Under the NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy, at least one version of any research paper funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and/or the NHMRC must:
- be openly accessible from the moment it is published – that is, without any embargo
- clearly recognise funding sources and unique identifiers to track impact.
The policy now allows another route for research papers to comply beyond the NHMRC’s Open Access Policy, by freely posting a preprint version online.
Researchers are:
- to share their data and methods as openly as possible, guided by principles that ensure data is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable
- respect the rights and interests of Indigenous communities through dedicated governance and stewardship.
The policy encourages researchers to:
- plan for openness from the very start of their projects
- publish negative results as well as positive ones
- make research software and code available for others to use and build upon.
Intellectual property is protected, but the policy also calls for collaboration and transparency, especially when research involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
By making research outputs freely available and fostering a culture of openness, the NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy aims to:
- boost collaboration
- reduce research waste
- ensure that Australia’s investment in health and medical research delivers the greatest possible benefit to society.
The policy will apply to MRFF grant opportunities that open from 1 January 2026, noting a small number of grant opportunities may be exempted. To determine if the new policy applies in a particular grant opportunity, refer to the grant opportunity guidelines on GrantConnect.
NHMRC grant holders will be required to comply with the policy from 2 February 2026.
For more details, read the full NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy.
Learn about the MRFF.