Bloom Research Program

Creating a family is an incredibly precious time, nurturing new life through pregnancy and beyond. However, the path to healthy, thriving babies and children is not always a smooth one. From challenges conceiving, complications during pregnancy resulting in babies entering the world before they’re due, through to chronic childhood diseases and conditions – how do we ensure mums, babies and their families flourish?

Bloom Research Program is an initiative of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, supporting research that delivers big thinking for the health and wellbeing of South Australia’s little people and their mums.

With big thinking comes big outcomes

We’re investing $10 million into medical research over the next five years so that the Bloom Research Program can nurture collaboration, increase research capacity and lay a solid foundation from which new ideas are tested, knowledge is gained and practices can grow.

At the heart of the Bloom Research Program is collaboration and uniting like-minded researchers with common goals to open greater possibilities for research outcomes to foster healthier mums, children and their families.

Each year, applications will be sought for research projects targeting priority areas selected on independent assessment of the burden of disease and the potential for the research outcomes to influence positive change and have a genuine impact.

We all aspire—and deserve—to live healthy and happy lives. Through supporting critical health and medical research enabled by the Bloom Research Program, we will play our part in nourishing the health and wellbeing of mums, children and their families for generations to come.

Find out more about our Bloom Research Program from our Research Program Manager, Dr Chelsea Mauch, and Head of Mission, Verity Gobbett.

For information about the Bloom Research Program Grant round opening and closing dates, see our Research Funding Opportunities page.

The Flemings’ story

Nicole and Shannon Fleming are all too familiar with the challenges that can arise during pregnancy and early life. A 17-week scan identified Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome for their girls Isla and Eloise leading to a complicated journey that saw four-week-old Isla pass away unexpectedly the day after heart surgery in Melbourne, and Eloise surviving against all odds.

Shannon says they couldn’t have gotten through it all without the support of the amazing Women’s and Children’s Hospital staff.

“When we think about the hospital, it’s where we had the worst experience and the best experience at the same time,” Shannon says.

“Further research into preventing and supporting premature births, among the many other conditions, would help so many mothers, children and families like ours.”

Want to know more?

Hear Research Program Manager, Dr Chelsea Mauch, explain more about the application process.

FAQ's

Why has the WCH Foundation set up the Bloom Research Program?

Our goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and families who receive care from the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN). One way we can achieve this is by supporting evidence-based health and medical research that will further enhance the quality healthcare provided by WCHN to South Australian women, children and families.
From 2023, we will invest $10 million over five years to research projects that deliver big thinking and genuine impact on the health and wellbeing of South Australian families.

What type/s of research will the Bloom Research Program support?

The Bloom Research Program will support research that delivers tangible outcomes to reduce the burden of maternal and paediatric disease in South Australia. Grants will be distributed to research that focuses on at least one of our Priority Research Areas:

Healthy mums, flourishing bubs by reducing pre-term births and/or low or high birthweights;
Healthy body, healthy mind for little people by investigating the prevention, early detection or intervention, and/or enhanced treatment of childhood diseases and conditions such as preterm birth and/or low birthweight; anxiety, depression and suicide prevention; brain and central nervous system cancers; cardiovascular defects and diseases, and asthma.

How were the Priority Research Areas selected?

The WCH Foundation commissioned an independent assessment of the burden of disease in South Australia and the potential for research outcomes to have a genuine, positive impact to ensure WCH Foundation-funded research delivers tangible health outcomes for South Australian mums, children and their families.

How will the research grants be funded?

The Bloom Research Program is made possible by the generosity of families and businesses who share our goal to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and their families.

Can I make a donation to the Bloom Research Program?

Donations can certainly be made to the WCH Foundation and directed to the Bloom Research Program. We welcome —and are very grateful for —the support of the community to help us deliver big thinking and big outcomes for little people and their mums.

Who can apply for a Bloom Research Program Grant?

Expressions of Interest can be lodged by researchers at any stage of their careers, including those working for WCHN, University of Adelaide, SAHMRI, Flinders University, University of South Australia and Torrens University.
The Bloom Research Program aims to encourage collaboration and capacity building within WCHN. All proposals must demonstrate an affiliation with, and involvement of, WCHN.

How many research applications are expected?

With so much incredible research underway in South Australia and strong competition for funding, we expect the Bloom Research Program to draw strong interest from the research community.

How will grant applications be assessed?

A rigorous application process has been developed to ensure the Bloom Research Program supports high calibre projects that can create tangible outcomes for mums, babies and children. Applications will be assessed by an independent Research Grants Committee comprising experienced peer reviewers with relevant expertise, against criteria modelled on National Health and Medical Research Council peer review guidelines.

Will we know how the research is progressing?

Look out for updates from the Bloom Research Program and the important work of our researchers on our WCH Foundation website, newsletter and social media.