Julie Owens Federal member for Parramatta distributed over $275,000 to 41 deserving young medical research students at The Millennium Foundation awards nights.

As part of its commitment to ensuring Westmead Millennium Institute can keep the best minds in the country to complete its vital research, The Millennium Foundation initiated these ‘awards’ or ‘grants’ over 10 years ago.

There are two types of awards, the coveted Foundation Initiating Grant, which this year was award to Venessa Pattullo, and Stipend Enhancement Support or ‘top up grants’.

The Foundation Initiating Grant supports a medical research student for one year at the same grant level as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

40 other students were awarded the ‘top up grants’. These are presented to students who have successfully received outside grants which are of lesser value than the Foundation’s Initiating grant.

These ‘top up’ grants have a considerable financial impact on students allowing them to focus on their research rather than searching for a second job to support themselves.

Congratulations to all who received awards.

For more information about the awards, contact Kylie Strudwick 02 9845 6289.