Measure 8.3: Increased number and value of dementia research grants approved

Given the significant impact of dementia in Australia, it is important that the Australian government invests in local dementia related research to inform Australian policy and programs. The desired outcome is an increase in the number and value of dementia research grants approved.

Three indicators are being tracked for this measure using information from the following government-funded bodies:

  • Indicator

    Number of government-funded dementia research grants approved.

  • Baseline value

    36 dementia research grants were announced in 2024

  • Latest value

    Baseline value only

  • Progress

    To be provided in future updates

  • Indicator

    Value of government-funded dementia research grants approved.

  • Baseline value

    The value of government-funded dementia research grants announced in 2024 was $97.4 million

  • Latest value

    Baseline value only

  • Progress

    To be provided in future updates

  • Indicator

    Value of dementia research grants as a proportion of all government-funded research.

  • Baseline value

    Dementia research grants made up 4.0% of the value of all research grants announced in 2024

  • Latest value

    Baseline value only

  • Progress

    To be provided in future updates

Change over time

Future updates of this report will track changes over time for the above three indicators.

Historical change over time: 2014 to 2024

Between 2014 and 2024, the number and value of dementia research grants approved ranged from under $10 million for 22 grants in 2014, to over $114 million for 131 grants in 2015 (Figure 8.3.1). 

The highest proportion of grants allocated and grant funding awarded to dementia research out of all research grants, occurred in 2015 (5.4% and 7.9% respectively; Figure 8.3.2).

Year-to-year variability in the number and value of grants was influenced by specific research initiatives. For example, the Boosting Dementia Research Initiative, coordinated by the then NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research, started in 2015 and delivered $200 million in dementia research across 5 years, ending in 2019. 

The NHMRC generally provided the greatest value to dementia research grants, with MRFF being the next highest contributor after starting funding in 2017. A MRFF grant of $50 million from the 2023 BioMedTech Incubator - Dementia and Cognitive Decline round for the CUREator+ accelerating innovations for dementia and cognitive decline project, was announced in 2024 and made the MRFF the largest dementia funder in 2024.

Figure 8.3.1: Number of grants and value awarded to dementia research, by funding source and year, 2014–2024

A stacked column chart showing the value of grants awarded to dementia research by funding source over time. Funding increased substantially after 2014, with the highest value awarded from NHMRC in 2015. MRFF funding for dementia research started in 2018 and accounted for about a third of funding, until 2024 when it provided most of the funding due to a large grant of $50 million. ARC is the smallest funding source. 

The stacked column chart is overlaid with a line graph showing the number of grants awarded to dementia research by funding source over time. The number of NHMRC grants has decreased from a peak in 2015. The number of MRFF grants has increased since 2018, with a peak in 2023, and the number of ARC grants remained lower but steady.

A stacked column chart showing the value of grants awarded to dementia research by funding source over time. Funding increased substantially after 2014, with the highest value awarded from NHMRC in 2015. MRFF funding for dementia research started in 2018 and accounted for about a third of funding, until 2024 when it provided most of the funding due to a large grant of $50 million. ARC is the smallest funding source. The stacked column chart is overlaid with a line graph showing the number of grants awarded to dementia research by funding source over time. The number of NHMRC grants has decreased from a peak in 2015. The number of MRFF grants has increased since 2018, with a peak in 2023, and the number of ARC grants remained lower but steady.

Figure 8.3.2: Proportion of all research grants allocated, and grant funding awarded to dementia related research, by year, 2014–2024

Column chart shows that the proportions of grants and funding allocated to dementia have remained relatively steady after a peak in 2015.

Column chart shows that the proportions of grants and funding allocated to dementia have remained relatively steady after a peak in 2015.

Other sources of dementia research funding

There is other government funding that is indirectly supporting dementia research but not included in this indicator, such as the $27.25 million provided by the ARC to the Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research for 2017–2024.

There are also non-government sources of funding, through various philanthropic foundations as well as via bequests and other donations made to relevant research institutes. However, as these are non-government sources, they are considered out of scope of the Action Plan’s influence.

Previous page
Next page