Proposals received through the Community Research Priorities Portal are assessed and prioritised by the TCR Prioritisation Committee using this rubric.

Table: Targeted Calls for Research Prioritisation Criteria Rubric
Rating (priority level)Current status and needTranslatability;Likely outcomes
3 - High

The proposed topic identifies:

  • a significant research knowledge gap
  • a high burden of disease
  • a high prevalence, mortality, morbidity and/or cost

The current research effort is relatively low.

New or further research on this topic will result in:

  • new and improved policy and practice
  • significantly improved prediction, identification, prevention and/or management of the condition 
  • a substantial reduction in healthcare costs
  • a significant contribution to the global research effort.

It is likely that:

  • research outcomes will significantly advance knowledge in the relevant area
  • research will significantly improve health outcomes for the community generally, targeted groups within the community and/or people living with a specific health condition
  • funding will provide a significant boost to the relatively small NHMRC funding for this topic.
2 - Moderate

The proposed topic identifies:

  • a moderate research knowledge gap
  • a moderate burden of disease
  • a moderate prevalence, mortality, morbidity and/or cost

The current research effort is moderate.

New or further research on this topic will result in:

  • improved policy and practice 
  • improved prediction, identification, prevention and/or management of the condition 
  • a moderate reduction in healthcare costs 
  • a moderate contribution to the global research effort.

It is likely that: 

  • research outcomes will moderately advance knowledge in the relevant area
  • research will moderately improve health outcomes for the community generally, targeted groups within the community and/or people living with a specific health condition
  • funding will provide a moderate boost to NHMRC funding for this topic.
1 - Low

The proposed topic identifies:

  • minor or inconsequential research knowledge gap
  • a low burden of disease
  • a low prevalence, mortality, morbidity and/or cost

The current research effort is high.

New or further research on this topic will result in: 

  • minimal or no change in policy or practice 
  • minimal or no improvement to prediction, identification, prevention and/or management of the condition 
  • minimal or no reduction in healthcare costs 
  • minimal contribution to the global research effort. 
  • It is not likely that research outcomes will advance knowledge in the relevant area
  • research is not likely to improve health outcomes for the community generally, targeted groups within the community and/or people living with a specific health condition 
  • Funding is not necessary to provide a boost to the NHMRC funding for this topic.