Perpetual: Applications open for the Ramaciotti Awards for Biomedical Research

Perpetual has announced that applications for the 2012 Ramaciotti Awards for Biomedical Research have opened.

The Ramaciotti Foundations, managed by Perpetual, will award in excess of $1.5 million to Australian biomedical researchers this October, through the Ramaciotti Establishment and Equipment Grants and the Ramaciotti Medal of Excellence in Biomedical Research.

The Establishment and Equipment Grants of up to $75,000 are open to groups or individuals in universities, public hospitals or institutes undertaking biomedical research. Establishment Grants provide financial support for emerging researchers, while Equipment Grants go towards the purchase of a major piece of equipment.

Andrew Thomas, General Manager, Philanthropy at Perpetual, said, "The awards support researchers at all stages in their careers, and have often enabled them to start a piece of work or buy equipment that has become critical in their later successes.

"Under Perpetual's management, the Ramaciotti Foundations have granted over $51 million to biomedical research since Vera Ramaciotti established the Foundations with a $6.7 million investment in 1970. The awards are a great opportunity for researchers all over Australia to source funding and we want to encourage applications from all states and territories."

Nominations for the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research are also open. The Medal carries an award of $50,000 and recognises an outstanding contribution to clinical or biomedical research, or the way in which healthcare is delivered.

Mr Thomas highlighted that this year Perpetual has opened up the guidelines for the Ramaciotti Medal nominations.

"Everyone who has made an outstanding contribution to the biomedical field can now be nominated for the Ramaciotti Medal of Excellence, whether they have had Ramaciotti funding before or not.

"By changing the guidelines we hope to broaden the nominations for the Medal and recognise outstanding work from an even larger field of researchers," he said.

Applications for the Ramaciotti Establishment and Equipment Grants and the Ramaciotti Medal will close on 31 May 2012.

About the Ramaciotti Foundations
Managed by Perpetual, the Ramaciotti Foundations started off with $6.7 million in 1970 with the first major grant going to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in 1971. This assisted with the establishment of the new Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Research Laboratories building.

Since then, the Foundations have donated more than $51 million to biomedical research and are one of the largest private contributors to the field. Their combined capital now stands at over $46 million.

The Ramaciotti Foundations continue to support biomedical research and each year make significant distributions via the Ramaciotti Awards, providing funding support to areas such as molecular biology, genetics and immunology, and assisting young investigators taking up new challenges in biomedical research.


About the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research
The Ramaciotti Medal carries an award of $50,000 and recognises outstanding contribution to clinical or biomedical research, or the way in which healthcare is delivered. The nominee must still be actively engaged in research.

High profile past winners include Professor Sam Berkovic, Professor Chris Parish, Professor Thomas Martin, Professor Robert Baxter and Professor Ian Frazer.


About the Ramaciotti Establishment and Equipment Grants
Establishment Grants - Establishment Grants are intended to provide short-term support for a young researcher who is taking, or has taken up a new position in an institution. The maximum amount for this gift is $75,000.

Equipment Grants - Equipment Grants are intended to provide funding of up to $75,000 towards the purchase of a single item of equipment costing $100,000 or more.

About Perpetual Philanthropic Services
Perpetual is one of the largest managers of private charitable foundations in Australia, with $1.1 billion in funds under management (as at 31 Dec 2011). Perpetual is trustee to more than 450 charitable trusts – including Private Ancillary Funds (PAFs) and the Perpetual Foundation - that support medical, social, environmental, religious, cultural and educational causes.

Perpetual Philanthropic Services is part of Perpetual Private, which advises clients on $8.1 billion of funds (as at 31 Dec 2011). The Perpetual Private team of experts offer tailored advice and services and can help clients fulfill their charitable intentions.