Improving alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund and Medical Research Endowment Account

Closed 14 Jul 2023

Opened 4 Jun 2023

Overview

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 help to identify ways to improve the strategic alignment and coordination between the two funds. Potential 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 potential 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.

For enquiries, please contact HMRconsultations@health.gov.au.

Why your views matter

Your input to this consultation is important and will be used to develop options for shaping the future of the MRFF and MREA. We are interested in hearing from all stakeholders, including research, industry, consumers, health services and philanthropy.

What happens next

We will prepare and publish a report that summarises feedback received through the consultation process.

Events

  • Webinar 1

    From 6 Jun 2023 at 10:00 to 6 Jun 2023 at 11:30

    Webinar on the consultation process, including potential models and how you can share your views. To register, see related link below.

  • Webinar 2

    From 3 Jul 2023 at 14:30 to 3 Jul 2023 at 16:00

    Webinar 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