Murdoch Childrens Research Institute has been awarded $20.7 million for vital child health research from the Federal Government's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Dr Vera Ignjatovic has received a prestigious Australian Academy of Science Scientific visit to Europe award. Only 69 of these awards are handed out Australia-wide.

A new study shows one in five Australian preschoolers have poor language skills, with those from disadvantaged families the most likely to lag behind their peers.