Canberra researchers will share in $10.8million of funding from the Health and Medical Research Council this year.
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The council's grants totalled $673.7million across Australia with 1140 projects receiving funds.
In the ACT 20 research projects were funded including the detection of depression and anxiety in the community and a comprehensive study into indigenous child health.
Public health expert at the Australian National University, Emily Banks, is investigating the health of urban Aboriginal children. Yesterday's $1.7million grant will ensure her work can continue.
''It tracks children in the long term and focuses on mental health, ear health and wellbeing and resilience,'' Professor Banks said.
In 2001 about 1600 Aboriginal children from urban areas were recruited to take part in the study.
''This money will contribute to us following them in the long term and see what has happened to them over a two to three year period,'' she said.
The next stage of the project will take five years.
Professor Banks said Aboriginal children had the worst ear health of any community in the world.
''We're talking about really high rates of ear infections, high rates of hearing loss,'' she said.
She hopes the research will identify the factors that can be changed in early childhood to prevent later disease.
The SEARCH study is Australia's largest longitudinal study of urban Aboriginal children and is run in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said the grants would help push the frontiers of health and medical knowledge.
''The grants announced today will ensure that young researchers have a solid foundation for their career,'' Mr Butler said.