National research funders back Australian health and medical research

The Joint report on MRFF and NHMRC funding from 2021–22 to 2024–25 shows how the Australian Government’s two major health and medical research funders are working together to strengthen the research system. The MRFF and NHMRC play complementary roles across the research pipeline, from discovery to translation and innovation. Their combined investment is building research capability and improving health outcomes for people in Australia.

The report reflects the MRFF and NHMRC’s shared commitment to transparency, accountability and making research funding data accessible to the Australian community.

Key findings from the report include: 

• The MRFF and NHMRC invested $6.46 billion in 4,012 grants over four years. This included 2,938 NHMRC grants worth $3.8 billion and 1,074 MRFF grants worth $2.66 billion. 
• NHMRC and MRFF played complementary roles across the full spectrum of research. Together, they supported Basic Science Research ($1.76 billion), Clinical Medicine and Science Research ($2.38 billion), Health Services Research ($1.01 billion) and Public Health Research ($0.92 billion).
• More than $643 million supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research – grants focused on improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health accounted for 10.2% of total funding. 
• Gender equity in research funding continued to strengthen. Male and female chief investigators received almost equal shares of funding. Women received 49.2% of MRFF funding and 47.5% of NHMRC funding, with the gap between men and women narrowing over the four years.

The Joint report on MRFF and NHMRC funding from 2021–22 to 2024–25 demonstrates the scale and breadth of Australia’s investment in health and medical research, including its contribution to research capability and better health outcomes for all Australians.

Read the full report.

Quotes attributable to Acting CEO Prue Torrance:

“Australia needs a strong pipeline of research, from discovery through to translation and impact. This report shows how NHMRC and the MRFF play distinct but complementary roles in supporting that pipeline and strengthening Australia’s health and medical research system.”

“Bringing these data together for the first time gives us a clearer picture of Australia’s investment in health and medical research. It also supports greater transparency and helps NHMRC and the MRFF continue improving the way our funding is aligned and coordinated.”

“Together, NHMRC and the MRFF support a broad range of research across disciplines, institutions and sectors. This combined investment builds Australia’s research capability and helps turn knowledge and innovation into improved health care, health systems and health outcomes for Australians.”