Research grants

National Health and Medical Research Council

The Parent-Infant Research Institute has been awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant for a 4-year project entitled 'Intervention to improve brain, intellectual and behavioural development of premature infants' (CIs: Professor Jeannette Milgrom, A/Professor Terrie Inder and Professor Paul Martin; Dr Carol Newnham, Postdoctoral Research Fellow).

PIRI has also been successful in receiving the following funding:
A government grant as part of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy - Local Answers (Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs). The grant is for a 3-year project entitled: Happiness, Understanding, Giving and Sharing (HUGS) to evaluate rolling out our program into the community (CIs: Professor Jeannette Milgrom and Jennifer Ericksen).

The Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund has supported a one year project entitled 'Premature mothers, fathers and babies ? family recovery, relating and infant development' (CI: Professor Jeannette Milgrom; Dr Carol Newnham, Postdoctoral Research Fellow).

New collaborations

Lulu Holdings Limited (Lulu) and the Parent-Infant Research Institute Inc (PIRI) have exchanged preliminary proposals and had preliminary conversations which will form the basis of a formal contractual agreement which is currently being formalised between Lulu and PIRI.

The proposed agreement is expected to include a role for PIRI to advise Lulu regarding staff training, curriculum development and child development programs. The emphasis of PIRI will be on advising Lulu regarding the quality of care, the emotional and social development of children, the provision of a nurturing relationship with their day-care caregivers, guidance regarding a stimulating and enriching learning environment and provision of support and advice to parents.