2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap

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Providing infrastructure of the quality and scale required to support cutting-edge research requires strategic nationwide, long-term planning. The Government produces National Research Infrastructure (NRI) Roadmaps to help identify Australia’s research infrastructure needs, set priorities, and guide investment. They are developed every 5 years to ensure Australian research remains competitive and relevant.  

The 2026 Roadmap will build on the recommendations and priorities identified in the 2021 Roadmap, take account of initiatives undertaken since that time, and will consider other changes in research requirements and priorities. It is being developed by the NRI Advisory Group to provide robust yet flexible planning, investment and prioritisation guidance to government on actions that will enable researchers to maintain excellence, increase innovation and address emerging challenges.

What we have done so far

Development of the Roadmap commenced in 2025 and has included:

  • Establishment in May 2025 of an Expert Working Group (EWG) drawn from members of the NRI Advisory Group, focused specifically on initiatives regarding Roadmap development. Current membership of the EWG is:
    • Emeritus Professor Liz Sonenberg (Chair)
    • Emeritus Professor Joseph Shapter FRACI CChem
    • Emeritus Professor Mark Western FASSA
    • Professor Stephen van Leeuwen
    • Distinguished Professor Brian Schmidt AC FRS FAA FTSE
    • Emeritus Professor Caroline McMillen AO FAHMS.
  • Review and analysis by the EWG of key topics and issues, including preparation for NRI Advisory Group endorsement of consultation arrangements.
  • Initial Roadmap consultation – over 520 submissions received from stakeholders to a survey on current and emerging NRI needs over the next 5-10 years.
  • Issues Paper consultations – a combination of targeted discussions with external experts and public consultation, to gain additional insights in key areas as identified in the published Roadmap Issues Paper. Over 280 submissions were received, and where agreed by the respondents, have been published.

Next steps

An Exposure Draft of the Roadmap is being developed within the context of the above consultations, the findings of the Ambitious Australia: Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) final report, other recent government reviews, and contemporary international challenges and opportunities for Australia’s NRI.  

It will be released for public consultation, ahead of the final Roadmap being presented to Government.