24 Sep 2018
Applications are now open for the Melbourne HIV Cure Consortium Grants Scheme
Applications are now open for the Melbourne HIV Cure Consortium (MHCC) Grants Scheme - Victorian researchers can apply for a share of $1.2 million dollars to accelerate efforts to find a cure for HIV.
In 2017, the Doherty Institute received funding of $1.2 million from the Victorian State Government through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish the MHCC, a collaborative research effort comprising experts in virology, immunology, drug development, neuroscience, and social research.
In Australia, HIV prevalence is relatively low and people living with HIV have outstanding access to treatment, however this is not the case globally where only 50% of need treatment can access treatment and many countries can’t afford lifelong care for people living with HIV. Stigma is also a major issue that persists in all countries.=
MHCC Chair, Professor Sharon Lewin, Doherty Institute Director, said this multidisciplinary initiative of the Doherty Institute, The Alfred, Monash University, Burnet Institute, RMIT, Latrobe University and civil society, will ensure Melbourne stays on the map as a world-leader in HIV cure research.
“MHCC will work closely with affected communities, ensuring the important research we do is always designed and implemented as a partnership with people living with HIV,” Professor Lewin said.
“If we could find a way for people not to have to take lifelong treatment for HIV, this would have an enormous social and economic impact globally - this funding from DHHS is an important step forward and will allow innovative cure research projects to be substantially expanded in Victoria.”
A Community Advisory Board with members from Thorne Harbour Health, Living Positive Victoria and Positive Women Victoria has been established.
The initial funding will allow MHCC to focus on developing significant Melbourne-based clinical trial(s) that will engage biomedical and social researchers. Large grants of up to $450,000 will be allocated to clinical trials only, they must be interventional and have multiple sites. This funding will be used to leverage extra investment.
The MHCC Small Grants Scheme will be an annual process for grants between $10,000 and $20,000 for discipline related to HIV cure including social research, community engagement, community literacy, early discovery and assay development.
CLICK HERE for more information and to apply by October 16.