Life Sciences – Page 5 – WA Innovation Calendar

OMRI Speaker Series: WA Chief Scientist Professor Sharath Sriram

The Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) is pleased to host the inaugural event in its new OMRI Speaker Series, featuring Western Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Sharath Sriram, on Tuesday 31 March 2026.

This event marks the launch of a new Speaker Series designed to provide a regular forum for thought leadership, discussion and sector‑wide engagement across Western Australia’s health and medical research and innovation ecosystem.

The inaugural session will feature the WA Chief Scientist in conversation, focusing on the future of health and medical research and innovation in Western Australia. The discussion will explore emerging priorities, opportunities and challenges, and the role of collaboration across government, research, industry and the health system in delivering impact for the community.

We encourage participation either in person or online. The event will be delivered as a hybrid session, with opportunities for both in‑room and virtual engagement. Please select which session you will be attending. Links to the livestream will be sent to online registrants closer to the event date.

DEADLINE: CRC-P Grants Round 19

Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants fund short-term industry-led collaborative research projects for up to 3 years. These are open to all sectors. As part of the AI Accelerator initiative, CRC-P round 19 includes up to $20 million for projects to help businesses and researchers across Australia accelerate AI development and commercialisation.

Learn more about the grant and apply here: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/cooperative-research-centres-projects-crcp-grants

WALSIH Virtual Global Expert Program: Chris Molloy

This session will discuss what support SME’s and service companies can benefit from in a changing investment and licensing market. These include agile access to new decision-making technologies and ‘Pharma-class’ R&D expertise. Also to the right services, in the right places at the right time.

It will cover international R&D opportunities between Australia, UK and other nations supported by existing trade and regulatory alliances to speed up access to R&D services, trials, regulatory guidance and investment.

The session will also discuss the impact on the sector of AI, Real World Clinical Evidence and a wide range of advanced therapeutics starting with Cell & Gene Therapies, but also radiopharmaceuticals, nanomedicines and targeted drug delivery that will shape a new generation of high-value precision medicines.

WALSIH Virtual Global Expert Program: Steven Haken

If you’re building a medtech or digital health company with eyes on Europe, this session is exactly what you need before you make your next move.

This event will be bringing in Steven Haken, Managing Director of Odelle Technology, for the first session of the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub’s Virtual Global Expert Program.

20+ years structuring reimbursement pathways across the UK and EU for med devices, diagnostics, biotech therapeutics, and digital health.

Monday 9 March | 3:00–4:30pm AWST | Virtual

Reimbursement Ready: Essential Insights for MedTech Innovators

Reimbursement Ready: Essential Insights for MedTech Innovators

This one-hour online event is designed to help you build a MedTech product that’s truly reimbursement-ready.

Join Paul Dale, Director of Policy (Reimbursement) at the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), as he unpacks:

How reimbursement works and what payers look for
An introduction to the Australian medical device payer landscape
Key questions innovators should be asking early in development

Learn more and register

DEADLINE: MRFF 2026 BioMedTech Incubator

The MRFF 2026 BioMedTech Incubator Program provides grants of up to $33 million to support medical research and medical innovation projects through the establishment of BioMedTech Incubators.

The grant is for an eligible organisation who can establish a working incubator, to partner with Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to progress new and innovative medical research projects through the early stages of development.

Applicants may propose to support development of innovations in their area/s of strength (i.e. applicants are not required to propose a program that covers the breadth of the biomedtech sector).

Learn more about the opportunity here

DEADLINE: MRFF 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure

The 2026 National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative invests in research infrastructure to ensure Australian researchers find innovative solutions to complex health problems in areas of unmet medical need. This grant opportunity has four streams.

Stream 1 – Innovation enablers
Stream 2 – Digitisation of health care
Stream 3 – Co-investment partnerships
Stream 4 – mRNA technology enablers

Deadline 14 July

DEADLINE: FHRI Spotlight Program Consultation

The Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund is inviting Western Australian researchers, innovators, clinicians, consumers and members of the public to help shape future Spotlight Program topics.

This short survey will help inform the selection of future Spotlight topics. Topics may focus on specific disease areas or broader health system challenges that require innovative, coordinated solutions. Responses will be considered alongside relevant data, evidence, government priorities and advice from the FHRI Fund Advisory Council.

DEADLINE: Perth Biodesign Flagship 2026 Program

Perth Biodesign is a globally connected healthcare innovation program, based on the Stanford Biodesign methodology and built for innovators from all backgrounds.

By combining real hospital access, world-class mentorship, and a 7-month, part-time format, we enable participants to tackle pressing needs in healthcare through technology innovation. Since our inception in 2016, the program has propelled 500+ alumni who are transforming healthcare both nationally and internationally.

Deadline 22 March 2026

2026 Perth Biodesign Flagship Program Info Session #2

2026 Flagship Program Info Session #2
Thinking about applying for the Perth Biodesign 2026 Flagship program? Wondering if it’s right for you?

You’ll learn all about the program structure, what’s involved, how past cohorts went, tips for the application process and the time commitment. You’ll also hear from Biodesign alumni about their experience!