2025 Research Grants recipients

Four emerging Australian researchers share in $164,669 to pave the way for survivors of stroke.

Stroke Foundation Seed Grants

Seed Grants aim to generate new knowledge, kickstart innovative projects and provide a platform for emerging researchers to tackle gaps in stroke care and excel in their stroke specialty.

Our 2025 Seed grants called for projects to address:

• Research in priority populations (as defined) in any stage of care.
• Translational and implementation research.
• Long-term community support beyond 6 months post-stroke.
• Long-term psychosocial recovery beyond 6 months post-stroke.

Two projects were awarded Seed Grants of up to $80,000 each, commencing in 2025.

Seed Grant Recipients

Dr Lloyd Chan - Neuroscience Research Australia SmartStep Stroke: A cognitive-motor step exergame program for improving mobility in stroke survivors. SmartStep is a step training system designed specifically for people with balance challenges. It is home-based and uses interactive games played on an electronic floor mat. This project will tailor the program for people with stroke to see if it improves their balance and mobility long-term.

Dr Taylor Jenkin - Murdoch Children's Research Institute Finding my way: Co-designing an online psychosocial program to support adolescents with stroke in transitioning to adulthood. Up to 600 children and adolescents have a stroke each year in Australia. There are currently no resources or programs that are available to young people with childhood stroke that specifically support them in navigating the transition to adulthood. This project will co-develop and pilot test an online resource to support adolescents with stroke through this complex transition process.

2025 Future Leader Grants

These grants aim to develop leadership skills, increase potential for successful collaboration, build confidence and capabilities of emerging researchers, including those with lived experience, to contribute to stroke research.

Future Leader Grant Recipients

Brooke Parsons - The Florey Institute Driving positive change for the stroke community. Brooke is a survivor of stroke committed to driving positive change and improving outcomes for others in the stroke community. This grant supports attending the Conference of State Parties Convention on the rights of people with disabilities in New York, mentoring, networking and collaboration opportunities and skills development.

Dr Kelly Miles - Macquarie University Working to improve communication and connectivity for survivors of stroke. Kelly is a survivor of stroke and a research scientist specialising in hearing and communication. This grant supports mentoring with experts from the Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation and Recovery, and work towards innovative solutions to improve communication and connectivity for survivors of stroke.

Stroke Foundation Research Grants