At Fight Parkinson’s, our mission to support people living with Parkinson’s, PSP, MSA, and CBS is grounded in evidence-based research.
Our services, programs, and resources are informed by the latest science. Research is at the heart of improved quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.
Our research agenda
Developing a strong Australian research agenda is central to Fight Parkinson’s’ mission.
We invest in research and strategic research partnerships to:
- Improve understanding of Parkinson’s and its impact
- Drive innovation towards better treatments, prevention and/or a cure
- Encourage participation in research, design, development, and delivery
- Share outcomes and breakthroughs with our community.
Learn more about our research agenda
Partner with Fight Parkinson’s in research
At Fight Parkinson’s, we know that partnerships and collaborations are vital to driving better outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s.
We work with researchers and institutions across Australia and globally to support, shape and strengthen research that make a difference.
If you are a researcher working in Parkinson’s or a related field, we can support you in several ways:
- Financial support – through grants or funding assistance.
- Expert input – access to Parkinson’s subject-matter expertise via our highly skilled multidisciplinary health team and networks.
- Community engagement – facilitating consultation and collaboration with the Parkinson’s community including helping to recruit participants and raise awareness of your project.
Fight Parkinson’s Seed Funding Grant Program to fund research innovation
Fight Parkinson’s awards two Seed Funding Grants annually, available for both clinical and basic science research, with each category offering a grant of $30,000.
These grants underpin Fight Parkinson’s ongoing commitment to raise funds to support research focused on the prevention, improvement of life, and eventual cure for Parkinson’s Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
Applications open in November and announced in April.
Learn more about our seed funding grants program
Supported projects
Fight Parkinson’s has supported a number of ongoing and recent research projects.
Ongoing projects supported by Fight Parkinsons:
- Victorian Brain Bank Network (VBBN) – collecting vital brain donations for Parkinson’s research; Fight Parkinson’s helps fund processing and access, from donors.
- ParkinsonNet – Bring an internationally recognised model of multidisciplinary Parkinson’s care to Australia.
- Rewiring the brain – Monash University team led by Prof John Forsythe is exploring how stem cells can be guided to repair brain regions damaged by Parkinson’s, using innovative gel technology to “build bridges” between regenerative cells and affected areas.
- Women, Parkinson’s and exercise – La Trobe University project led by Prof Meg Morris is trialling tailored gym-based strength and fitness programs to improve health outcomes for women with Parkinson’s, addressing their underrepresentation in exercise research.
Examples of past research projects supported:
- ParkinDance – a two-year RCT exploring how dance interventions can slow Parkinson’s symptoms-led by Prof Meg Morris at La Trobe University.
- Exercise participation in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) – led by Dr Susan Slade and Prof Morris, funded through the Argyrou Family and Atypical Fellowship.
- Treat-to-target clinical trial – using wearable PKG® monitors to improve motor symptom management—led by Prof Malcolm Horne at The Florey.
- ParkinSong™– a singing-based therapy controlled trial in partnership with Melbourne University and the Hugh Williamson Foundation—demonstrated improved voice, respiratory strength, and quality of life.
- Movement Disorder Nurse Project – in the Goulburn Valley region, showing value of nurse-led support in rural communities.
- Deloitte Access Economics report – on the economic burden of Parkinson’s, highlighting the importance of cost-effective, quality-of-life interventions.
Join us in driving change
Your research could shape the future for people living with Parkinson’s.
Whether you’re exploring innovative therapies, community-based interventions, clinical advancements or cause and prevention, Fight Parkinson’s is ready to support your work.
If you’d like funding, partnerships, or community engagement, reach out via info@fightparkinsons.com.au for more information on the application process.
Together, we can fight Parkinson’s.
