Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)

Question

1. Why has the Government delayed full disbursement until 2030-31 rather than releasing these funds immediately to address the current crisis in Australian medical research? 2. Can the Minister or Department please outline how much MRFF funding remains undistributed each year under the current model? - Please also explain why Australian researchers and institutes are facing funding shortfalls while substantial MRFF earnings continue to accumulate? 3. Why has the increase in MRFF funding been made contingent on the National Health and Medical Research Strategy? - When will the NHMR strategy be released? 4. How will the Government measure whether increased MRFF investment translates into improved patient outcomes, clinical trial activity, biotech growth, and health-system savings for Australians? 5. In the context of intensifying global competition for biomedical talent, what measures accompany the MRFF increase to prevent further loss of Australian clinician-scientists and early-to mid-career researchers overseas? 6. What steps is the Government taking to ensure equitable distribution of MRFF funding across states, regional centres, and emerging research institutes rather than concentrating funding within a small number of established organisations?

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• DHDA SQ26-002817.pdf (opens in a new tab)