ACA maintains its robust commitment to support research, evidence-based practice and university-led education programs for our profession.
ACA is fully committed to securing the future of our university-based educational programs through an active involvement in the development of a research culture in the profession, developing academic and research career pathways and striving for unity (while recognising diversity) within the profession.
Funding of Research
The ACA is the largest continuous funder of chiropractic research and academic capacity building in Australia dedicated to enhancing the spinal health of Australians nationwide. Current projects include four PhDs, the CARL fellowship program and BACE-Australia. Past programs included the ACORN Practice-based network and Masters of Research scholarships.
In the last decade, research funding provided by the ACA has totalled over $2 million dollars.
ACERF
The ACA established the Australian Chiropractors Education and Research Foundation (ACERF), as a registered charity and public ancillary fund (regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission). ACERF is the vehicle through which potential research projects are assessed for their value to the profession, and via a competitive process, funded if successful.
Student Grant Scheme
An ACA initiative designed to encourage and assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in chiropractic to complete their studies and join the health workforce. ACA has a strong relationship with Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), who will be a key partner in the selection and support of the successful candidate.
BACE:C-A Study
Lead by Dr Katie de Luca at Macquarie University is the ACA funded research project Back Complaints in the Elders: Chiropractic – Australia (BACE:C-A).
CARL Program
The Chiropractic Academy of Research Leadership (CARL) program identifies, nurtures, and supports emerging young researchers whose research is relevant to chiropractic.