In a week when we celebrate the vital contribution of scientific research through the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, the Group of Eight (Go8) is urging the Australian Government to act now to remove the $650 million cap on the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Go8 researchers will join Member for Kooyong Dr Monique Ryan and other stakeholders at Parliament House today to advocate for a return to the original vision of the MRFF: a fund that distributes up to $1 billion annually to support transformative medical research.
In 2022–23, the Morrison Government—with bipartisan support from Labor— capped MRFF expenditure at $650 million a year until 2032–33. This decision has already led to an underspend of nearly $1 billion since the cap was imposed.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said, “the decision has no clear rationale and undermines the very purpose of the MRFF. The consequences are deeply felt. Budget estimates show that fixing MRFF grants at $650 million will result in a 12 percent real funding decline by the end of the forward estimates. Meanwhile, the MRFF itself continues to grow, projected to reach nearly $27 billion by 2028–29.”
“The economic cost of this cap is stark. Every dollar invested in medical research and development returns $3.90. With an underspend of approximately $1 billion over the past three years, Australia has forgone an estimated $4 billion in economy-wide benefits.”
“The human cost is even more visible in the projects left unfunded. These are not abstract ideas—they are targeted, community-led initiatives designed to address urgent health needs. “
For example:
- Dr George Karystianis (UNSW Medicine & Health): Proposed a national data collection system using data mining of millions of police reports to address major gaps in domestic and family violence information.
“A lack of a population level data infrastructure has resulted in major information gaps in DFV, preventing an evidence-based national response,” said Dr Karystianis.
- Professor Graham Hillis (UWA and the Royal Perth Hospital): Sought funding for Australian participation in a joint UK-Australian trial testing a potential treatment for a heart condition that predominantly affects women.
“There is currently no treatment, but some evidence of a therapy that could improve long-term outcomes, including survival, of these patients,” said Professor Hillis.
- Associate Professor Lexine Stapinski (University of Sydney): Applied for funding to co-design and trial a patient-centred, alcohol eHealth programme for Australian youth suffering from alcohol use disorder – the fifth leading cause of life lost among young Australians.
“The programme could be readily scaled to achieve wide and sustainable reach and reduce the health toll of alcohol use disorders among Australian youth,” said Associate Professor Stapinski.
- Associate Professor Adam McKay (Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre (MERRC) at Monash University): Proposed implementing and evaluating best-practice management of post-traumatic amnesia.
“This project would have helped people with traumatic brain injury get the best possible care at a critical time in their recovery,” Associate Professor McKay said.
“These are not just missed research milestones—they are missed chances to improve lives, reduce health disparities, and empower communities,” said Ms Thomson.
“We urge the Australian Government to act now. Let the fund do what it was created to do: support life-saving research, empower communities, and deliver the economic and social benefits that come with investing in health innovation. The MRFF is not a rainy-day fund—it is a fund for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s breakthroughs.”