Mater Foundation has been awarded a $946 000 grant as part of Equity Trustees’ new Medical and Health Partnership Program, supporting medical research.

The grant, to be received over three years, will support a range of research projects at Mater Research, in areas of cancer, diabetes and children’s diseases.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Officer Nigel Harris said it was a wonderful outcome for Mater’s world-class researchers to be recognised in this way.

“These funds will enhance initiatives that support the development of mid-career researchers through the Career Track Fellow and Gender Equity programs.

“This grant is a significant commitment from Equity Trustees and it will make a considerable difference to Mater researchers who have an exciting and very promising career ahead of them,” he said.

Mater Foundation was one of three recipients nationally to be awarded grants as part of this unique partnership program, which aims to link researchers with healthcare professionals in a meaningful, two-way collaboration, to generate and rapidly translate patient-focused research.

Mater Research Chief Executive Officer Professor John Prins said this new program would go a long way to support Mater researchers embarking on their careers.

“This innovative program will allow research at Mater to expand in areas including the development of early researcher careers, for which funding is traditionally difficult to obtain.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits of this collaboration over the next three years and we thank Equity Trustees for their generous support,” Professor Prins said.

The partnership program is made up of 24 philanthropic trusts, managed by Equity Trustees, which will distribute a total of $3 million over three years to three nominated charities, including Mater Foundation.