$1.15 million pledged for groundbreaking, translational research projects
The Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia has today announced $1.15 million of new funding to support groundbreaking, translational and innovative new pelvic pain research projects across the country.
A new investment in pelvic pain innovation—designed to move promising ideas closer to real-world care.
Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia launches $1.15 million Translational Innovation Research Grant program the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia (PPFA) today announced a $1.15 million investment in pelvic pain translational innovation research.
PPFA was established in 2014 to support and drive pelvic pain education, advocacy and research. Since then, PPFA has excelled in education across schools’ programs (PPEP Talk®), sporting clubs, community groups and our evolving suite of health practitioner education programs. PPFA has advocated across state and federal governments. The launch of the Pelvic Pain Foundation Translational Innovation Research Fund fulfils the third aim of PPFA - to change the pelvic pain management options available to Australians and meaningfully reduce the impact of pelvic pain on their lives.
A/Prof Susan Evans, Chair of the PPFA Board, said the initiative is the result of a long-term commitment to change what is possible for people living with pelvic pain.
Pelvic pain that includes but is not limited to endometriosis remains a major health burden in Australia. Reporting highlights pelvic pain affecting 1 in 5 women and 1 in 12 men, underscoring the scale of unmet need and the importance of sustained investment in better care and outcomes. Renee Rankin, General Manager of PPFA, said the Foundation is committed not only to funding innovation, but to lifting visibility of the work and accelerating collaboration. “We will be excited to showcase the funded research projects at our annual health practitioner seminar—so the sector and health decision-makers can see real-world innovation as it develops and incorporate new ideas into their clinical practice.”
Key Features
Total Research Fund Size: $1,150,000 (AUD)
Research grants between: $15,000 and $150,000
Focus: Translational pelvic pain research that reflects true innovation
Assessment: Competitive selection emphasising innovation, implementation potential, and meaningful benefit to people with pelvic pain (details in program guidelines).
Key Dates: Expressions of Interest are open from 8 May 2026 and will close on 8 June 2026. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their EOI by 15 June 2026. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to submit a full application, due by Monday 3 August 2026 at 8:00am AEST. Successful recipients will be announced at the PPFA Annual Seminar on 22 August 2026.
Eligibility: The program will be open to AHPRA-registered applicants only, recognising the critical role of regulated health professionals in translating discovery into safe, scalable care improvements. Pelvic Pain research projects affecting females, males and gender diverse people are welcome.
Media enquiries: Renee Rankin, General Manager Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia rrankin@pelvicpain.org.au