Research

The Asthma Foundation of WA’s research programme has the following broad objectives:

1. Promotion of asthma research by encouraging Western Australian based researchers to target asthma and promoting new researchers to an interest in asthma.
2. Raising public awareness through public meetings and media coverage which promotes asthma research and the need for continuing research based in Western Australia.
3. Funding of asthma research by providing financial support for selected research studies directed towards:
   • Understanding the cause and mechanism of asthma
   • Improving asthma treatment and management by doctors and patients.
   • Understanding the nature and scale of asthma's impact on the community.
4. Lobbying for increased resources by liaising with governments to provide increased resources for asthma research and patient services.

Asthma Foundation Research Committee

All research funded by the Asthma Foundation of WA must be based in Western Australia.

On behalf of the Foundation the Research Committee recommends applications for various types of research:

1. New Investigator Grants
   The aim of these grants is to attract new researchers to the asthma field and to give them a "step-up" into the competitive national grant funding system. A New Investigator Grant allows new researchers to collect the preliminary data required to apply for ongoing funding by other bodies (eg NH&MRC). New investigators are defined as those not having previously been named as a Chief Investigator on national competitive grants. Projects with budgets no larger than $25,000 (plus GST) should be submitted for consideration.
2. Project Research Grants
   These are traditional project grants, aimed primarily at established investigators. Projects with budgets no larger than $45,000 (plus GST) should be submitted for consideration.
3. PhD Scholarship
   Researchers who currently hold or have been approved for a full PhD Scholarship from another body, are eligible to apply for a Scholarship Top-Up from the Foundation to assist in their studies. Their PhD should apply to full time research in an area relevant to people with asthma. Assistance of up to $5,000 p.a. is available for the life of the PhD, to a maximum of three years.
4. Vi Watson Vacation Scholarships
   These scholarships are named in the memory of lifetime supporter Ms Vi Watson (deceased), who established the Kojonup Opportunity Shop, with the help of her daughter, Mrs Cheryl Walker, to raise funds for asthma research. Funding of $200 per week is provided for a maximum of 10 weeks over the summer break, to assist student with costs over this time.

Applications for Research Grants
Applications are now open for funding for 2009 New Investigator Grants and Project Research Grants. Click here for Guidelines and Application Form.

For more information please contact:
Research Grants Officer
Ph: (08) 9289 3602
Fx: (08) 9289 3601
Em: ResearchGrants@asthmawa.org.au