RACGP Foundation invests more than $654,000 in GP-led research to strengthen patient care
Royal Australian College of GPs
The Royal Australian College GPs (RACGP) is celebrating the Australian General Practice Research Foundation's 2026 Research Grants and Awards, with more than $654,000 invested in GP-led research to improve patient care and health outcomes across Australia.
The Foundation, the RACGP’s philanthropic arm, will support 66 researchers through 13 grants and awards focused on some of the most significant challenges facing general practice. Funded projects span aged care, diabetes, kidney health, medication safety, child and adolescent health, reproductive and postnatal care, older driver safety, GP wellbeing, workforce development, digital health, artificial intelligence and cancer screening.
The research will help translate evidence into practical tools, resources and guidance that support GPs to deliver high-quality care in communities nationwide.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the grants demonstrate the vital role general practice research plays in improving care for patients and communities.
"Some of the best research questions start in the consultation room, when a GP identifies an opportunity to improve care for their patients,” he said.
"These grants support practical, GP-led research grounded in the real-world needs of patients, communities and general practice.
"From safer prescribing and earlier disease detection to stronger aged care, workforce sustainability and GP wellbeing, these projects will help translate evidence into meaningful improvements in care.
"I congratulate all recipients and thank the Foundation's supporters, donors and funding partners for helping build the evidence base that supports high-quality general practice care across Australia."
Australian General Practice Research Foundation Patron Professor Michael Kidd AO said the breadth of funded research highlights the strength and growing impact of GP-led research.
"The Foundation is proud to support research across different career stages and project sizes, all united by a common goal of strengthening general practice and improving patient care,” he said.
"These projects will generate evidence to help ensure general practice remains effective, equitable and responsive to the healthcare needs of Australian communities."
2026 Foundation Grants and Awards recipients
Ageing Well Research Grant
Co-funded by the Wicking Trust
A/Prof Joel Rhee - $150,000
A multidisciplinary model of primary care to minimise unplanned care transitions in older Australians.
Health Services Research in General Practice Grant
Co-funded by the HCF Research Foundation
Dr Lilijana Gorringe - $120,000
Digital Environments as a Determinant of Health: Developing Practical Tools for Assessment and Response in General Practice.
TGL Quality Use of Medicines Research Grant
Funded by Therapeutic Guidelines Limited
Dr Abira Chandrakumar - $99,524
Hidden CKD, hidden risk: Improving kidney health checks and medication safety in general practice.
Diabetes in General Practice Research Grant
Co-funded by Diabetes Australia
Dr Marzieh Niknami - $90,000
Mapping and Prioritising the Unmet Needs of Diabetes Care in Australian General Practice: A National GP and Patient Priority-Setting Study.
Injury Prevention and Recovery in General Practice Grant
Funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission
Prof Katharine Wallis - $50,000
Implementing an Evidence-Based Older Driver Screening Toolkit in Australian General Practice: A Mixed-Methods Implementation Study.
GP Wellbeing Grant
A/Prof Jill Benson AM - $40,000
Developing a validated self-assessment tool for doctors' wellbeing.
Digital Resilience Grant
Funded by Best Practice
Dr Michael Tran - $35,000
Digital Resilience in Australian General Practice: How AI Tools Shape GP Cognitive Load, Wellbeing and Professional Confidence.
ANEDGP South Australia Innovation Grant
Professor Paul Lord - $20,000
Building a Northern Adelaide general practice workforce pipeline: evaluating the impact of medical school curriculum innovation on students' GP career intention.
Family Medical Care Education and Research Grant
Dr Nadia Lusis - $20,000
Understanding general practitioner current practices and support needs for management of pain related to intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.
Chris Silagy Research Grant
Dr Niamh Dove - $15,000
Developmental Surveillance and Screening in Australian General Practice: Exploring the Barriers, Facilitators and Future Policy Implications.
RACGP Western Australia Research Grant
Dr Samantha Hodges - $8,864
Interpregnancy care: a clinical tool for GPs.
Walpole Grieve Award
Dr Kirthana Ketheeswaran - $5,000
Personalised colorectal cancer screening in primary care: five-year follow-up of the CRISP trial.
Charles Bridges-Webb Memorial Award
Dr Rebecca Drygala - $1,000
Understanding GP perspectives on abortion provision and referral in NSW.
The grants were awarded through the Foundation's annual grants and awards program, made possible through the support of RACGP members, donors and funding partners.
Additional Foundation funding opportunities, including PhD scholarships and GP26 conference awards, will be announced later this year.
For more information, visit: racgp.org.au/foundation
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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the voice of general practitioners (GPs) in our growing cities and throughout rural and remote Australia. For more than 60 years, we’ve supported the backbone of Australia’s health system by setting the standards for education and practice and advocating for better health and wellbeing for all Australians.
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