communities."