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PLOENGES, Natasha
Good morning.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Thank you very much for joining us this morning. I'm Natasha Ploenges, the CEO of the health and Medical Research Office.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
I would like to start by acknowledging the Traditional Owners on whose land we meet today. For me, it's the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people in the Canberra region, but also like to pay my respects to elders past and present, and also acknowledge that we are a cross country as well.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Next slide please.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Thank you very much for joining us today for this webinar. Really what we're going to be covering off is a presentation and it will be about taking you through both some health and medical research office or better known for the medical research future fund. But taking you through some of that context.
0:1:16.835 --> 0:1:20.835
PLOENGES, Natasha
But also giving you information about the refresh process.
0:1:22.15 --> 0:1:31.495
PLOENGES, Natasha
The role of the expert Advisory Panel and the new road map and implementation plan for the Australian Brain Cancer Mission.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
As you can see, we've just given that the table of contents for you on this slide, we will be having a discussion and there will be questions and answers that you can go through. You can submit feedback and that will be via consultation hub.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Next slide please.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Yeah.
0:1:58.375 --> 0:1:59.895
PLOENGES, Natasha
As you can see.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
You will be muted or hopefully you are muted upon joining. That does help to minimise any background noise you can send in Q&A or questions as part of that interactive Q&A and we have allocated one hour.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
For for this presentation, thank you. Next slide please.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
By way of background, with the medical research future fund, it was established in 2015, so that is under the medical Research Future Fund Act.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
It is a fund that had hit a minimum target of $20 billion, so it managed to reach that target recently. It has then grown. So in December 2023 it grew to be a $22 billion fund.
0:2:58.305 --> 0:3:5.545
PLOENGES, Natasha
The fund itself is very much about having that long term investment to actually support Australian health and medical research.
0:3:7.585 --> 0:3:20.785
PLOENGES, Natasha
The MRFF itself very much aims to transform health and medical research and innovation to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to our health systems sustainability.
0:3:22.355 --> 0:3:35.395
PLOENGES, Natasha
There are complementary Australian government funded health and medical research in Australia. The 2 largest of those is the medical research future funds, of course.
0:3:37.195 --> 0:3:37.835
PLOENGES, Natasha
Which provides.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
$650 million annually for health and medical research. It awards funding for national priorities, also for priority areas that address gaps in research, and it creates those opportunities for research, translation and commercialisation to improve health and well-being of Australians.
0:4:1.835 --> 0:4:5.275
PLOENGES, Natasha
In addition, there is the National Health and Medical Research Council.
0:4:6.995 --> 0:4:9.275
PLOENGES, Natasha
Which primarily awards funding through.
0:4:9.815 --> 0:4:12.815
PLOENGES, Natasha
Investigator led research.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Between both the medical research future fund and the funding provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council, it's equivalent to about $1.5 billion annually. That is provided for health and medical research in Australia. Next slide, please.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
So the purpose of this slide is really just to be able to demonstrate to you.
0:4:41.915 --> 0:4:43.155
PLOENGES, Natasha
Where along that
0:4:45.35 --> 0:5:0.115
PLOENGES, Natasha
idea the research pipeline that the NHMRC's work fits as well as the medical research future fund and also the biomedical translation fund. So that's the BTS that you see towards the bottom of the screen.
0:5:3.195 --> 0:5:12.155
PLOENGES, Natasha
Oh, I've mentioned the MRFF already, but the biomedical translation fund, which is also led through the health and Medical Research Office.
0:5:13.715 --> 0:5:28.35
PLOENGES, Natasha
Is really about looking much more towards that commercialisation and translation phase and it provides companies with venture capital through licenced private sector fund managers as well.
0:5:31.75 --> 0:5:32.315
PLOENGES, Natasha
Next slide please.
0:5:38.155 --> 0:5:53.75
PLOENGES, Natasha
I won't go through all of these elements, but this slide is just to give you a sense of some of the key features of the medical research future fund and in real and really some of the ways that it differs from some of the other
0:5:54.755 --> 0:5:58.195
PLOENGES, Natasha
health or health and medical research funded programmes.
0:6:0.465 --> 0:6:7.305
PLOENGES, Natasha
One of the key elements for the MRFF is that it is flexible and it's responsive.
0:6:8.875 --> 0:6:16.475
PLOENGES, Natasha
So enables it enables us to actually capitalise on health and medical research strengths, but also respond to emerging issues and priorities.
0:6:18.75 --> 0:6:34.435
PLOENGES, Natasha
One very good example of that, of course, is in relation to the pandemic and COVID-19, and during that time the MRFF had provided more than $135 million in research funding for COVID-19.
0:6:36.775 --> 0:6:53.55
PLOENGES, Natasha
As I had mentioned before, the MRFF is is priority led, so those priorities are actually set and then renewed every two years by our independent and expert Australian Medical Research Advisory Board.
0:6:54.595 --> 0:7:8.715
PLOENGES, Natasha
That helps to make sure, of course, that that the priorities that the MRFF is funding are contemporary, that they are built on evidence, but they are also built on consultation. So part of the work of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board is to undertake national consultation when it's setting those priorities.
0:7:16.775 --> 0:7:26.695
PLOENGES, Natasha
In terms of the outcome focused component, there is a very strong, very strong engagement and collaboration focus for the MRFF itself.
0:7:30.395 --> 0:7:41.275
PLOENGES, Natasha
Other elements that you may be interested to know is also in terms of innovation. So with the MRFF we are continually trying to improve the way we work, but also the grants that we fund.
0:7:50.795 --> 0:8:14.235
PLOENGES, Natasha
And we utilise different grant models or different grant funding models, including of course incubator grants that support that early stage and short term research projects as well as accelerator grants that support some of those larger scale multidisciplinary research projects to help drive that innovation and drive that translation as well.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Next slide please.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
With the MRFF we had recently, so that was in May this year. Had the Minister for Health and aged Care announced the 3rd 10 year investment plan for the MRFF so that 10 year investment plan is not only sort of building on the previous investment plan but it was also changing some of the some of the areas and some of some of the focus for the research for the next 10 years. We are now at a stage where the MRFF and that third ten year investment plan is providing $6.5 billion of funding and that's from the current financial year 2024–25 through to 2033–34. There are 22 initiatives which are continuing to be supported through the MRFF.
0:9:21.595 --> 0:9:25.555
PLOENGES, Natasha
Now we do have 4 themes and as you can see on the slide those things are patients.
0:9:29.115 --> 0:9:54.315
PLOENGES, Natasha
Research Missions, researchers and research translation. I won't go through all of the details of those four themes or the 22 initiatives but you can indeed find more information about the MRFF 13 year investment plan on the Department of Health and Age Care's website at the plan is printed there and you can see what those.
0:9:55.275 --> 0:10:0.595
PLOENGES, Natasha
What those initiatives and those themes are providing and it goes into more detail.
0:10:3.685 --> 0:10:4.845
PLOENGES, Natasha
Next slide please.
0:10:9.435 --> 0:10:16.275
PLOENGES, Natasha
Now, with the MRFF missions, which is one of the reasons, of course that we are having the conversation today in particular.
0:10:17.845 --> 0:10:35.485
PLOENGES, Natasha
Those missions focus particularly on areas of unmet need or a technology with transformational potential. So again, that's priority led, they are 10 year programmes of work and they bring together key researchers, health professionals.
0:10:36.85 --> 0:10:40.125
PLOENGES, Natasha
Consumers, communities and industry partners as well.
0:10:42.525 --> 0:10:51.205
PLOENGES, Natasha
We do have 10 missions and as part of that one of those missions is the Australian Brain Cancer Mission.
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PLOENGES, Natasha
Next slide please.
0:10:56.685 --> 0:11:8.565
PLOENGES, Natasha
So what I would like to do is now introduce you to the Chair of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission Expert Advisory Panel. So Professor Maria cavallaris.
0:11:9.305 --> 0:11:33.865
PLOENGES, Natasha
She's the founding director of the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine at the University of NSW and also the head of Translational Cancer Nanomedicine theme at the Children's Cancer Institute and the National Health and Medical Research Council investigator. As well. She is absolutely recognised for innovation and her real connection and passion for driving multidisciplinary.
0:11:34.645 --> 0:11:38.5
PLOENGES, Natasha
Research and care, particularly in the cancer space.
0:11:39.315 --> 0:11:44.315
PLOENGES, Natasha
I would very much like now to hand over and introduce you to Maria. Thank you.
0:11:47.705 --> 0:11:59.65
Maria Kavallaris
Thank you, Natasha. It was a great introduction to the MRFF and it's a great pleasure to be here today to talk to you about the work we've done on the MRFF brain cancer mission.
0:12:0.765 --> 0:12:1.605
Maria Kavallaris
Next slide please.
0:12:4.445 --> 0:12:6.725
Maria Kavallaris
So just to give you a little bit of context.
0:12:8.565 --> 0:12:34.365
Maria Kavallaris
Where the brain cancer mission funding has been going, where it started, where it's going, the mission has been investing $126.4 million / 10 years to support research into brain cancer and approximately 50 million of this is from the MRFF and about 76.4 million to date has been committed from fund funding partners, which I'll talk about a little bit more later.
0:12:36.195 --> 0:12:48.595
Maria Kavallaris
So out of that $126.4 million, we're already invested 107.21 million into various programmes. There's been a grant of MRF grant opportunities.
0:12:50.605 --> 0:13:5.85
Maria Kavallaris
That and as well as sort of have spending about 33 million on that, the funding partners have also put in close to $74 million of investment. So the MLRS has invested in brain cancer through.
0:13:6.325 --> 0:13:7.325
Maria Kavallaris
These initiatives.
0:13:9.285 --> 0:13:30.285
Maria Kavallaris
You know, outside of the mission as well. So there's other programmes that have also invested in brain cancer, but they may not be under the brain cancer mission if they fit in one of the other categories as well. And you can see the bar graphs there showing how much has already been allocated and the remaining funds that are left next slide please.
0:13:35.5 --> 0:14:5.5
Maria Kavallaris
So can't Australia actually leads engagement and collaboration with emissions funding partners? And this is clearly brought in a lot of extra money into this initiative. I'll just quickly go through their names without going through how much they spent. But the cure Brain Cancer Foundation has put up this be a significant amount into room. Foundation carries Beanie for brain cancer, Mark Hughes Foundation, Children's Hospital Foundation Queensland, the state of Victoria.
0:14:5.115 --> 0:14:26.115
Maria Kavallaris
Yeah, the kids cancer projects, the state of NSW Financial Markets Foundation for children, Robert Connard Doors Foundation, Act Health and Canberra Health services and Neurosurgical Research Foundation. So these are really valuable partnerships to help us achieve our mission as well. Next slide please.
0:14:30.305 --> 0:14:54.145
Maria Kavallaris
So there's already been investment as, as you heard, it's we're now seven years into this mission and some of the projects that have been funded to date just listed here and the first one here is the supporting the Australian brain cancer researchers and integrate like an integrated network of platforms and projects. And this included things like registries and bio banking.
0:14:55.525 --> 0:14:59.765
Maria Kavallaris
Another project that was supported was the off the shelf Carty so.
0:15:0.725 --> 0:15:25.565
Maria Kavallaris
Therapy for brain cancer. This is a form of immunotherapy for those who are not aware of this, and this is a way to be able to assess a new way of targeting T cells which are designed to target cells, are actually supporting the growth of what we call cancer stem cells, which initiate these cancers. And the third project is in it's a called glimmer.
0:15:26.365 --> 0:15:31.325
Maria Kavallaris
And it's a glioma liquid biopsy and multiomic monitoring enabled research platform.
0:15:31.925 --> 0:15:56.85
Maria Kavallaris
And essentially what this means is it's a way to be able to understand the factors that result in treatment behaviour for patients, but also a way to identify new targets and develop non invasive ways to monitor brain cancer progression. And in this case, it was for glioblastoma, which is the most common adult brain cancer.
0:15:56.925 --> 0:15:57.405
Maria Kavallaris
Next slide please.
0:16:0.975 --> 0:16:19.15
Maria Kavallaris
So the the next step, so we have 16.76 million of MRF funding to spend as part of this last triage of the brain cancer, the Australian Brain Cancer Mission. And we've already announced one one round.
0:16:20.605 --> 0:16:32.725
Maria Kavallaris
That the 2024 brain cancer discovery and translation grant opportunity applications that are currently open and close in February 2025 and the investment that we've.
0:16:33.245 --> 0:16:58.45
Maria Kavallaris
King has been guided by the refreshed road map implementation plan, which we're currently, you know, This is why we're going undergoing the national consultation and seeking your feedback and and I'll go through the different steps about the road map, but also the implementation plan to make sure that we we are you know on the right track and if there's anything we may have missed.
0:16:58.805 --> 0:16:59.125
Maria Kavallaris
Next slide please.
0:17:3.85 --> 0:17:18.645
Maria Kavallaris
So as part of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, this and refresh process as we call it is I'll just take you through like I guess historically how this started. The shrine Brain Cancer Mission started in 2017, it's when it was first established.
0:17:20.205 --> 0:17:26.205
Maria Kavallaris
The investments were actually guided by the missions road map and the Mission Strategic Advisory Group.
0:17:27.885 --> 0:17:33.285
Maria Kavallaris
And then, like every other MRF mission, we underwent a review.
0:17:34.155 --> 0:17:36.35
Maria Kavallaris
In in 2023.
0:17:37.605 --> 0:17:49.365
Maria Kavallaris
And this was a midterm review, and it was an independent review to really assess whether the missions we know was progressing against its goals and what the impact of the mission was as well.
0:17:51.205 --> 0:17:56.125
Maria Kavallaris
Once that review was completed, the Expert Advisory panel that I chair was formed.
0:17:57.885 --> 0:18:10.565
Maria Kavallaris
And this this led to refreshing of the road map is what we'll make to do as well as develop an implementation plan to ensure the investment priorities are fit for purpose.
0:18:11.905 --> 0:18:37.305
Maria Kavallaris
Going forward, we're now at the public consultation stage and that's why we're having this webinar. You would have seen the documentation that got released and we really encourage all of you to take this opportunity to contribute to the direction of the mission and tell us what you'd like. What you may may think should be changed and this will all be considered.
0:18:38.85 --> 0:18:47.445
Maria Kavallaris
As the consultation wraps up and then the idea is that by early next year we will look at all this, the consultation documents.
0:18:48.545 --> 0:18:58.105
Maria Kavallaris
And have a final refresh, strategic documents of both the road map in the and the implementation plan to move forward with the new grant opportunities.
0:18:59.605 --> 0:19:0.5
Maria Kavallaris
Next slide please.
0:19:3.945 --> 0:19:23.945
Maria Kavallaris
So the review of the mission there, the I just mentioned that the MRFF monitoring Evaluation Learning Strategy 2020 and 21 and 2324 states that regular reviews are to be undertaken. Of the 22 MRFF initiative. So each MRFF initiative undergoes a mid term review.
0:19:25.485 --> 0:19:36.685
Maria Kavallaris
The Department of Health and Aged Care commissioned the Centre for International Economics and who conducted the review of the mission and this was published in December 2023 on departments website.
0:19:37.275 --> 0:20:2.755
Maria Kavallaris
You would have had access to that the review assist, the progress of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission against its goals and the impact of the mission and the expert Advisory Panel, which have been sharing we we actually looked at this review and actually considered the opportunities identified as part of that review. So this informed part of our.
0:20:3.565 --> 0:20:3.645
Maria Kavallaris
Refresh.
0:20:5.285 --> 0:20:8.805
Maria Kavallaris
Of the road map and the development of the implementation plan.
0:20:8.875 --> 0:20:20.875
Maria Kavallaris
And and we actually had some members in common who were on this review panel are also on the express advisory panel and that was very valuable as well. Next slide please.
0:20:24.535 --> 0:20:50.935
Maria Kavallaris
No. The Expo advisory panel was formed to provide the Minister for Health and aged care with essentially advice on our strategic priorities for research investment through this mission and our role was to define evidence and knowledge gaps that we really do need to address through the mission research funding to assist in transforming healthcare and health outcomes for both individuals and communities.
0:20:51.725 --> 0:20:55.645
Maria Kavallaris
So some of the key research questions we needed to identify as well.
0:20:56.905 --> 0:21:11.545
Maria Kavallaris
So it essentially, if they were answered, would actually deliver meaningful change to patients through the translation of research and also to refresh, as I mentioned the Mission Rd map and the implementation well and create an implementation plan.
0:21:13.85 --> 0:21:16.525
Maria Kavallaris
The the Expert Advisory panel include expertise.
0:21:18.205 --> 0:21:27.805
Maria Kavallaris
Across research, clinical, commercial, lived experience of brain cancer as well as mission funding partner representation.
0:21:28.725 --> 0:21:52.925
Maria Kavallaris
And and this this the breadth of expertise that was on this panel was truly impressive. And so, you know, if we were able to really nut out a lot of aspects about brain cancer and the needs of the the community as well as direction from the experts about where to go the next slide please.
0:21:55.405 --> 0:22:2.405
Maria Kavallaris
So this is the names of all the expert advisory panel. I won't read them all again. These are all published online.
0:22:3.835 --> 0:22:10.515
Maria Kavallaris
I will also mention that we had an an overseas expert as well who joined our meetings.
0:22:12.325 --> 0:22:28.565
Maria Kavallaris
And that was that was incredibly valuable as well. And and also gave us the international perspective on some of the work we were doing as well as our consumer advocates and and our funding partners as well as the researchers and the clinical input as well.
0:22:31.45 --> 0:22:32.5
Maria Kavallaris
Next slide please.
0:22:35.545 --> 0:22:57.425
Maria Kavallaris
No, listen, the important thing is is to get your input into the refresh road map so the road map is really about our goals and mission and scope of the mission. So the goal was transformative improvement to the quality and length of life of people with brain cancer with a longer term aim of defeating brain cancer.
0:22:58.965 --> 0:23:10.405
Maria Kavallaris
And our mission is is to contribute to achieving this goal by concentrating research efforts into areas of critical importance in areas not already targeted through existing initiatives.
0:23:11.905 --> 0:23:27.625
Maria Kavallaris
And this is quite important. We didn't want to be overlapping with with other programmes and to do this to to achieve this, the mission's going to make investments in research to achieve improved patient survival, quality of life and care experiences.
0:23:29.165 --> 0:23:31.645
Maria Kavallaris
Advancement in the fundamental understanding of brain cancer.
0:23:33.365 --> 0:23:47.5
Maria Kavallaris
The increase in equitable access and participation in clinical trials, as well as expanding research platforms and technologies, improve healthcare services, increase research and capacity and excellence.
0:23:47.765 --> 0:24:7.85
Maria Kavallaris
A stronger partnerships between academia, industry, community and charities. So while the mission itself cannot influence you know, the actual implementation into hospitals, the research that's being done is focused to ensure that we can try and translate.
0:24:8.645 --> 0:24:12.165
Maria Kavallaris
Successful research findings into the clinic. Next slide please.
0:24:15.615 --> 0:24:35.575
Maria Kavallaris
So the implementation plan, the implementation strategy is designed to guide how we're going to invest the next triage of funding our research investment for the remainder of the the mission, so essentially establishes a strategic plan to address the missions goal within the context.
0:24:37.125 --> 0:24:43.685
Maria Kavallaris
Of this next third year, 10 year plan, the third thing 10 year plan and the research.
0:24:45.485 --> 0:24:47.445
Maria Kavallaris
It's we also show as part of part of this.
0:24:47.965 --> 0:25:14.85
Maria Kavallaris
It's a 10 year plan. The research already funded and how it fits under the priority areas of investment that the VAP developed. It also establishes you know a way to evaluate the approaches and measures, in other words, how do we know we're being successful here. So we need evaluation approaches and that's integrated into the implementation plan.
0:25:15.45 --> 0:25:17.885
Maria Kavallaris
And all the supported activities around that.
0:25:18.815 --> 0:25:28.895
Maria Kavallaris
It also identifies additional activities outside of mission that may be required to achieve success and opportunities to leverage additional investment.
0:25:30.565 --> 0:25:46.805
Maria Kavallaris
A bit like what I mentioned in the in the previous slide about when it comes to implementation into hospitals or take up hospitals or healthcare, there's there's a separate body of work there, but the the mission, the.
0:25:48.485 --> 0:25:51.85
Maria Kavallaris
Brain cancer mission is really geared up towards funding research.
0:25:51.815 --> 0:25:57.775
Maria Kavallaris
To support these initiatives, so we can facilitate that the next slide please.
0:26:0.705 --> 0:26:22.25
Maria Kavallaris
So the implementation plan, so the the aims in the implementation plan matched the road map and there in terms of the big picture there to improve understanding of brain cancer biology to improve survival for children and adults with brain cancer, but also improve the quality of life for people affected by brain cancer.
0:26:23.565 --> 0:26:33.485
Maria Kavallaris
And within the implementation plan, you'll see that there's there's sort of this can be broken down into one or two more detailed priority areas for investment.
0:26:34.305 --> 0:26:49.945
Maria Kavallaris
And list the potential grant opportunities designed under these areas and this was important to ensure that going forward that we we get we put investment in the right areas and it's clear what people are applying for as well.
0:26:51.445 --> 0:26:52.165
Maria Kavallaris
Next slide please.
0:26:55.795 --> 0:27:16.755
Maria Kavallaris
So in terms of what we're we're really seeking, there's a consultation hub that you would be aware of and under that consultation hub, the questions were are the priority areas for investment identified in the implementation plan. Essentially the most effective way for delivering on the mission's goals and aims.
0:27:18.655 --> 0:27:43.975
Maria Kavallaris
Are there existing research activities which could be utilised to contribute to the missions, road map point or implementation plan, aims and priority areas for investment, and how can these be leveraged? Are the evaluation, approach and measures appropriate for assessing and monitoring progress towards the mission's goal and aims? So this is where we hope that you.
0:27:44.845 --> 0:27:50.485
Maria Kavallaris
You you will go to the consultation, have an enter that and I'll. I'll get to that in a minute on how you do that.
0:27:51.415 --> 0:27:52.335
Maria Kavallaris
So next slide please.
0:27:55.575 --> 0:28:14.15
Maria Kavallaris
So if you we have an opportunity now as well to to answer some questions. So you can type those into the Q&A at in, in your teams and we you know we will go through that and address and answer the questions.
0:28:15.565 --> 0:28:23.805
Maria Kavallaris
Questions and feedback will also be collated for the presenters, so you know, so we can note them and discuss them also with the EAP later.
0:28:25.405 --> 0:28:26.805
Maria Kavallaris
Also, you can all the submissions all the submissions.
0:28:27.405 --> 0:28:53.725
Maria Kavallaris
I mentioned you can make through the consultation hub on Department of Health and Aged Care's website consultation.health.gov dot au. Even if you don't ask any questions now really we do value your input into this consultation and encourage you to go and and into that in the consultation hub and the Minister for health is very interested in your comments on the road map and implementation plan.
0:28:54.605 --> 0:28:56.245
Maria Kavallaris
And this will help us guide.
0:28:56.845 --> 0:29:4.565
Maria Kavallaris
And help them, you know, Minister, guide, future MRFF investments. The online submissions close on the 20th of December.
0:29:6.405 --> 0:29:14.765
Maria Kavallaris
And that's the cut off date with time, except any more late submissions. And you can see the the link there to the website.
0:29:17.455 --> 0:29:18.615
Maria Kavallaris
So next slide please.
0:29:22.415 --> 0:29:34.175
Maria Kavallaris
So you can keep connected with what's happening with the MRF through. You can subscribe to the MRFF news. That's a good way to stay connected.
0:29:35.925 --> 0:29:42.885
Maria Kavallaris
But in terms of having your say on any of the missions, by the way, not just this mission, you can go to the consultation.
0:29:44.605 --> 0:29:56.245
Maria Kavallaris
Health Gov dot au hub and you can also register to get information about MI V If you're a researcher, register for MRF grant opportunities as well at.
0:29:57.415 --> 0:29:59.855
Maria Kavallaris
The grant connect.gov dot au.
0:30:1.405 --> 0:30:8.685
Maria Kavallaris
And you can also look out at the grant opportunity forecast as as well. And there's a link there.
0:30:8.765 --> 0:30:13.5
Maria Kavallaris
OK. And you can also follow on.
0:30:15.545 --> 0:30:20.465
Maria Kavallaris
What I was going to say, X, formerly known as Twitter. Well, MRFF updates.
0:30:22.5 --> 0:30:31.605
Maria Kavallaris
And really, if you've got any additional questions, you can also e-mail the department m.r.f.f.f@health.gov dot au.
0:30:34.815 --> 0:30:40.415
Maria Kavallaris
Slide there. Well, thank you for your attention and please send in your questions.
0:31:7.685 --> 0:31:9.485
Maria Kavallaris
Pass on to you Jane to.
0:31:10.985 --> 0:31:11.785
Maria Kavallaris
Any questions?
0:31:18.775 --> 0:31:30.735
REID, Jane
Yeah. My name is Jane Reed, and I'm the director for the missions implementation and strategy section. And I'll be facilitating. The question section is the question.
0:31:32.285 --> 0:31:34.445
REID, Jane
And answer section of this presentation today.
0:31:36.165 --> 0:31:41.845
REID, Jane
We really encourage you, this is a great opportunity to ask any questions to about our expert advisory panel.
0:31:43.565 --> 0:31:46.365
REID, Jane
Or about the MRFF. Please don't be shy.
0:32:22.575 --> 0:32:23.895
REID, Jane
OK, so we have our first.
0:32:25.925 --> 0:32:28.805
REID, Jane
Question which asks about what were some.
0:32:31.475 --> 0:32:41.475
REID, Jane
What were some of the key findings of the mid cycle review of the brain cancer mission? And I think I will add to this question and also say how were these considered by the expert Advisory panel?
0:32:43.85 --> 0:32:43.205
Maria Kavallaris
Yeah.
0:32:44.805 --> 0:32:59.965
Maria Kavallaris
So some of the some of the findings were actually about doing some more basic research as well as supporting early and mid career researchers as as part of the the schemes.
0:33:1.245 --> 0:33:25.925
Maria Kavallaris
And just help me, Jane, I'm just trying to remember the list because I didn't. I didn't put them in front of me there. There was. There was a few. So some of the comments were not about sort of the implementation specifically, was that the broader findings? So you know, there had been some really good work already done as part of the the mission. What they were also looking at about you know.
0:33:26.885 --> 0:33:31.925
Maria Kavallaris
The next steps, what? What else could be improved so that was one of the aspects and.
0:33:35.125 --> 0:33:57.525
Maria Kavallaris
But in terms of the maybe I can actually also just expand a little bit about the early, mid career researchers. So while through this process we haven't got just a separate category for early, mid career researchers, we are building into the the terminology and the structure of the grants that we we're strongly encouraging that we get.
0:33:58.325 --> 0:34:8.45
Maria Kavallaris
Early mid career researchers either leading grants or being part of grants and and and that this will be also be seen favourably because we do need to develop the next generation.
0:34:8.875 --> 0:34:24.75
Maria Kavallaris
Of medical researchers who are in this in this space, which as we all know, requires a lot more work, you know, a job with brain cancer is is not going to be over in three years. We need to continue this. Jane, do you have a?
0:34:27.325 --> 0:34:28.405
REID, Jane
All right, so one of.
0:34:27.345 --> 0:34:28.905
Maria Kavallaris
Is there anything else I've missed out?
0:34:29.515 --> 0:34:54.355
REID, Jane
One of the other things that was recommended in the review was developing a more specific implementation plan, and that's part of why the department brought together the expert Advisory Panel. And when you have a look at it, you'll see that there's really a quite the plan is now quite specific. So researchers will know several years in advance what the opportunity is going to be.
0:34:55.165 --> 0:35:0.925
REID, Jane
And in addition to that, being great for the researchers, it's also great to enable the establishment of partnerships.
0:35:1.555 --> 0:35:12.315
REID, Jane
And increase the ability to work with consumer groups because there is that certainty about what is going to be offered and and when it is, it's going to be available.
0:35:13.215 --> 0:35:43.175
Maria Kavallaris
You know, that's a very good point because the initial roll out of the funding had a road map, but it didn't have a implementation plan. So that was part of the the purpose of also doing that. And yes, sorry, I forgot that because I was so involved in doing it, I got forgot that completely. But the yeah, that was actually a very important point that people because some of the missions that were developed later did have very clear Rd maps and implementation plans. But some of the early missions.
0:35:43.345 --> 0:35:52.185
Maria Kavallaris
Didn't have that, so that that we feel that we've done well and that's really we also want your feedback on you know are we on the right track here?
0:36:4.895 --> 0:36:20.415
REID, Jane
So another question that we've received is about are there any plans to provide detailed feedback from reviewers for MRFF grant submissions and the good news here is we are now providing the MRFF is now providing.
0:36:22.125 --> 0:36:26.845
REID, Jane
Qualitative feedback in addition to scores to applicants.
0:36:28.605 --> 0:36:35.725
REID, Jane
Because that can be quite helpful for applicants in improving their applications to future apps.
0:36:55.335 --> 0:37:3.855
REID, Jane
We have received a question about how most of the grant funding calls that allow for basic science. Also ask for an immediate impact on patients.
0:37:5.645 --> 0:37:10.765
REID, Jane
And I think a question about whether they should be separate, more specific calls.
0:37:12.405 --> 0:37:18.365
REID, Jane
And about what was the major finding with the review with respect to the basic sites?
0:37:19.895 --> 0:37:37.495
Maria Kavallaris
I I'd look there. So there there was more. There was a lot of discussion around the the review also about supporting more basic science and you will you'll see from the road map and the implementation plan with there's two calls that actually incorporate.
0:37:39.245 --> 0:37:50.845
Maria Kavallaris
Basic science I hate to call it basic science because I really do think it's discovery science. It sounds very simple when you say basic, but it's I think that's that's really important. So that's we've tried to incorporate into that.
0:37:51.945 --> 0:38:16.585
Maria Kavallaris
The the question about translation is really I I think there is a perception in the Community that if you you have a question like that and you you're not about to go to a clinical trial or something like that that you won't get funded. That's not the case. What they want you to be thinking about is to be thinking about even though your research may not be immediately clinically translatable.
0:38:17.365 --> 0:38:24.205
Maria Kavallaris
But you have actually an idea of how this may lead to translation and how you would go about that short, medium long term.
0:38:25.315 --> 0:38:33.315
Maria Kavallaris
It it's really about getting people thinking but it it it doesn't stop unless there's a very specific criteria in that call.
0:38:34.885 --> 0:38:53.805
Maria Kavallaris
About a clinical, you know, clinical trial and even even then most of the funding is often very early stage if if you're going to do it. Because remember this is research, this is and and we're trying to develop things for for the clinic. So what I'd be saying, I encourage you to really be thinking about.
0:38:55.505 --> 0:39:8.625
Maria Kavallaris
Yes, that that sort of short medium long term. But you don't have to be there when you apply for these grants. You've got to have a good explanation unless it is a specific call for something that's about to go into a phase one.
0:39:12.595 --> 0:39:17.555
Maria Kavallaris
And if I haven't answered your question, feel please feel free to come back and I'll I'll try and address that further.
0:39:19.15 --> 0:39:36.775
REID, Jane
And we have received a question about how will the mission be translated into rural, regional and remote Australia and improving survival is incredibly important. However, it can come at a significant cost to rural and remote Australians. How will the mission adapt to support?
0:39:38.325 --> 0:39:39.445
REID, Jane
People living away from.
0:39:41.205 --> 0:39:42.405
REID, Jane
Metropolitan areas.
0:39:43.755 --> 0:40:7.275
Maria Kavallaris
Look that. Oh, sorry. Sorry, Jane, that's a. It's actually a very good question because we actually spend a lot of time on the EAP talking about this and talking about, you know, the wording of some of these, these call outs about ensuring that that we're we're possible. It is not always possible.
0:39:46.45 --> 0:39:46.525
REID, Jane
Go ahead.
0:40:8.85 --> 0:40:12.5
Maria Kavallaris
To incorporate how they will reach these more remote communities because.
0:40:13.5 --> 0:40:38.525
Maria Kavallaris
It is important and we know you know, if you live in the city you you get probably get more state-of-the-art treatment often than if you're living rural. So as part of these trials incorporating and that's where it gets important, if you can incorporate people, if you're doing a trial or you're doing a research project to incorporate people in rural and remote communities. So that is that is encourage and.
0:40:39.325 --> 0:40:42.325
Maria Kavallaris
And we consider this a lot and we.
0:40:42.915 --> 0:41:2.955
Maria Kavallaris
Can't impact the healthcare in those communities directly because like I said, this is research you can actually include and we strongly support including these these communities. That's part of the research projects that people doing that are relevant to something like that.
0:41:9.975 --> 0:41:37.55
REID, Jane
We have received a question about how does the next cycle of funding for the mission work. So there will be essentially 3 grant opportunities drawn from this refreshed implementation plan. The 2024 opportunity is currently open. Please consider applying. We love seeing a large number and diversity of applications coming into that.
0:41:37.805 --> 0:41:39.525
REID, Jane
And there will be an additional opportunity.
0:41:40.855 --> 0:41:41.735
REID, Jane
Opening.
0:41:43.285 --> 0:42:0.165
REID, Jane
In 2025, and then an additional 1 opening in 2026, all of these opportunities are published on the Grant Connect website and we also put out an alert of when they're published in the M RFF newsletter. So if you saw that last slide.
0:42:2.45 --> 0:42:15.125
REID, Jane
Of ways to stay in touch, signing up for the newsletter is a good way to get an alert essentially, as soon as these opportunities are open and you can also register on Grand Connect. So whichever way you prefer to get your information.
0:42:40.15 --> 0:42:41.575
REID, Jane
So we've got a clarification.
0:42:43.125 --> 0:42:44.205
REID, Jane
About that.
0:42:52.545 --> 0:42:53.985
REID, Jane
See if I understand the question.
0:42:55.965 --> 0:42:56.85
REID, Jane
And.
0:42:57.845 --> 0:42:58.565
REID, Jane
So.
0:43:0.405 --> 0:43:11.845
REID, Jane
The the Australian Brain Cancer Mission is a bit unique in that it has both MRFF funding and funding from the the funding partners.
0:43:13.645 --> 0:43:20.365
REID, Jane
And we you'll see in some cases we report the funding from both sources together.
0:43:21.485 --> 0:43:27.925
REID, Jane
But we're also very clear about the fact that it is 50 million that is coming from the medical research future fund.
0:44:9.195 --> 0:44:10.275
REID, Jane
I've received a question.
0:44:12.605 --> 0:44:16.565
REID, Jane
About and I think this will have definitely been something that was considered by the EAP.
0:44:18.805 --> 0:44:26.885
REID, Jane
About whether to whether was their consideration over reducing the number of grant calls but increasing the size of allocations.
0:44:28.875 --> 0:44:35.235
Maria Kavallaris
Yeah, look at. That's it. That's a really good question. There was a lot of discussion and debate on on the panel.
0:44:37.165 --> 0:45:1.645
Maria Kavallaris
You know the it's always this balance. Some people felt maybe we should have a lot of smaller calls like we're smaller pots of money. Some people felt no, you know, there's already coverage and this is where we land and in the end we you know a lot because the NHMRC does have call outs for for smaller grants. The idea was to have projects that would have a big impact.
0:45:2.195 --> 0:45:27.355
Maria Kavallaris
And you know where where people are pulling in different expertise into disciplinary type expertise together. So we opted to go for slightly larger ones, but not massive ones where we would use it all the panel, the EIP felt very strongly that if we were to use up and we had that option to use up the money within the two rounds.
0:45:28.165 --> 0:45:29.245
Maria Kavallaris
That there would be a gap.
0:45:31.85 --> 0:45:32.805
Maria Kavallaris
And and that wouldn't be good for the sector?
0:45:33.315 --> 0:46:2.315
Maria Kavallaris
To have a gap in in funding and so the final decision was like that we we came we landed on these these these three aims and the the sub aims that would be would be funded as part of the the next three rounds of funding. And as Jane mentioned the current round is open for the first one of those three now but that that was the rationale there because it felt that too many small pots of money are less likely to have.
0:46:3.85 --> 0:46:3.605
Maria Kavallaris
A big impact.
0:46:10.165 --> 0:46:12.725
REID, Jane
Questions about what happens at the end.
0:46:14.645 --> 0:46:27.885
REID, Jane
Of the the current runway of the mission, and as is detailed in the MRF, 3rd 10 year investment plan, extensions of the missions are subject to evaluations.
0:46:29.765 --> 0:46:35.445
REID, Jane
And work on work on planning that evaluation is is ongoing.
0:46:37.55 --> 0:46:55.215
Maria Kavallaris
And and look at and and that's important that that at the end of when we finish the mission, even though some projects will still be going, you know there will be an evaluation of how it's, you know the the mission has gone. Has it achieved most of its aims etcetera and what we set out to do.
0:46:57.445 --> 0:47:5.645
Maria Kavallaris
And I always encourage people to advocate as well, you know, for for funding in this space as well.
0:47:11.645 --> 0:47:37.285
REID, Jane
On the topic of rural and remote healthcare services, and there's been a question about who decides when it's possible or when it's appropriate for our regional and role to be involved. And the way this works is grant applications are assessed by an independent grant assessment committee who score the application against.
0:47:38.85 --> 0:47:39.205
REID, Jane
A publicly available.
0:47:40.765 --> 0:47:40.845
REID, Jane
Scoring.
0:47:41.405 --> 0:47:44.725
REID, Jane
Matrix. You can find all of these resources on Grant connect.
0:47:46.285 --> 0:47:50.645
REID, Jane
And that includes aspects of whether these things have been.
0:47:52.885 --> 0:48:5.565
REID, Jane
Appropriately considered, so an application that does not consider rural and regional aspects when it should have is likely to receive a poor score and not be funded.
0:48:6.955 --> 0:48:32.395
Maria Kavallaris
And I'll just add to that, Jane, that's it. That's exactly right. I think where it's obvious that that there was opportunities to include rule on remote areas and not included that you know that won't be seen. You know, you'd have to give a good explanation why it would be the case that you're you're not doing that. But again that you know this applies to specific areas, research that.
0:48:33.205 --> 0:48:38.725
Maria Kavallaris
You know that that is possible and we do recognise that it won't apply to all types of research.
0:48:42.655 --> 0:48:54.15
REID, Jane
So we've received a question about whether the 2025 and 2026 opportunities will be repeats of the current 2024 grant opportunity.
0:48:56.525 --> 0:49:8.205
Maria Kavallaris
No, the the next round will be a different opportunity, but it'll be part of those priority areas for investment. And then the third round will be similar.
0:49:9.765 --> 0:49:11.925
Maria Kavallaris
But not quite identical to the current round.
0:49:13.685 --> 0:49:24.565
Maria Kavallaris
But you know, so that's the way to sort of think about it. But all of this is, yes, if you if you put down the draught documents etcetera that that's how the the through rounds they've already been sort of determined.
0:49:26.415 --> 0:49:33.575
Maria Kavallaris
So once this gets finalised, once the consultation finishes, this will all be up on the website, so you'll you'll be able to plan ahead.
0:49:46.205 --> 0:49:48.125
REID, Jane
So we have received.
0:49:50.245 --> 0:50:6.445
REID, Jane
Continue on on the topic of rural engagement, a question about whether the MRFF has considered adding KP is or an indicator for role engagement. This one might be one for Natasha if she is available. If not, I can take it.
0:50:14.835 --> 0:50:24.635
PLOENGES, Natasha
Great thing. I'm happy. I'm gonna say I'm happy for either one of us to start. So maybe if you want to start Jane and then I will provide any additional information.
0:50:26.105 --> 0:50:39.905
REID, Jane
I yes. So it we have the MRFF as a whole, not just in the Australian brain. Cancer Mission has an ongoing focus on rural and remote research.
0:50:41.475 --> 0:50:46.195
REID, Jane
As that has been identified as a priority area through the Australian Medical Research.
0:50:47.875 --> 0:50:56.235
REID, Jane
Board through Mrib, who define the priorities that apply across the MRFF and as Natasha described earlier in the presentation.
0:50:57.345 --> 0:51:6.145
REID, Jane
Part of how they do this includes the national public consultation and you can see what these priorities are on the department's website.
0:51:10.135 --> 0:51:23.935
PLOENGES, Natasha
I will. I will also expand on that, if that's OK. So for the MRFF and in this, this is broader than the brain cancer mission and broader than the missions themselves.
0:51:25.475 --> 0:51:31.435
PLOENGES, Natasha
We do have a real focus on priority populations, so part of those priority populations.
0:51:33.35 --> 0:51:33.235
PLOENGES, Natasha
Include.
0:51:34.995 --> 0:51:35.555
PLOENGES, Natasha
Include.
0:51:37.395 --> 0:51:39.435
PLOENGES, Natasha
Rural, rural, regional and remote communities.
0:51:39.785 --> 0:51:55.985
PLOENGES, Natasha
But it's a very specifically identified priority population for us, but also priority populations including the LGBTQI plus community and culturally and linguistically diverse communities and First Nations as well, I will say.
0:51:57.555 --> 0:52:7.835
PLOENGES, Natasha
That's probably not all of our priority populations that we have listed, but that's to give you a sense of of some of those priority populations that we really do focus on as part of the work.
0:52:16.955 --> 0:52:27.675
REID, Jane
And so we've received a question about how are the current funding projects being evaluated. For example, the brain cancer infrastructure grant and are the outcomes need public?
0:52:29.235 --> 0:52:29.635
REID, Jane
So as.
0:52:32.275 --> 0:52:41.115
REID, Jane
Maria and Natasha, described earlier in the presentation there is an MRFF monitoring evaluation and learning strategy and that.
0:52:43.955 --> 0:52:46.195
REID, Jane
Leads to each of the initiatives.
0:52:47.65 --> 0:53:12.505
REID, Jane
Being evaluated on a sort of rolling basis so you can have a look at the evaluation that was done on the Australian Brain Cancer Mission on our website. That will tell you more details about our evaluation strategy and how we are measuring the impact of the missions as well as their progress towards their goal. These documents are done specifically for each initiative.
0:53:13.315 --> 0:53:18.835
REID, Jane
Because the different missions and the different initiatives have a different goals that they are trying to.
0:53:19.915 --> 0:53:20.475
REID, Jane
Achieve.
0:53:30.125 --> 0:53:35.445
PLOENGES, Natasha
I was going to say and sorry I'll hop in before, maybe before there's another question.
0:53:36.995 --> 0:54:3.835
PLOENGES, Natasha
One of the things that I had mentioned earlier on is about that sort of continuous improvement and growth when it comes to the MRFF in terms of what we do. So as Jane had referred to, we have that monitoring and evaluation and learning strategy that we apply. We are publishing more and more information about the MRFF. So there are a range of reports that we are publishing publishing as well as data.
0:54:4.585 --> 0:54:29.705
PLOENGES, Natasha
I have to say please do have a look on our website as well for that and again my answers are broader than the missions and broader than and broader than the brain cancer mission itself. But it is very much about having a range of reports and data available, including things like our recent health and medical research workforce audit and also.
0:54:30.515 --> 0:54:37.635
PLOENGES, Natasha
Having a chief investigator's report as well as well, so very much about that evaluation and learning and development.
0:55:37.385 --> 0:56:2.825
REID, Jane
We don't have any further questions. I've also been reminded of the fact that the MRFF recently published a report on rural, regional and remote health, so you can also have a look at that about how we're doing and someone will be posted. Cindy hopefully will be posting a link to that in the chat soon because that's another resource of how.
0:56:3.635 --> 0:56:6.995
REID, Jane
As an terti mentioned, we're publishing more.
0:56:7.695 --> 0:56:11.575
REID, Jane
Data and so that people can can.
0:56:13.155 --> 0:56:16.315
REID, Jane
And increasing our focus on things like evaluations.
0:56:20.505 --> 0:56:22.225
Maria Kavallaris
OK. So no more questions, Jen.
0:56:26.675 --> 0:56:41.115
REID, Jane
I think no. Yes, because there are a few cases where I combined two questions into to the one the one question, if you if your question wasn't asked exactly as you typed it to reduce the redundancy in the presentation.
0:56:42.755 --> 0:56:44.875
REID, Jane
But I think that is all of the questions that we have.
0:56:45.905 --> 0:56:55.345
Maria Kavallaris
Fantastic. Well, I just wanna thank all the participants today for, for coming along and and listening to this and like I mentioned earlier please.
0:56:56.915 --> 0:57:3.835
Maria Kavallaris
You know, go to the consultation hub, put your comments if you've got any other questions you haven't thought about or you go away and you think about them.
0:57:5.555 --> 0:57:10.755
Maria Kavallaris
Please send them to the office for and as part of the consultation, ideally.
0:57:12.555 --> 0:57:17.955
Maria Kavallaris
To get so we can try and address as many as we can. We, you know, want to get this as right as we can and.
0:57:18.685 --> 0:57:20.765
Maria Kavallaris
Your inputs are very valuable to us.
0:57:27.715 --> 0:57:37.435
REID, Jane
I would just like to thank Maria for being the wonderful chair of our EAP and for agreeing to give this presentation to.
0:57:39.505 --> 0:57:41.625
Maria Kavallaris
Pleasure and thank you.
0:57:39.575 --> 0:57:40.335
REID, Jane
Thank you everyone.
0:57:50.695 --> 0:57:51.535
Maria Kavallaris
OK, we survived.
On 5 December 2024, the MRFF Australian Brain Cancer Missions’ Expert Advisory Panel Chair Professor Maria Kavallaris AM, Natasha Ploenges CEO, Health and Medical Research Office and Dr Jane Reid, Director of the Missions Strategy and Implementation Team discussed the National Consultation of the MRFF Australian Brain Cancer Mission’s refreshed Roadmap and the new Implementation Plan.