About
Established in 2022, the Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator (ASHRA) is an Australian wide network of academics, institutions, and industry partners with a bold vision to transform the field of cardiovascular research.
We believe that through powerful collaborative leadership and a focus on clinical impact and entrepreneurship we can improve Australia’s global competitiveness in heart disease and stroke research and deliver new health and economic outcomes for the Australian community.
Our strategic vision
Transforming the field of cardiovascular research in Australia by bringing a new sector-wide focus on clinical impact and entrepreneurship.
Led by Australia’s foremost heart and stroke researchers ASHRA supports a research portfolio with a focus on translation and commercialisation, an education and training program focussed on upskilling, knowledge sharing and capacity building, particularly of our Early-Mid Career researchers, and the establishment of a collaborative network integrating researchers, industry, investors, consumers and policy makers leading to strategically diverse and multidisciplinary partnerships.
To achieve this vision, ASHRA was awarded $10M over four years through the MTPConnect-supported Targeted Translation Research Acceleration initiative in addition to $22M in partner contributions.
Our core principles
At the heart of our strategic vision are five core principles
Capacity building
We will invest heavily in a training program that embeds entrepreneurship and commercialisation within the fabric of the Australian heart and stroke research sector and develops Indigenous research and researchers.
Collaboration
Our strategy of national inclusion will bring together the breadth of geographies, research specialities and industries undertaking heart and stroke research in Australia. Making the right connections rapidly will both generate more ideas and accelerate their impact.
Commercialisation
ASHRA will make early direct investments in multiple high potential projects. In parallel our program of industry engagement will build deep new connections to commercial investors and industry partners where we can showcase ideas and gain early advice.
Culture change
Underpins our strategy for sustainability and translation. In every action, ASHRA will reinforce to researchers the importance of commercialisation, translation and impact.
Continuous improvement
A rigorous evaluation program will quantify the impact and quality of the delivery of each pillar of the strategy, and the health and economic outcomes that ensue.