New research project grants approved

Words. Joy Gillett OAM
CEO, Australian Rotary Health

At the meeting of the ARH Research Committee held in October, more than 100 applications for funding commencing in February 2026 and for up to three years were assessed. The committee selected and recommended to the board of Australian Rotary Health 11 projects to be funded. These projects, all in the area of ‘Improving the Mental Health of 0-12 year olds’ were approved for funding.

The successful projects from around Australia are focussed on different areas to improve mental health, directly related to the 0-12 age group. The broad topics are Mental health awareness for upper primary school; Preventing AI chatbot harm to pre-teens; Sleep problems; Treating childhood phobias; Postnatal depression, its effect on children; Anxiety treatment online; Incarcerated fathers and their relationship with their children; ‘Technoference’ device technology use by parents, the effect on children; Tackling perfectionism in childhood; School avoidance improvement.

Each of the 11 projects has been approved for two or three years, with an allocation of up to $100,000 per year. The total commitment over three years is $2,881,225.00.

Thanks to everyone who reads the RDU Australian Rotary Health column and this, my final column. I welcome my successor to the role of CEO of Australian Rotary Health, Yvonne Keane AM, and wish her well. I am sure she will do a marvellous job, and I look forward to an exciting future for ARH.