19 June 2019
The Morrison Government will invest $924,100 for research to develop cutting edge technology to help people regain eyesight, movement, and other nerve functions.
The Cortical Frontiers: Commercialising Brain Machine Interfaces project is headed by Professor Arthur Lowery, Professor of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at Monash University, and is one of 10 highly promising research projects to be funded under Stage One of Frontiers.
The device was originally developed to restore vision, but can be repurposed to provide stimulation of many neural functions.
This project in collaboration with doctors and patients will help to identify the two most promising applications of the technology for development.
In Cortical Frontiers, Monash University is partnering with Melbourne-based medical device company Anatomics, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
CSIRO will contribute to metallisation, brazing and laser welding to allow interface with the precious metal components of the implanted device.
Our Governments $570 million Frontiers initiative is designed to allow researchers to push the boundaries to develop tomorrow’s health and medical breakthroughs.
This game changing Morrison Government investment will allow teams of Australia’s brightest to move ideas from concept to reality, solidifying the Nations reputation as a global health and medical research powerhouse.
Frontiers has a unique, two-stage structure. In Stage One, 10 selected applicants will receive funding of up to $1 million each over one year to develop detailed planning for their cutting-edge research projects.
Each of the selected 10, like Cortical Frontiers, will be able to apply for Frontiers Stage Two, with the opportunity to secure up to $50 million or more to realise their ground-breaking research plan.
Applications were assessed by an International Scientific Peer Review Panel to ensure those recommended for funding would deliver new to world ideas and opportunities.
Frontiers originated under the Australian Government’s $1.3 billion National Health and Medical Industry Growth Plan and in the 2019-20 Budget has been extended until 2027-28.
Frontiers provides endless possibilities for Australia’s talented researchers.
This investment has the potential to transform healthcare and stimulate growth in the Australian medical technologies, biomedical and pharmaceutical sector, a vital part of the innovation economy.
Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into ground-breaking medical research, Medicare, mental health, life-saving medicines, and hospitals.
