Challenge

Older people living in rural and regional Australia often face barriers to accessing timely, specialist healthcare close to home. The Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre, together with Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation, sought to establish a large-scale applied research program to address these inequities. The challenge was to secure funding through the highly competitive MRFF Rapid Applied Research Translation (RART) program to create a collaborative initiative that could optimise virtual healthcare tools, strengthen service integration, and improve outcomes for ageing populations across western Victoria.

Approach

CIS supported Western Alliance and Deakin University in developing a compelling MRFF application that demonstrated the program’s significance and practical impact. Our role included:

• Coordinating partner and chief investigator information

• Assisting with drafting and positioning of the bid including responses to selection criteria and project plan

• Budget development

Outcome

The proposal was successful, securing $9 million in MRFF funding for a five-year program. DELIVER is now enhancing healthcare at home by optimising virtual tools and service models for older people in rural and regional Australia. The program has established a unique partnership across western Victoria, enabling research translation that delivers better healthcare closer to home. Early initiatives include trials of residential-in-reach services, workforce development, and consumer-led research, positioning DELIVER as a national exemplar of collaborative, applied health research.