WA Cystic Fibrosis Research Collaborative Program
The WA Cystic Fibrosis Research Collaborative Program is a partnership between the Western Australian Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA), in collaboration with Conquer Cystic Fibrosis (CCF).
This grant program is designed to promote innovative research and sustainable careers in CF research in WA, funding innovative solutions and projects to treat CF and deliver broader public health benefits.
The program is made possible with matched funding through the FHRI fund Co-funding Partnerships Program. With grants awarded totalling $2m in 2025. CFWA and CCF are excited to see the impact that this increase in grant funding will deliver for the CF community.
Funded Projects
Stream 1: Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarships
Recipient: Sarah Thomas
Year: 2025
Project Title: Too much of a good thing?: A blood test to check and understand the levels of CFTR modulators.
Recipient: Talya Conradie
Year: 2025
Project Title: New ways to stop lung infections caused by viruses in people with cystic fibrosis.
Stream 2: Research Innovation
Recipient: Dr Maggie Harrigan
Year: 2025
Project Title: Connected Care: Strengthening Communication and Partnerships in Health for West Australians Living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Recipient: Dr Renee Ng
Year: 2025
Project Title: Removing the invisibility cloak of the germs with the right phage combination
Recipient: Dr Sunaina Parsons
Year: 2025
Project Title: Tracking Heart and Health Risks in People with Cystic Fibrosis
Recipient: Emeritus Professor George Yeoh
Year: 2025
Project Title: Development of a blood test to determine liver disease severity in people with cystic fibrosis
Stream 3: Fellowships
Recipient: Associate Professor Anthony Kicic
Year: 2025
Project Title: Developing a precision approach to phage therapy in Australia.
Recipient: Dr Yuliya Karpievitch
Year: 2025
Project Title: PhageBnB: Finding the right phage to treat cystic fibrosis lung infections anywhere in the world.
Stream 4: Collaborative Grants
Recipient: Dr Kak-Ming Ling, in collaboration with Assistant Professor and Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr Dhammika Leshan Wannigama and Professor Hiroshi Hamamoto from Yamagata University, Japan
Year: 2025
Project Title: Fighting Rare Lung Infections in Cystic Fibrosis with a Promising New Antibiotic
Click here for more information about these projects.
Program Streams
The program is comprised of 4 streams.
- Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarships (Round 2 now open)
- Research Innovation Grants (applications now closed)
- Fellowships (applications now closed)
- Collaborative Grants (applications now closed)
Applications Open
Round 2 of Stream 1: Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarships is now open.
Application and Selection process
All applications will be assessed independently by the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust (ACFRT). The ACFRT is administrated by Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) and supported by CF organisations from all states and territories. All grants awarded are the based on scientific, academic and community-based criteria.
Support the Program
Your support can provide vital funding for world-class CF research being undertaken in WA. With a wide range of research projects, there are many different ways to support this important work, and we welcome your involvement.
For more information and to learn how we can collaborate to support research, please register your interest here, or call 08 6224 4100.