The Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative, a Medical Research Future Fund initiative delivered by MTPConnect, is rolling out a $38 million funding opportunity to improve the prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and their related complications in Australia.
The TTRA program is designed to support and incentivise translation as a natural course of activity for those applying and receiving funding. This will be delivered through mentoring and commercialisation advice provided by TTRA partners MDPP, ANDHealth, Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation (AusHSI), and UniQuest to those applying for and receiving Research Project funding.
TTRA will stimulate collaboration across clinical, research and industry organisations and leverage strengths across the sector to ultimately produce novel preventative interventions, diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics and digital health approaches and products for D&CVD that reduce the burden on patients, families and communities.
Research Projects
$18 million to support translational Research Projects that have the potential to transform diabetes and cardiovascular disease outcomes and reduce the burden of disease on patients, families and the community.
The TTRA Research Projects must develop innovative preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic and/or disease management products/solutions to address one of the following Priority Areas:
- Priority 1: Mental health conditions in people living with at least two of the following: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease; or
- Priority 2: Chronic kidney disease in people living with at least two of the following: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease; or
- Priority 3: Cardiac and vascular complications arising in people living with diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) and cardiovascular disease; OR Cardiovascular disease in people living with Type 1 diabetes and insulin resistance (double diabetes).
Research Centres
$20 million to support the establishment of two new Research Centres; one focused on diabetes-associated complications and the other on cardiovascular disease-associated complications and each funded for up to $10 million over four years.
The Diabetes Research Centre’s translational research, development and implementation science activities will address the following Priority Areas:
- Priority 1: Diabetic kidney disease;
- Priority 2: Peripheral neuropathy and diabetic foot syndrome;
- Priority 3: Short-term complications of hypoglycaemia and/or hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) and ketoacidosis.
The Cardiovascular Disease Research Centre’s translational research, development and implementation science activities will address the following Priority Areas:
- Priority 1: Coronary artery disease (including angina and MACE);
- Priority 2: Cardiomyopathy / heart failure;
- Priority 3: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) / stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic).
Round 3 of the TTRA Research Projects funding will open in January 2023 and will be dedicated to support diabetes and cardiovascular disease projects that address the unmet health and medical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.