- Date opened
-
- Date closes
-
About the NRI Roadmap
National Research Infrastructure (NRI) comprises the nationally significant assets, facilities, services, and associated expertise to support leading edge research and innovation. As identified in the Australian Universities Accord Final Report, the National Science Statement, and the Strategic Examination of R&D Discussion Paper, NRI is crucial to creating breakthroughs in fundamental research, developing cutting-edge applied research, facilitating industry adoption of R&D and providing sovereign capability that can rapidly be harnessed to address new opportunities and challenges.
The Australian Government supports NRI across a range of initiatives. For example, the Australian Research Council (ARC) provides funding under the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme for universities to purchase, construct or access research infrastructure. Australia’s publicly funded research agencies (PFRAs) manage and make available a range of NRI to enable scientific research and technology development, such as the Australian Synchrotron, managed by Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
Major investments in international research infrastructure projects such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), managed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, provide national benefits including researcher access to a world-class facility to advance our knowledge of the universe.
Since 2004 a key pillar of Australia’s NRI has been the Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program, currently supported by a $4 billion investment over 12 years. NCRIS is a highly collaborative program that maximises Australia’s NRI investments by coordinating open access, targeted specialities, and co-funding across the country. NCRIS is a key enabler across domains and disciplines and provides strong scaffolding to address national priorities.
Providing infrastructure of the quality and scale required for cutting-edge research has long lead times and requires nationwide, long-term planning. Every 5 years the Government reviews and revises its approach to NRI to ensure Australian research remains world class and relevant to Australia’s needs. The development of a 2026 Roadmap will build on the recommendations and priorities identified in the 2021 Roadmap. It will help guide Government investments in the coming 5 years, including through the NCRIS program.
For the first time, the 2026 Roadmap will be developed by our existing NRI Advisory Group (NRIAG), with support from the Department of Education. The NRIAG was established in December 2022 and has provided ongoing strategic advice to Government on NRI matters, including progressing recommendations identified in the 2021 Roadmap – such as the recently released National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy.
What’s planned for this year
As with previous Roadmaps, the 2026 Roadmap will be based on extensive consultation with the research sector, engagement with experts and stakeholders across government and industry, and informed by international trends.
Quarter 1 2025 - Release initial survey to seek views on the current and emerging requirements that the 2026 Roadmap should cover. The Roadmap development process will be supported by an Expert Working Group – which will include representatives from the NRI Advisory Group – to provide expert advice on matters relating to the Roadmap.
Quarter 2 2025 - The Expert Working Group will work with the sector to identify future NRI needs while the Department of Education will engage extensively with other portfolios to elicit whole-of-government perspectives on NRI.
Quarter 3 2025 – An Issues Paper will be developed on opportunities and gaps identified against research themes, including a summary of findings from the consultations to date. This will be released for further consultation and will inform the development of an Exposure Draft of the Roadmap.
Quarter 4 2025 - The Exposure Draft will be released for feedback and will include information for the sector, government and key stakeholders on the key findings and recommendations for NRI over the coming years. The final 2026 Roadmap is expected to be provided to Government for consideration by the end of 2025.
