The Australian Government is investing nearly $14.5 million into research to improve our understanding of the impacts of long COVID on individuals, the community and the Australian health system.
The 12 grants are the first investments from a $50 million commitment from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to generate better evidence on the effective management of long COVID in the Australian community.
They will generate knowledge to support new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for people with long COVID, co-led by GPs and primary care, and fast‑track how to best support people living with it.
The grants are the first investments from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Post-Acute Sequalae of COVID-19 Research Plan. The Government has committed $50 million to the MRFF Research Plan to fund research that investigates:
- how people experience long COVID, including the impact on their physical and mental health and social and emotional wellbeing
- the population-wide and health system impacts
- the cause, progression and factors that influence prognosis
- national trials to rapidly assess and fast‑track therapies.
A second grant opportunity under the MRFF Research Plan will invest up to $28 million over the next two years to ensure health systems meet the needs of people living with long COVID, including high-quality and equitable access. Research under this opportunity will start in 2025.
This latest investment is on top of more than $13 million so far from the MRFF, and nearly $169 million to support 85 grants on diagnostics, vaccine development, antiviral development, clinical trials, digital health research infrastructure, studying the human immune response to COVID-19 infection, community information needs and behavioural responses during outbreaks.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Australian Government recognises the long-term impacts of COVID-19, including for those who experience prolonged symptoms following an acute COVID‑19 infection.
“Long COVID is an emerging health issue, both in Australia and internationally. The Albanese Government is investing $50 million for research into Long COVID.
“The Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare for all Australians, but particularly to provide the kind of multidisciplinary team-based healthcare for people with chronic and complex conditions like long COVID.”
