$130 million funding boost for childhood brain cancer and intellectual disability research

Children and families will benefit from a new Federal Government investment of $130 million in medical research, targeting some of the most pressing childhood health challenges, including brain cancer, intellectual disability and infertility.

The announcement, made by Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, will support 71 projects through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), with a strong focus on conditions that directly affect children’s health, development and wellbeing.

Childhood brain cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in Australians under 25. In a major breakthrough, Associate Professor Quenten Schwarz from the University of South Australia has been awarded nearly $3 million to lead new research into Diffuse Midline Glioma, a rare and devastating childhood brain cancer with almost no treatment options.

The project, delivered in collaboration with the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney, will use advanced stem-cell models to better understand the origins of the disease and pave the way for more effective treatments.

“This grant offers an exciting opportunity to pioneer a new approach to uncover the genetic and environmental factors that lead to Diffuse Midline Glioma,” Associate Professor Schwarz said. “By using engineered and patient-derived stem cell technologies, we aim to unravel the origins of the cancer and provide new resources for identifying better treatments to improve patient outcomes.”

For children, families and communities, this investment signals hope. Early diagnosis, more effective treatment and greater understanding of conditions such as intellectual disability and brain cancer have the potential to improve not only health outcomes but also the learning, development and wellbeing outcomes supported in early learning services.

ECEC professionals often work closely with children who experience health challenges or developmental differences. Greater investment in medical research can provide new insights and tools to support children’s participation, inclusion and success in early learning environments.

The total $130.4 million investment will be spread across six MRFF initiatives:

• Australian Brain Cancer Mission
• Clinical Trials Activity
• Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research
• Frontier Health and Medical Research
• Research Data Infrastructure
• Traumatic Brain Injury Mission

Minister Butler said the funding reinforced Australia’s role as a leader in health research and innovation.

“Australia has a remarkable history of leading research against brain cancer and this funding is another step forward to give children with brain cancer access to innovative treatment,” he said.

“This investment continues our government’s commitment to advancing health and medical innovation, delivering better health outcomes and hope for Australian families.”

Read the full media release here.