The next grant round will offer a range of opportunities for stroke research teams across Australia to test their ideas in stroke prevention, treatment and recovery. Our grants aim to build capacity in areas of need in stroke research and support the next generation of researchers to become leaders in their field.

Engagement of people with lived experience is a core focus of Stroke Foundation’s research grants. Ensuring safe, supportive and positive engagement is paramount.

Completion of our co-designed e-learning module on how to work effectively with people with lived experience is a requirement of our grants.

Grants offered

Seed Grants

Seed Grants of up to $80,000 each for projects of up to 18-months addressing our 2024 research priority areas.

We aim to fund at least one grant in each priority area.

2024 research priority areas

1 - Research on underserved communities in acute stages of care.

Study areas include (but are not limited to):

• Early detection of stroke (i.e. increased awareness of the warning signs of stroke and emergency response)
• Improving access to acute stroke services and specialist care
• Developing and evaluating health services or pathways to improve emergency stroke treatment outcomes
  
  

Underserved communities are referred to in the context of those who face barriers to equitable inclusion or access. Examples include (but are not limited to): First Nations communities, rural and remote communities, socially isolated people, culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

Studies for rehabilitation processes/interventions will not be considered for funding within this priority area.

2 - Translational and implementation research.

Projects must specifically assess how to improve adoption or implementation of evidence-based treatments/processes, that have been shown to be effective, within health care or home settings. Only studies using a translational design, where the core component is implementation of existing evidence will be considered for funding. Studies to test or develop new or unproven treatments/processes, will not be considered for funding within this priority area.

Researchers are recommended to focus on areas where there is a strong clinical guideline recommendation but there is a known gap in care.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• improved early access of reperfusion (increased % of patients receiving reperfusion within 60 mins); or
• routine fitness training for those involved in inpatient or community rehabilitation; or
• tailored information provision; or
• embedding communication partner training in an acute stroke unit for staff and volunteers; or
• better detection and management of atrial fibrillation

3 - Long-term community support beyond 6 months post-stroke.

Projects must focus on improved connection to and delivery of community-based care for people living with stroke. Outcomes must be measured at least 6 months after a person’s stroke. This could relate to long-term outcomes from previously conducted pilot work.

Settings and examples include (but are not limited to):

• Community health services
• Primary care
• Interventions for improved continuity of care
• Reduced social isolation
• Support for childhood stroke including aspects such as (not limited to) post-stroke epilepsy
  
  

4 - Long-term psychosocial recovery beyond 6 months post-stroke.

Projects must focus on psychological needs and emotional and social wellbeing for people living with stroke which may include the relationships with their family/carer. Outcomes must be measured at least 6 months after a person’s stroke.

Study areas include (but are not limited to):

• Mental, emotional and social wellness
• Recovery of cognition
• Communication
• Childhood stroke

Tim Glendinning Memorial Fund for Young Adult Stroke
(proudly supported by Yieldbroker)

The Tim Glendinning Memorial Fund for Young Adult Stroke offers a grant of up to $80,000 for a project of up to two years to address:

‘Psychosocial and mental wellness of people living with stroke in young adulthood.’

The focus of this grant is on:

• Helping people who experienced a stroke during young adulthood in living their best life
• Addressing ‘unseen’ challenges (i.e. issues or conditions typically not outwardly visible) faced by young adult survivors of stroke, their families and friends, that affect emotional and social wellbeing
• Improving personal and social capability in young adults living with stroke
• Reducing social withdrawal and isolation as a result of stroke in young adults
• Encouraging and advancing qualitative research into young adult stroke and mental health.

Future Leader Grants

Future Leader Grants of up to $15,000 each aim to strengthen leadership skills for emerging researchers seeking to further their stroke research specialty and develop collaborative networks.

Examples of ways in which the funding may be used include (but are not limited to):

• Travel (domestic and/or international) and associated costs to spend time in research facilities (e.g. a centre of excellence)
• Formal mentoring programs
• Leadership training
• Developing skills in effective consumer engagement and co-design

See past grant recipients for projects funded through the generosity of our supporters.