Last updated: 14 October 2024
The Queensland Sexual Health Research Fund (SHRF) is an initiative of the Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee and is funded by the Department of Health, Queensland Government.
The fund was established in 2018 to support projects to improve the sexual and reproductive health of all Queenslanders.
Funded projects must align with the strategic priorities of the Queensland Sexual Health Framework and its associated Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections (BBV/STI) Action Plans.
A Research Subcommittee of the Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending applications for funding by the Department of Health.
Nineteen projects have been awarded through five funding rounds to date.
Administration of the SHRF is provided by ASHM Health (ASHM) on behalf of the Department of Health.
Round 5 Outcomes
Round 5 has received the most applications of any SHRF Round, with a highly diverse field of novel proposals. The Department of Health and the Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee extend their thanks to all applicants.
Four projects were awarded funding through Round 5. Click on the below projects to learn more about each.
Project title: Understanding preconception sexual and reproductive health and fertility among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Queensland.
Project lead: Federica Barzi
Project description: The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of individuals before pregnancy can influence their ability to conceive a baby. This study aims to estimate the factors associated with infertility among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Queensland and explore what they and their service providers understand about preconception care.
Project title: Endometriosis experience among trans and gender diverse people: Enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and management.
Project lead: Brianna Larsen
Project description: This project will explore the management and treatment of endometriosis and associated pelvic pain among trans and gender diverse people through a detailed literature evaluation, interviews, and the development of recommendations to inform an evidence-based best-practice healthcare framework.
Project title: Implementing routine sexual and reproductive health screening into a child and youth mental health service: a cluster randomised controlled trial.
Project lead: James Scott
Project description: This study aims to provide standardised sexual and reproductive health (SRH) screening to adolescents attending a child and youth mental health service, deliver a brief educational intervention to adolescents with mental health problems engaging in risky sexual behaviours, and facilitate referrals for further SRH care when indicated.
Project title: Evaluating youth-based community engagement activities as an opportunity to understand sexual health knowledge and behaviours and provide outreach sexual health screening in the Gold Coast.
Project lead: Katherine Cacavas
Project description: Young adults aged 16-25 years have a higher risk of getting a sexually transmissible infection (STI) compared with the general population. This project will evaluate the impact of providing accessible STI testing and inclusive sexual health education at youth events on the Gold Coast on reducing STI risk
Future Rounds
Information on future SHRF rounds will be made available on this webpage in due course. Contact the SHRF Fund Administrator via [email protected]. to receive email updates regarding the SHRF
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications are welcomed from health or social services professionals and academic researchers.
- Principal investigators or Project Leads must be based in Queensland, leading a project to improve the sexual or reproductive health of Queenslanders.
- Projects must be consistent with one or more Priority Actions in the Queensland Sexual Health Framework or in the Queensland BBV/STI Action Plans.
- The SHRF supports translational research or implementation science projects and the evaluation of sexual or reproductive health services or programs.
- Projects must demonstrate how they will have a direct or potential positive impact on clinical practice or the delivery of sexual or reproductive health services or programs.
- Projects must demonstrate that they have meaningful collaborative or partnership arrangements with health or social services professionals delivering sexual or reproductive health services or programs.
- Those who have not received prior funding from the SHRF are encouraged to apply.
Contact
Email [email protected] for additional information.
