November 9, 2018
A significant step for Australia’s medical research future
The Group of Eight (Go8) – which represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities – welcomes the release of Australia’s Medical Research and Innovation Priorities for 2018 – 2020.
The priorities are a reference point for a Minister for Health as they make funding decisions related to Australia’s landmark Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive of the Go8, says that the priorities are a “significant moment, a significant step” for medical research and for the community.
“With an annual investment of over $2 billion in Health and Medical Research – including 63 per cent of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC) competitive funding – improving health outcomes for the Australian community through medical research is core business for the Go8
“The Go8 appreciates the consultative priorities process run by the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) under the leadership of Professor Ian Frazer AC, and the final priorities reflect input from the medical research community; including a joint Go8 – Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) submission.
“The result is a welcome balance between addressing community outcomes such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; Ageing and Aged Care; Primary Care Research; and support for research that will underpin Australia’s capacity to deliver world-leading health outcomes including in Clinical Researcher Capacity; Digital Health Intelligence; and Translational Research Infrastructure,” said Ms Thomson.
Ms Thomson said that for Government and, in particular, the Minister for Health, the challenge now will be to manage MRFF funding so that it is appropriately balanced and targeted across the identified priorities.
“It is also vital for Australia that momentum towards a full capitalisation of the MRFF continues,” she said. “And the medical research sector must deliver the excellent research and health outcomes that take full advantage of the game-changing MRFF with its bipartisan political support.”
Contact: Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 438 047 155
