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.
Following the signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement in July 2025, 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 Program, 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 programs;
- 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.
The partnership connects Queensland's leading tropical health research capabilities from Brisbane to Northern Australia, creating a powerful platform for research spanning laboratory discovery through to implementation in communities across Australia and broader Tropics.
QIMR Berghofer Interim Director and CEO Professor Grant A. Ramm said the partnership would leverage the strength of two leading Queensland institutions to advance medical research, support local solutions to health challenges and improve patient outcomes.
“Practical initiatives like this allow us to advance research, workforce development and health outcomes for Queensland communities. At QIMR Berghofer, we know that the most complex health challenges cannot be solved by any one institution alone, and impactful discoveries happen when talented people come together around a shared purpose,” Professor Ramm said.
JCU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Professor Jenny Seddon said the partnership would enhance tropical health research by strengthening connections between researchers in the two institutions.
“JCU and QIMR Berghofer both deliver world-class research that positively changes the lives of Queenslanders and people livingiin the Tropics. Working more closely together, we can combine our strengths to accelerate discoveries and expand our impact on health outcomes across the region” Professor Seddon said.