Medical Funding in Australia
For those who are unaware, the Australian government is thinking of slashing $400m from the NHMRC in this coming budget. The NHMRC is, of course, the principal medical sciences funding agency for Australian scientists. The $400m cut is to be distributed over a period of 3-4 years, and will impact the direction of medical science research dramatically. There are stories of laboratories nation-wide facing shut-downs or halting projects because they lack the money to perform any research.
Evidently, this will impact all students who are thinking of a career in medical research. Currently, the NHMRC receives ~$700m per annum in funding, which is a tiny amount compared to the money currently spent on health care in Australia. What we need to do is inform the bureaucrats and politicians that we cannot afford to suffer any cuts in funding. You can help by visiting the Discoveries Need Dollars site (below), and contact your local MP, voicing your concerns. The time to act is now.