NICM Collaborative Centre Establishment Program

 

The 2008 successful NICM Collaborative Centres followed in an extensive and competitive application process. Each application was assessed by at least three external reviewers, who were from both Australia and overseas. NICM had the support of a highly qualified and experienced Expert Assessment Panel to assess the applications.

There was a high level of competition for the limited funding available - $1.8M, against a total funding request of $6.25M.

The three successful recipients of the NICM Collaborative Centre grants will generate a further $7.5 M in additional leveraged funds (cash and in-kind) committed by universities and collaborative partners.

 

 

 

NICM Collaborative Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Funding - $734,000

The centre unites leading Australian TCM and conventional medical researchers in specific areas of interest. A unique consortium of universities, the centre will build networks, address important methodological challenges relevant to TCM research and conduct research in herbal medicine and acupuncture, with the goal of improving TCM research, practice and health outcomes. In the network building stream, the centre will build collaborations around clinical trials, acupuncture methodology and herbal analytical chemistry. In the research project stream, it will evaluate the potential for TCM to reduce the burden of disease in type-2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

 

Collaborative institutions where the research will be conducted:
University of Sydney, University of Western Sydney, RMIT, University of Adelaide, Southern Cross University, University of Canberra, University of Technology Sydney and University of NSW.

 

 

NICM Collaborative Centre for Transitional Preclinical and Clinical Research in Nutraceuticals and Herbal Medicine
Funding - $660,000

The centre aims to bring together existing capacity in the Australian community to foster research, development and investment in complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) in an ethically and socially responsible manner and to help develop educational and informational resources for CAMs. The centre will focus on key areas of expertise in the participating institutions, with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular medicine; including diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome, and an equally important focus on ageing and skin health.

Its work will span basic laboratory science, in vivo studies, clinical trials, nutraceutical-drug interaction studies (eg herbs) and education.

 

Collaborative institutions where the research will be conducted:
Monash University, Garvan Institute, Centre, Epworth Medical Centre, University of Queensland, University of NSW and Griffith University

 

NICM Collaborative Centre for the Study of Natural Medicines and Neurocognition in Health and Disease
Funding $350,000

Natural medicines are widely used by the general community to improve memory and to ameliorate cognitive or intellectual decline. However, there are few scientifically valid trials evaluating their efficacy in terms of improving memory or cognition. The research centre will systematically study whether a range of natural medicines improves memory, cognition and brain functioning in health participants and in some cases patients who show abnormal signs of cognitive deterioration (such as Alzheimer's Dementia). The centre will also assess the brain mechanisms associated with chronic administration of natural medicines.

 

Collaborative institutions where the research will be conducted:
Swinburne University of Technology, Alfred Hospital and University of Western Australia