AIFA - Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia
www.allergyimmunology.org.au/support-aifa/worldallergyweek
AIFA was established in 2013 by ASCIA, the peak professional body for allergy and immunology in Australasia, to improve the health and care of people with allergy and other immune diseases by funding medical research and raising awareness of these diseases in Australia and New Zealand.
To date $130,000 has been awarded to research projects throughout Australia. For information about these projects go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/projects
AIFA research grants are selected each year through a transparent and robust grant selection process. This process involves an independent, voluntary expert panel comprising leading immunology and allergy clinicians and scientists. Their track record in selecting projects is outstanding - 2 out of the 7 projects funded by AIFA have since been recognised with further funding by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
AIFA grant applications for 2018 open on 15 January www.allergyimmunology.org.au/grants
Tax deductible donations to AIFA can be made online at www.allergyimmunology.org.au/donate
ASCIA members and other health professionals can also donate their honoraria to AIFA.
If you wish to fundraise or provide in-kind support for AIFA, go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/support-aifa/fundraising for more information.
To find out how you can participate in World Allergy Week go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/support-aifa/worldallergyweek
You are also encouraged to share your story of living with allergy and other immune diseases www.allergyimmunology.org.au/support-aifa/share-your-story
All donations of $100 or more are perpetually acknowledged on the AIFA website www.allergyimmunology.org.au/our-supporters/donors
Significant donors (of $10,000 or more) may request targeted research project funding in particular areas.
AIFA research grants encourage:
- Early Career Researchers who may not yet receive grants from the NHMRC or other organisations
- Research requiring seed funding
- Collaborative research projects throughout Australia and New Zealand
- Projects that will translate to better treatment and care for patients with allergy and other immune diseases
One of the greatest challenges for ASCIA and AIFA is the recognition by governments, authorities and funders of the importance of immunological diseases as top health priorities, in terms of patient care and research.
Immunological diseases include allergic diseases, immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmune diseases. These are amongst the most important chronic diseases and public health issues in Australia and New Zealand, affecting around 25% of the population.
Funding of research into immunological diseases is vital for the prevention and treatment of these diseases, and to ultimately find cures. This research can also impact other diseases, including immunotherapy based treatment options for other diseases.
Increased recognition by governments, authorities and funders of the importance of immunological diseases research and patient care has the potential to eliminate preventable deaths, disabilities and poor health outcomes due to severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), primary immunodeficiency (PID) diseases and autoimmune diseases.
Content updated January 2018
