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Delivering tangible and measurable improvements to the health and wellbeing of children is at the centre of a bold new blueprint for child health research in WA.

The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has changed its name to the Telethon Kids Institute to reflect its new business model.

Director of the Telethon Kids Institute Professor Jonathan Carapetis says the strategy builds on the Institute's strong legacy under Patron and founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley.

"Our new name puts kids at the heart of what we do and celebrates our connection with Telethon which enables so much of our work," Professor Carapetis said.

"We are committed to involving the community in our research and having genuine conversations about how our research can answer the most important questions.

"We firmly believe that by involving the community, clinicians, policy makers, service providers and funders in shaping our research agenda, we will be able to much more effectively translate scientific findings into action."

Professor Carapetis announced the first round of showcase projects that demonstrate the highly collaborative model and commitment to measurable outcomes.

"This Institute has built its reputation on a combination of high quality research, collaboration and advocacy. This new blueprint formalises our commitment to working in a way that is highly innovative in our sector," he said.

Professor Carapetis said the new model was crucial if the Institute was to diversify its funding  beyond traditional competitive government grants.

"While funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council is critical to our success, we know that we need to find other sources of funding to allow us to do the cutting-edge research on our agenda and serve the needs of our community."

The Telethon Kids Institute is home to more than 500 researchers, staff and postgraduate students, dedicated to the vision of improving the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research.

It has four interconnected research focus areas:

• The Early Environment
• Brain and Behaviour
• Chronic Diseases of Childhood
• Aboriginal Health

For more than 20 years, the Institute has been a strong advocate for children and families.  Its researchers have been at the forefront of research and action around folate to reduce spina bifida; the programming of the infant immune system and childhood asthma; vaccination to reduce meningitis; understanding the causes of cerebral palsy; key factors affecting early development and mental health.

Its showcase projects are a demonstration of how the Telethon Kids Institute is committed to a new way of working -- one that's highly collaborative, involves the community, and pledges to deliver real outcomes within a defined period of time. It's about working across disciplines and with people outside the  research sector -- those in policy, practice and the families who care for kids.

KIDS' initial showcase features:

Project AREST CF : Extending life expectancy and quality of life by  preventing early lung disease in children with cystic fibrosis

Project Children's Cancers : developing novel therapies that fight the most aggressive children's cancers

Project Diabetes : developing new therapies that improve clinical outcomes and the lives of children and young people with Type 1 diabetes.

Project D-Light :  improving   the health and well-being of children through better understanding the breadth and magnitude of risks and benefits of sun exposure

Project FASD :  improving prevention, diagnosis and interventions for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in Australia

Project ORIGINS : Reduce non-communicable diseases such as such as obesity, heart disease, allergies and poor mental health through a healthy start to life