About AHRGS

Over the past thirty years, brewers throughout the world have provided funds for research which is independently assessed and independently funded. The program related initially to health problems using beer additives which arose in Canada and the United States.

At that time, the Professor of Medicine at Harvard agreed to convene a group to help the brewing industry understand these problems with the proviso that they donated funds to be used for independent research. This idea was favourably received by American and Canadian brewers.

The Australian Associated Brewers established a similar grant process, beginning about twenty five years ago. As with the National Health & Medical Research Council grants, the monies provided have always been independently assessed and this has been an important source of funding for research into alcohol related problems in Australia. Unfortunately, the AAB decided to end the grant program in 2005.

I am pleased to advise that Lion Nathan Limited (LNL) has agreed to continue funding research projects in this area. The Alcohol and Health Research Grants Scheme (AHRGS) aims to provide financial support for independent research in the area of Alcohol and Health . The grants are available to post-graduate researchers on a competitive basis and as determined by the independent AHRGS Assessment Committee which includes myself, Professor Richard Smallwood (AO, MD, FRACP, FRCP, FACP) and Professor Fred Mendelsohn (MD, PhD, FRACP, AO FAA).

Among the key objectives of the AHRGS is to help build capacity among young researchers in the early stages of their career and, for example, assist them building towards a position where they can compete for grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The value of the grants is modest in the first instance, but it is hoped that it will expand to previous levels or beyond in the next few years. However, the amount of $35,000 would not be exceeded for any single grant recipient. Research proposals would normally be for one year only. Successful applicants will be required to prepare a report on the results of their work for comment at the end of the year,