Current Consultations

Research Australia regularly contributes to the policy discussions on issues pertinent to Health and Medical Research. This can be through submissions or participating in consultations.

The following lists both consultations and invitations to make submissions which are relevant to health and medical research and/or health and innovation policy in Australia. Research Australia updates this regularly but we may not participate in every one listed.

If you would like more information or you are aware of other consultations that should be included, please contact the Policy and Advocacy Team via email
policy@researchaustralia.org.

Please click the heading in the left-hand column to access consultation information from the relevant website.

Consultation	Details
Possible Association of Horizon Europe October 2025	Australia has started non-binding exploratory talks with the European Union on possible association to Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation. Australia currently participates in the program as a Third Country Participant. By comparison, Associate Members have greater access to funding and the ability to lead projects. To date 20 non-EU countries are associated to Horizon Europe. The Australian Government is looking at possible association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.
Medical Research Future Fund’s Indigenous Health Research Fund 2026 Grant Opportunity Consultation 28 November 2025	The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Indigenous Health Research Fund (IHRF) is investing $160 million over 11 years, from 2018–19 to 2028–29, for research to improve the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The IHRF’s next grant opportunity will award $28.5 million through an open and competitive process to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled program to support health research projects. A Working Group of the NHMRC-MRFF Indigenous Advisory Group, led by Professor Yvette Roe, has provided advice to the Department on design of the grant opportunity. This consultation is to seek feedback on the key sections of the draft grant opportunity guidelines (objectives, outcome, assessment criteria, and additional glossary definitions) and on the draft assessment scoring matrix.
Digital Mental Health Tools Regulatory Environment Survey 1 December 2025	There is growing interest in using software and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare delivery, including where it is used to support people with mental health conditions. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is reviewing the regulations that apply to software-based medical devices – including digital mental health tools (DMHTs) – that are used to screen, diagnose, monitor and/or treat patients experiencing mental health conditions.
2026 NRI Roadmap Issues Paper Consultation 1 December 2025	Development of the 2026 NRI Roadmap began in early 2025 when the Department of Education and the ministerially appointed NRI Advisory Group conducted an initial, public consultation survey. The Issues Paper has been developed through ongoing analysis of the Survey responses by the Department of Education and the 2026 NRI Roadmap Expert Working Group (that functions as a subgroup of the NRI Advisory Group). Following analysis of feedback gathered in response to this Issues Paper, outcomes of other government reviews such as the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD), matters drawn from the Survey and other discussions and consultations, an Exposure Draft Roadmap will be released for public consultation. That document is expected to provide a preliminary view of the final 2026 NRI Roadmap.

Consultation

Details

Possible Association of Horizon Europe

October 2025

Australia has started non-binding exploratory talks with the European Union on possible association to Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation.

Australia currently participates in the program as a Third Country Participant. By comparison, Associate Members have greater access to funding and the ability to lead projects. To date 20 non-EU countries are associated to Horizon Europe. The Australian Government is looking at possible association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.

Medical Research Future Fund’s Indigenous Health Research Fund 2026 Grant Opportunity Consultation

28 November 2025

The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Indigenous Health Research Fund (IHRF) is investing $160 million over 11 years, from 2018–19 to 2028–29, for research to improve the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

The IHRF’s next grant opportunity will award $28.5 million through an open and competitive process to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled program to support health research projects.

A Working Group of the NHMRC-MRFF Indigenous Advisory Group, led by Professor Yvette Roe, has provided advice to the Department on design of the grant opportunity. This consultation is to seek feedback on the key sections of the draft grant opportunity guidelines (objectives, outcome, assessment criteria, and additional glossary definitions) and on the draft assessment scoring matrix.

Digital Mental Health Tools Regulatory Environment Survey

1 December 2025

There is growing interest in using software and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare delivery, including where it is used to support people with mental health conditions.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is reviewing the regulations that apply to software-based medical devices – including digital mental health tools (DMHTs) – that are used to screen, diagnose, monitor and/or treat patients experiencing mental health conditions.

2026 NRI Roadmap Issues Paper Consultation

1 December 2025

Development of the 2026 NRI Roadmap began in early 2025 when the Department of Education and the ministerially appointed NRI Advisory Group conducted an initial, public consultation survey.

The Issues Paper has been developed through ongoing analysis of the Survey responses by the Department of Education and the 2026 NRI Roadmap Expert Working Group (that functions as a subgroup of the NRI Advisory Group). Following analysis of feedback gathered in response to this Issues Paper, outcomes of other government reviews such as the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD), matters drawn from the Survey and other discussions and consultations, an Exposure Draft Roadmap will be released for public consultation. That document is expected to provide a preliminary view of the final 2026 NRI Roadmap.