Improving alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund and Medical Research Endowment Account
Feedback updated 2 May 2024
We asked
For your views on whether, and if so how, to reform the governance and administration of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC’s) Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) to ensure the Australian community obtains the greatest benefit from this investment in health and medical research.
The Discussion Paper provides further details on the consultation.
You said
We received 177 submissions from a broad, diverse and passionate range of stakeholders. There was a prevailing view that the two funds should be brought together under a single managing structure/ agency, currently the NHMRC. However, stakeholders advised a staged, incremental approach should be taken to the reforms, with a focus on ensuring the benefits of the two funds are preserved and promoted.
We did
We analysed and summarised your feedback in the Summary Report.
The Department and NHMRC are working together to address key concerns and issues while we consider options for implementation. This includes working together to better use existing advisory committees (e.g. MRFF will seek advice from NHMRC committees), developing and implementing policies together, and other efforts that better align the two funds without requiring formal governance reforms.
The government will continue to keep stakeholders informed of the reform process and will provide opportunities for engagement wherever practical.
Results updated 2 May 2024
Only answers from respondents who gave permission are published. However, all responses are included in the analysis of this consultation.
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Overview
This consultation closed on 14 July 2023.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring health and medical research investment delivers the greatest benefit to the community while driving long-term economic sustainability.
To optimise the government’s investment in health and medical research, the Department of Health and Aged Care and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) are undertaking national consultation to improve alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).
This national consultation will determine the best model for improving strategic alignment and coordination between the two funds. Models for reform include:
- a coordination mechanism with broad representation to provide coordinated advice and oversight to ensure greater strategic alignment between the two funds
- the NHMRC to manage both funds separately, supporting both investigator-led and priority-led research
- the NHMRC to manage the merged funds; with research at every stage of the pipeline supported to meet the needs of Australia’s increasingly complex health care system.
The Discussion Paper provides further details on these three models and guiding questions to inform your response.
To ensure a diverse range of voices inform this consultation, we invite all stakeholders to make a written submission by 11.59pm Friday 14 July 2023.
For enquiries, please contact MRFF@health.gov.au.
Events
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Recording of consultation webinar 1
From 6 Jun 2023 at 10:00 to 6 Jun 2023 at 11:30Webinar on the consultation process, including potential models and how you can share your views. To register, see related link below.
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Recording of consultation webinar 2
From 3 Jul 2023 at 14:30 to 3 Jul 2023 at 16:00Webinar on the consultation process, including potential models and how you can share your views. To register, see related link below.
Audiences
- Academics
- Health professionals
- Health workforce
- General public
- Community groups
- Businesses
Interests
- Health technology
- Grants and procurement
- Administration
- Strategic Policy
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