Research fellows petition Canberra

MEDICAL researchers have told Julia Gillard that slashing millions in funding would trigger an exodus of talent.

THREE dozen recipients of Australia's highest award for medical research have told Julia Gillard that a rumoured plan to slash millions in funding would trigger an exodus of talent as young scientists were forced overseas.

In one of the strongest warnings yet against the rumoured plan to cut $400 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council, 36 of the current 38 holders of NHMRC Australia Fellowships say the cuts also run counter to action by other countries in worse financial straits than Australia, which are maintaining their research budgets.

Rumours of impending cuts, which research leaders say have been privately confirmed by at least three cabinet ministers, this week triggered demonstrations in capital cities nationally.

The fellowships began in 2007 and awarded successful applicants grants of $4 million each over five years.

Organiser of the letter Nadia Rosenthal, a Harvard-trained American who is leaving her post as director of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory's Rome campus to take up one of the fellowships, said she had been attracted to Australia by the "extraordinary talent pool at every level".

The letter, sent yesterday, said that with 50 per cent of the NHMRC's budget already committed to previously approved projects, the main impact of any cuts "will be borne by young researchers -- tomorrow's leaders and the lifeblood of future Australian research efforts".

"Decreased research grant support will undoubtedly cause many to either leave research or leave Australian for opportunities in other countries," it said.

Professor Rosenthal told The Weekend Australian from Rome yesterday the two remaining Fellowship winners who had not signed the letter had been uncontactable when it was being finalised.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon said last week the sector should not "imagine that the expenditure in their area will not be closely assessed".