The federal government has announced more than $15 million for extra research for tropical health and to support the development of northern Australia.

More than $15 million is being injected into tropical health research as part of the federal government's plans to develop northern Australia.

Ahead of the release of the white paper in June, Trade Minister Andrew Robb on Sunday announced the budget will include $6.9 million for projects focused on priority diseases including dengue, malaria and Hendra.

The Australian Tropical Medicine Commercialisation Grants Program will also put $8.5 million into commercialising research into new tropical therapeutics.
It will help build ties with global companies and organisations such as the Gates Foundation.

"We can play a significant role in helping to increase the quality of life of hundreds of millions of people in our region, while at the same time aiding the development ... of our own northern Australia tropical zone," Mr Robb said in a statement.