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The NHMRC CRE scheme provides support for teams of researchers to pursue collaborative research and improve health outcomes.

The NCAS CRE was established in 2015 as the first One Health research program in Australia focusing on AMS. It has had enormous translational success with the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS), an NCAS and Royal Melbourne Hospital Guidance Group collaborative, being adopted nationally as part of the National AMR Strategy and the Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) surveillance program, as well as internationally with adoption in over 13 countries.

This second CRE will primarily focus on digital strategies to enhance antimicrobial usage, surveillance, and stewardship, leveraging cutting-edge approaches such as learning health systems and design thinking.

RADAR-1H brings new collaborations from the University of Queensland, Monash University and the University of Sydney. It is a multi-disciplinary one health program, bringing together a team of infectious diseases physicians, veterinarians, microbiologists, epidemiologists, health services researchers, infection control practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, surgeons, implementation scientists, human factors and ergonomics, consumers and experts in digital health, aged care and user interface/user experience.

Professor Thursky said this will ensure that the NCAS continues to drive the adoption of new models of care to optimise antimicrobial use to improve animal and patient safety, while also minimising the risk of AMR.

“Inappropriate prescribing of all antimicrobials across both human and animal health has major implications for patient health and safety, not to mention the impact of the development of AMR. We need to be innovative in how we address the issue,” said Professor Thursky. 

“It is an honour to receive this grant and lead a team of passionate and talented collaborators who continue to address this challenge and deliver real human benefit.”

The success of the first NCAS CRE is evident in the way it has fostered growth and capacity within the team. Notably, for RADAR-1H, three Chief Investigators are alumni of the initial NCAS program, having completed their PhDs and continued ongoing post-doctoral research with the team – Dr Laura Hardefeldt, veterinarian; Dr Courtney Ierano, pharmacist; and Dr Leanne Teoh, dentist and pharmacist. This career progression highlights the effective mentorship and development of research skills provided, demonstrating how Professor Thursky and the NCAS teams’ initial investment in junior researchers has yielded substantial returns in terms of research capacity and leadership. The new program builds on this momentum, as the NCAS continue to train and inspire a new generation of AMS researchers.

Twenty new centres were funded nationally through the 2025 NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence scheme to a total of $60 Million. The scheme supports researchers to pursue collaborative research that aims to improve health outcomes by translating health and medical research into policy and/or practice. Details of all grants announced are available to download on NHMRC’s website.

Project name: Redesign of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in the Digital Era across One Health (RADAR – 1H)

Research team: Professor Karin Thursky (CIA), Professor Glenn Browning, Professor Denise O’Connor, Professor Melissa Baysari, Associate Professor Lisa Hall, Associate Professor Noleen Bennett, Associate Professor Daniel Capurro, Dr Laura Hardefeldt, Dr Courtney Ierano and Dr Leanne Teoh.

Associate Investigators: Dr Rodney James, Prof Mieke van Driel, Dr Kit Huckvale, Prof Jason Trubiano, Dr Pamela Konecny, Prof James Gilkerson, Mr Benjamin Thomson, Ms Sri Elkins, Dr Danielle Berkovic, A/Prof Leon Worth.