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DEADLINE: FHRI Innovation Seed Fund 2025-26 [extended]

The purpose of the Innovation Seed Fund 2025-26 is to support WA innovators to develop and commercialise their health and medical innovations through start-up companies operating in WA, creating high-value jobs and enhancing the biomedical support and manufacturing capacity of the State.

The funding will be used to support the validation of inventive concepts, the feasibility testing of proposed solutions, and the advancement of developed solutions towards the path of commercialisation within the following streams:

Stream 1 – Devices, diagnostic and digital
The innovation is a device or technology that will prevent, diagnose, treat and/or monitor a health condition that impacts the people of Western Australia. This includes but is not limited to novel equipment, digital tools, and medical implants that aim to improve the safety, effectiveness, access, timeliness and/or cost as compared with existing practice.

Stream 2 – Therapeutics and vaccines
The innovation is a drug, compound or medical biologic that will prevent, detect, or treat a health condition that impacts the people of Western Australia. This includes but is not limited to novel medicines, vaccines, immune modulators and other medical products derived from chemical or biological material that aim to improve safety, quality, access or patient outcomes as compared with existing practice.

Expression of Interest applications due: 1:00pm (AWST), Thursday 22 January 2026*
Extended to 30 Jan 2026

DEADLINE: MedTech Actuator Program

Transform your health venture
Created for ambitious Australian early-stage healthcare startups, the Accelerator is a six-month, milestone-driven program designed to accelerate the commercial strategy, team capability, and technology development.

Across two phases, the Accelerator equips founders with the skills, confidence, and practical know-how to lead their startups effectively.

Participants receive hands-on guidance from industry experts, tailored mentoring, and cohort-based accountability standups. These insights translate into real progress as teams validate markets, progress their technology, and refine their go-to-market strategy.

Clear milestones and expert-reviewed data rooms help startups track and leverage momentum and enter fundraising with confidence.

MedTech Actuator Accelerator Info Session

​Applications are open for the MedTech Actuator Accelerator, a program designed to help MedTech, BioTech, and HealthTech startups grow and scale across Australia and Asia-Pacific.

​Join Lizzie Laurence, Program Manager, and Makenzie Thomas, Portfolio Manager, to learn more about the program, hear from alumni, and get tips on making your application stand out.

​What’s covered in this session:

  • ​An overview of the program and its benefits
  • ​Alumni sharing their Accelerator experience
  • ​A step-by-step guide through the application process

​This is a great opportunity to find out if the Accelerator is the right fit for you and your startup.

DEADLINE: MedChem Australia Round 3

Empowering Australian drug discovery
MedChem Australia is a national drug discovery initiative that works with the Australian biomedical research community and guides early-stage projects through the critical value creation steps where ‘hits’ are optimised to drug candidates with enhanced commercial value and clinical potential.

MedChem Australia provides expert medicinal chemistry & DMPK capability at 80% subsidised cost to selected projects to enhance, accelerate, and enable the development of new small molecule therapeutics. Projects to receive subsidised support are selected through a competitive and independent application process. Applications are invited through annual calls, with researchers from Australian Universities, Medical Research Institutes, and SMEs eligible to apply.

MedChem Australia Round 3 – Application Information Session

Join us for an online information session to learn everything you need to know about MedChem Australia’s Round 3 Call for Applications.

MedChem Australia supports Australian researchers by providing access to a high-quality medicinal chemistry and DMPK team to help progress promising early-stage drug discovery projects. While they don’t provide direct funding, successful applicants receive intensive project support valued at an ~80% subsidy.

During this session we will cover:

🔹 An overview of MedChem Australia and our collaborative project model

🔹 Eligibility and project suitability

🔹 How to apply, key dates, and assessment criteria

🔹 Tips for preparing a strong application

🔹 Q&A with the MedChem Australia team

This session is ideal for academic researchers, early-career scientists, tech-transfer teams, and anyone considering submitting an application.

DEADLINE: WAGES Grant Development Workshop EOIs

Expressions of interest are now open for the inaugural WAGES workshop for WA-based early-to-mid-career researchers (EMCRs), particularly those applying for MRFF EMCR Scheme. The workshops are designed for teams to come together and develop and enhance their research ideas into a strategic research plan for a grant application. At the conclusion, you will have the basis for your strategic research plan and access to follow-on support including independent peer review of your full grant application.

Complete this EOI form by 14 January 2026

Accelerating Innovation Systems: how ICBs can drive innovation adoption

Innovation Unit will unpack their work with The Health Foundation and nine ICBs across the country. They have been exploring how strategic commissioning can be used to accelerate evidence-based innovations that reduce inequalities and improve lives.

This session is designed for those doing the work moving beyond the theory to share practical insights on:

  • Embedding innovation in commissioning cycles
  • Leveraging the wider innovation ecosystem
  • Real-world examples of successful adoption

TERN Webinar – Applying Environmental Data to Forecasting Health Issues

The One Health framework recognises a fundamental truth: human health, animal health, and environmental health are inseparable. Understanding our environment is the key to predicting and preventing emerging health crises affecting all Australians.

As climate change accelerates, we’re witnessing unprecedented health challenges at the intersection of environmental change and disease. Extreme heat events, bushfire smoke, droughts, air pollution, allergens and shifting disease patterns are increasingly threatening Australian communities.

This webinar brings together three leading researchers pioneering solutions to these challenges

DEADLINE: MSWA Multiple Sclerosis & Neurological Care Accelerator

Backing breakthrough technologies to improve life for people with neurological conditions

MSWA and Founders Factory have partnered to fast-track global startups developing innovations that transform care for people living with MS and other neurological conditions.

The program supports early-stage ventures harnessing AI, robotics, wearables, and digital health to address multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease and acquired brain injury.

Founders gain access to investment, expert-led workshops, 1:1 mentoring, and access to a global network of clinicians, researchers, and health tech leaders. Together, our goal is to turn breakthrough ideas into tangible improvements in care, mobility, and independence.

Learn more and apply here: https://foundersfactory.com/mswa-ms-neurological-care-accelerator/

Perth Biodesign Showcase 2025

​​This is where Western Australia’s health innovation community gathers: the innovators building new technologies, clinicians who understand the patient need, investors backing breakthrough ideas, and industry leaders building the companies that will scale them.

​​A proud satellite event of Australia’s largest and longest-running tech festival, West Tech Fest.

​​Whether you’re already part of the Perth Biodesign community or discovering it for the first time, you’ll see what happens when real clinical needs meet disciplined innovation. Whether you’re working on your own healthcare venture, investing in early-stage health tech, treating patients and seeing gaps in care, shaping policy that supports this ecosystem, or building the companies that will scale these solutions, you’ll find your people here.

Register here: https://luma.com/wmuh4snz