AMAA congratulates and thanks all the grant recipients for their continued work and dedication.
| FY26 Dust Diseases Board Research Grants and Awards Announced We are pleased to announce the recipients of the Dust Diseases Board (DDB) research funding for FY26, awarded under the Research Stream Grants Program and the Researcher Development Stream Awards Program. This year, nine projects across the two streams received funding to support innovative and translational research into occupational dust diseases. Under the Research Stream Grants Program, six projects were awarded funding across the Discovery & Innovation Grants, Research Translation Grants and Dust Diseases Prevention Grants. Dr Alexander Barrow, The University of Melbourne – $120,000 Developing a novel dual-action biologic therapy targeting fibrosis and immune dysfunction in systemic sclerosis and silicosis, with the potential to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for workers affected by silica-related disease. Prof Daniel Chambers, The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation – $162,913 Investigating telomere dysfunction as a biomarker of susceptibility to occupational dust diseases to support earlier identification of at-risk workers and inform future prevention and personalised protection strategies. Dr Huaikai Shi, The Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute – $294,250 Exploring the role of the gut microbiome in improving immunotherapy outcomes for pleural mesothelioma, including the use of faecal microbiota transplantation as a potential non-invasive therapeutic approach. Prof Alexander Donald, The University of New South Wales – $859,324 Advancing the clinical translation of an AI-powered, non-invasive breath test for silicosis to support safer, lower-cost, and radiation-free respiratory surveillance for high-risk workers. Prof Anne Holland, Monash University – $688,339 Implementing and evaluating a silicosis-specific telerehabilitation program across three Australian states to improve access to supportive care, physical rehabilitation, lifestyle support, and peer connection for people living with silicosis, while informing future national scale-up and sustainability. A/Prof Steven Kao, The Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute – $382,600 Establishing Australia’s first integrated germline-somatic precision medicine approach for pleural mesothelioma to support personalised treatment pathways, improved genetic screening, and alignment with emerging international standards of care. Under the Researcher Development Stream Awards Program, funding was awarded to emerging and mid-career researchers undertaking projects focused on improving diagnosis, treatment, prevention and long-term outcomes for people affected by dust diseases. Post-Doctoral Fellowships were awarded to: Dr Adel Aref, Children’s Medical Research Institute – $240,000 Validating and translating a predictive proteomic test for immunotherapy response in pleural mesothelioma to support more precise treatment selection, improve personalised care and reduce unnecessary treatment toxicity. Dr Maggie Lam, Monash University – $240,000 Advancing the early detection of silicosis through the identification of immune-based neutrophil biomarkers to support the development of a scalable, non-invasive blood-based screening approach for workers exposed to hazardous dust. Dr Huaikai Shi, The Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute – $240,000 Investigating whether Lachnospiraceae bacteria and their metabolites can improve the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in pleural mesothelioma, supporting the development of novel therapeutic approaches and improving understanding of immunotherapy response. These initiatives align with the 2025–2029 DDB Grant Strategy, the Strategic Priorities and the DDB Grant Strategy Guiding Principles, supporting research that informs prevention, improves care, and enhances outcomes for workers affected by dust diseases. Full project overviews are available via the links below:View awarded projects – Research Stream Grants Program FY26View recipients – Researcher Development Stream Awards Program FY26 Best regards, Research & Education Team icare Dust Diseases Care |