The Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute Limited (IHMRI) is an independent medical research institute established in 2008 by its key stakeholders, the University of Wollongong (UOW) and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD).  It is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee constituted under the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) and is a registered charity regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

Under a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each of the key stakeholders, IHMRI provides the major vehicle for growing and developing health and medical research in the Illawarra region and realising shared research goals with its stakeholders.  These MOUs provide for UOW employed, ISLHD employed and other researchers to affiliate with IHMRI.

ISLHD employed researchers who affiliate with IHMRI remain employed at ISLHD and continue to remain subject to the ISLHD employment arrangements.  In particular, they continue to conduct their research as part of their employment with ISLHD.  However, they elect to align particular research activities with and participate in IHMRI’s research strategy and themes, and have been accepted into those research themes by IHMRI.  Individual researchers and groups choose to affiliate with IHMRI in the interests of advancing IHMRI’s research goals and priorities while at the same time developing their own research and research reputation.

This affiliation arrangement is different from a secondment agreement in which the ISLHD would release the Researcher on a leave without pay basis to perform activities at IHMRI.

The business rule Appointment of ISLHD Employees as Research Affiliates of the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) explains the principles and process for individual researchers at ISLHD to affiliate with IHMRI for the purposes of conducting, promoting, encouraging and facilitating health and medical research that aligns with IHMRI’s and ISLHD’s processes, strategic goals, research objectives and strategies.

For more information, please contact the Research Office at ISLHD-Research@health.nsw.gov.au.