The Translational Research Institute is supported by a grant from the Australian Government and funding from the  Queensland Government; The Atlantic Philanthropies; University of Queensland; Queensland University of Technology; and Mater Research.

It is because of the contributions and support of these organisations, together with the vision of the founding directors, that the TRI has become a reality.

The Atlantic Philanthropies

A private foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies was created in 1984 by Charles “Chuck” Feeney with a vision to help people through whatever disadvantage or injustice faced them. As of December 2009, almost 30 years on, The Atlantic Philanthropies has made grants totaling more than US$5 billion, supporting social and health projects around the globe.

A focus of Mr Feeney is to encourage medical researchers and university leaders at Atlantic-supported institutions in Australia, the United States and Viet Nam to collaborate on research in an effort to develop biomedical breakthroughs greater than any single institution can achieve alone. The ultimate goal is to generate sustainable scientific progress and improve health care for more disadvantaged and vulnerable people. These efforts include the development of human vaccines for dengue fever, animal vaccines to prevent slaughters of herds from epidemics, establishment of advanced neurological imaging facilities and collaboration on nursing projects to tackle skills shortages.

The Atlantic Philanthropies has invested more than $170m in scientific and medical research infrastructure in Queensland during the past 10 years. This includes investments in the University of Queensland‘s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Queensland Brain Institute as well investments in the Queensland University of Technology’s Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation.

The Atlantic Philanthropies has contributed a record $50m to the Translational Research Institute (TRI).
http://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org

Tribute to Chuck Feeney

Chuck Feeney Tribute

In any tribute to Chuck Feeney it is fitting to acknowledge his generosity to Queensland and Australia and, in particular, his latest gift to the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in Brisbane.

The TRI will enhance and accelerate the translation of medical break throughs in areas such as cancer and diabetes into better patient care. Chuck Feeney’s gift of $50 million is the largest ever from a non-government source to a single Australian medical research institute.

His gift was really amazing. We had been working on the project for a number of years but we were still $100 million short. Chuck’s commitment of $50 million enabled us to immediately gain matching grants of $50 million and thus complete the fund raising effort. Chuck’s gift will ensure the delivery of therapeutics which will benefit people the world over.

Chuck Feeney is more than an industrial genius. He is a true humanitarian with a commitment to using his success to benefit mankind.

Dr David J H Watson, Chairman, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia