QIMR Berghofer and James Cook University to advance tropical health research and workforce development in Australia

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QIMR Berghofer and James Cook University (JCU) have strengthened their strategic partnership to create one of Australia's leading collaborations in tropical health research, accelerating the development of new vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics while building the next generation of health researchers. 

The two organisations have now enhanced the next phase of their collaboration through an Annex that outlines priority areas of cooperation, governance arrangements and shared commitments to support research excellence, workforce development, and innovation. 

The partnership will be driven through collaboration between JCU’s Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) and QIMR Berghofer’s Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases (CTHED), bringing together complementary expertise in tropical and infectious diseases, public health, diagnostics, disease prevention and treatment. 

Future collaboration will also expand into mental health research through JCU’s Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health and QIMR Berghofer’s Brain & Mental Health Programme, with opportunities for additional research groups to join the partnership as it grows. 

The Annex establishes a framework for deeper collaboration between the two institutions, including:

• joint appointments commencing in 2026 to support collaborative research programmes; 
• the establishment of a Partnership Board to oversee activities and guide future priorities; 
• increased opportunities for joint research projects and external funding applications; 
• visiting scientist and adjunct appointments to strengthen
  researcher connections; 
• co-supervised PhD opportunities to develop the next generation of health and medical researchers; 
• reciprocal access to research facilities, infrastructure and scientific services across Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns and regional locations; 
• staff exchanges and partnership workshops to support knowledge sharing and collaboration.