title: Addressing migration-related social and health inequalities in Australia: call for research funding priorities to recognise the needs of migrant populations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Migrants constitute 26% of the total Australian population and, although disproportionately affected by chronic diseases, they are under-represented in health research. The aim of the present study was to describe trends in Australian Research Council (ARC)- and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)-funded initiatives from 2002 to 2011 with a key focus on migration-related research funding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on all NHMRC- and ARC-funded initiatives between 2002 and 2011 were collected from the research funding statistics and national competitive grants program data systems, respectively. The research funding expenditures within these two schemes were categorised into two major groups: (1) people focused (migrant-related and mainstream-related); and (2) basic science focused. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data and report the trends in NHMRC and ARC funding over the 10-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 10 years, the ARC funded 15 354 initiatives worth A$5.5 billion, with 897 (5.8%) people-focused projects funded, worth A$254.4 million. Migrant-related research constituted 7.8% of all people-focused research. The NHMRC funded 12399 initiatives worth A$5.6 billion, with 447 (3.6%) people-focused projects funded, worth A$207.2 million. Migrant-related research accounted for 6.2% of all people-focused initiatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although migrant groups are disproportionately affected by social and health inequalities, the findings of the present study show that migrant-related research is inadequately funded compared with mainstream-related research. Unless equitable research funding is achieved, it will be impossible to build a strong evidence base for planning effective measures to reduce these inequalities among migrants.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences and Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzaho
authors.affiliation: Deakin Business School, Department of Marketing, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polonsky
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mellor
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 3 Burnet Building, 89 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cyril
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012106:Research / Q000191:economics*; D062487:Social Marginalization