Strategic Partnership: James Cook University and QIMR Berghofer

James Cook University (JCU) and QIMR Berghofer have established a Strategic Partnership through a Strategic Partnership Agreement, strengthening collaboration in tropical health research, health workforce development and innovation.

The partnership brings together JCU's Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) and QIMR Berghofer's Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases (CTHED), creating a framework for long-term collaboration that builds on the complementary strengths of both organisations. As the partnership evolves, collaboration will also expand into mental health research through JCU's Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health and QIMR Berghofer's Brain & Mental Health Program.

Strategic Objectives

The Strategic Partnership supports:

• Joint academic and research appointments
• Collaborative research programs and competitive funding applications
• Co-supervision of Higher Degree by Research candidates
• Visiting scientist and adjunct appointments
• Reciprocal access to research facilities, infrastructure and scientific services
• Staff exchanges and collaborative workshops
• Governance through a dedicated Partnership Board to guide strategic priorities and future collaboration.

Delivering Impact

By connecting researchers, expertise and infrastructure across Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, regional Australia and the Torres Strait, the Strategic Partnership creates new opportunities to accelerate discoveries, translate research into improved health outcomes, and strengthen Australia's tropical health research capability.

The partnership provides a platform for sustained institutional collaboration that supports research excellence, develops the next generation of health and medical researchers, and delivers lasting benefits for communities across Australia and the broader Tropics.