Budget funds for tropical disease research

The federal government plans to spend $15 million on research into tropical medicines and disease.

More than $8 million will be put aside for research grants for tropical therapeutics and diagnostics.

An additional $6.9 million will be invested for research projects into diseases such as dengue, malaria, Hendra and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, among others.

Both programs are part of measures to be included in Tuesday's budget and outlined in the coming northern Australia white paper.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who is overseeing the paper, said Australian research could help eradicate diseases specific to its tropical regions.

"That will not only increase quality of life for billions of people overseas, it will also aid the development of northern Australia," he said in a statement on Saturday.