The Bipolar Expedition is granting its first research grant for Bipolar Disorder in Australia. Applications are open now, for a one tear research project and will close on Friday 25th September 2009.  The value of this Research Grant is $55,000 for 1 year and it will be known as the “BiPolar Australian Rotary Health” grant. 

The funds will be provided through Australian Rotary Health and “Bipolar Expedition”.

Applicants must be eligible to undertake research at an appropriate University or Research Institute in Australia.  Download the application form here: Rotary Health Bipolar Grant

We are actively exploring the potential of establishing an Australian Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day on 21 June each year. 21 June is the annual winter solstice, when it is darkest in the southern hemisphere and brightest in the northern hemisphere.

The Board is currently looking to fill vacant spots on the expeditions with other people with or associated with bipolar disorder. We will be contacting those who previously applied and others who have subsequently expressed an interest to be involved as well as approaching a small number of high profile people associated with Bipolar Disorder.

Plans for 2010 are to conduct the North Pole Expedition in April 2010, a Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day on June 21 ( with awareness and fundraising events around this day), and the South Pole Expedition in either Jan or Nov 2010, (Timing for this trip will depend on numbers and availability, which will become clear in the next 2-3months).