The federal government of Australia has granted a total of $652 million in National Health and Medical Research Council grants to boost and help build a progressive and healthier Australia.

To be administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council, a total of 1,141 grants will be extended to drive research and innovation on the areas of child health, diabetes, HIV and cardiovascular disease. Cancer research received the largest funding amount, at $131.1 million.

"Every single one of them contributes to the body of human knowledge," Australian Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said on Friday while touring the University of Sydney.

"It's so thrilling to be a health minister able to invest in better understanding of the human body, better understanding of the way our community works, and working out how we can identify, treat and cure all sorts of illnesses in Australia."

The University of Melbourne will receive $89.6 million for 162 grants, while the highest amount of overall funding will go to Victoria, at $290 million for 498 grants, followed by New South Wales at $157.5 million and Queensland at $94.4 million.

"The fields of research in which Australia is at the forefront, such as immunology or astrophysics, have been supported by the Government consistently for a decade or more," said Professor Bob Williamson, the Australian Academy of Science Secretary for Science Policy.

"When the mining boom is over, it is our innovation in scientific research, engineering and innovation that will keep Australia in good economic shape: long-term support is an essential investment in Australia's future health, wellbeing and economic security."

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