This year marks an incredible milestone for the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) – 20 years of powering Australian and global innovations, enabling breakthrough discoveries, strengthening research capability, and driving real-world impact.
For 20 years, NCRIS has quietly powered some of Australia’s most meaningful scientific advances. Backed by the Australian Government, NCRIS funds the major research facilities, equipment and data collections that researchers and industry rely on to bring their ideas to reality.
From telescopes and microscopes and supercomputers to software platforms, NCRIS has supported 26 major projects led by universities, publicly funded research organisations and private companies with $5.5 billion in funding to support world-class research.
NCRIS is one of Australia’s most successful long‑term science and research policies, supporting national research capability across major disciplines, including health, advanced manufacturing, environmental science, agriculture, astronomy, and digital technologies.
NCRIS is powering lifechanging medical breakthroughs.
Scientists at the University of Queensland, are developing powerful new agents designed to detect ovarian cancer earlier – one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose. With support from the NCRIS‑funded National Imaging Facility, these agents have undergone rigorous testing and have been used in PET scans, helping pave the way for clinical trials now underway in cancer patients.
Backed by Therapeutic Innovation Australia, this breakthrough work is bringing lifesaving early‑detection tools closer to reality.
“NCRIS has been essential for taking my research out of the lab and into clinical trials in cancer patients. My research team would not be where we are today without the support of Australia’s fantastic NCRIS facilities,” said Professor John Hooper, Professor of Cancer Research, Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland.
NCRIS-funded Bioplatforms Australia is supporting a world‑first breakthrough: a simple blood test that can identify postpartum depression early and accurately – going beyond self‑reported symptoms. The technology could transform care for new mothers, by giving clinicians earlier, more personalised treatment for women at risk.
A groundbreaking new device to treat glaucoma – the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness – is now in human clinical trials. Developed by VividWhite, with support from the NCRIS‑funded Australian National Fabrication Facility, a tiny surgical implant helps safely drain fluid from the eye into surrounding tissue, to prevent permanent vision loss. This innovative technology could transform glaucoma treatment and offer hope to millions at risk of losing their sight.
Every five years, the Australian Government renews its approach to NRI through an NRI Roadmap. The development of the 2026 NRI Roadmap is underway to help shape and secure the future direction of NCRIS for the next 10 years and ensure that Australia’s research infrastructure remains responsive to emerging needs, and competitive on an international scale.
To find out more, visit National Research Infrastructure.
Image credit: National Imaging Facility
NCRIS: Celebrating 20 Years of Research Support and Innovation