Rural Health Research Foundation Marks First Year with Strong Investment in Community-Led Health Innovation

Just twelve months after launching, the Rural Health Research Foundation (RHRF) has established itself as a growing catalyst for community-led health innovation across rural, regional and remote Australia.

Created to bridge the gap between research, local knowledge and practical action, the Foundation has spent its first year backing innovative ideas that improve health and wellbeing where they are needed most, within communities themselves.

In its inaugural year, RHRF has:

• Awarded 14 Community Innovation Grants across New South Wales and Queensland.
• Invested almost $100,000 into community-led health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Supported projects reaching First Nations communities, young people, rural mothers, refugees, older Australians and regional communities.
• Built partnerships with researchers, health organisations, community leaders and philanthropists committed to improving rural health outcomes.
• Developed a pipeline of new research and innovation projects focused on prevention, youth health and health system transformation.

Executive Officer Cassandra Wilson said the Foundation was established because regional communities already have many of the answers to their own health challenges, they simply need opportunities to test, evaluate and grow those ideas.

"Rural communities don't lack innovation. They often lack the investment needed to turn great local ideas into evidence-based solutions."

"Our role is to work alongside communities, researchers and partners to identify promising ideas, support them to be tested and learn what genuinely improves health outcomes."

Over the past twelve months, the Foundation has supported initiatives that strengthen cultural connection for Aboriginal Elders, improve body confidence for young Aboriginal women, connect refugee communities through sport, reduce social isolation among rural mothers, build evidence for music-based wellbeing programs and trial new models of integrated healthcare in regional communities.

While the Foundation's first year has focused on establishing strong partnerships and supporting grassroots innovation, significant work is already underway for the year ahead.

RHRF is currently progressing several major funding proposals that aim to expand investment in youth health, prevention and community-led health innovation. The Foundation will also launch its 2026–27 Community Innovation Grants Program, with a dedicated focus on improving men's health across rural and regional Australia.

Ms Wilson said the next phase of the Foundation's work would build on the strong foundations established during its first year.

"This first year has shown what is possible when communities are trusted to lead solutions and are supported with the right partnerships and investment."

"We're proud of what has been achieved so far, but we're even more excited about what comes next. We believe regional communities should be at the forefront of designing healthier futures, and we're committed to helping make that happen."

The Foundation also acknowledged the generous support of its partners, donors, Board Directors and the many community organisations who have helped shape its first year.

"As a young organisation, we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has believed in our vision. Their support has enabled us to begin building something that we hope will have a lasting impact on rural health for many years to come."

*Photo credit – Mags Media, Motherland Rockhampton Event, May 2026.

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