About the Genomics Health Futures Mission
The Genomics Health Futures Mission is investing $500.1 million in genomic medicine research over 10 years from 2018-19. Genomics is a technology that can transform clinical medicine.
Genomics can use information about genes to:
- identify genetic disorders
- diagnose rare diseases more quickly (about 80% of all rare diseases are genetic in origin)
- predict their likely response to different treatments, so doctors can more precisely tailor treatment for individuals
- predict their risk of developing disease, which can guide prevention strategies
- classify cancerous tumours to guide treatment choices.
The Genomics Health Futures Mission will build on existing research to demonstrate the benefits of genomics and related technologies for patients and the health system. As the use of genomics becomes more widespread, there will be increasing opportunities to tailor and refine the management of disease. This means more expensive and avoidable diagnostic procedures and treatments will stop.
Why it is important
This Genomics Health Futures Mission supports research to:
- improve testing and diagnosis for many diseases
- help personalise treatment options to better target and improve health outcomes
- reduce unnecessary interventions and health costs.
The Genomics Health Futures Mission funds research to integrate genomic knowledge and technology into clinical practice. This research will support clinical use of genomics that is:
- safe
- cost-effective
- equitable
- sensitive to the associated ethical, legal and social issues of using genomic information in health care.
The Genomics Health Futures Mission will bring hope to Australians suffering diseases that are life threatening and currently untreatable.
Objectives
The objective of the Genomics Health Futures Mission is to save or transform the lives of more than 200,000 Australians through genomic research to deliver better testing, diagnosis and treatment.
- help Australia move towards routine use of genomics in healthcare
- support new clinical trials and technology applications allowing Australian patients to benefit from the latest medical research
- create a new highly skilled workforce and new career pathways
- support new industries
- talk with the Australian community to share the value of genomics
- listen and respond to the perspective of communities on issues like privacy, family impact, and the legal and social aspects of using genomics in health care
- support development of secure data storage, access, analysis and sharing to benefit Australians.
Meeting our objectives
The Genomics Health Futures Mission Expert Advisory Panel has refreshed the Mission’s Roadmap and Implementation Plan. This is to advise the Minister for Health and Aged Care on the strategic priorities for research investment through the mission. These documents will inform future Genomic Health Futures Mission grant opportunities.
We published the current Roadmap and Implementation Plan in March 2025.
The draft Roadmap and Implementation Plan received community feedback through a national consultation between 14 October 2024 and 8 November 2024. See the Genomics Health Futures Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan National Consultation Report – January 2025.
MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission strategic documents
Who we work with
The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funds the Mission.
The Genomics Health Futures Mission Expert Advisory Panel advised the Minister for Health and Aged Care. This guidance included strategic priorities for research investment by refreshing the Roadmap and Implementation Plan.
Our Health and Medical Research Office oversees this and other MRFF initiatives.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources administer this Mission.
Apply for funding
View the MRFF grants calendar to see which grants are open, when applications close and when we expect to award funding.
Register with GrantConnect to receive notifications about future funding opportunities under this Mission.
Grants awarded
See a list of all MRFF grant recipients.
Monitoring, evaluation and learning
In 2023-24, we engaged Nous Group to review the Genomics Health Futures Mission. Nous Group assessed the Genomics Health Futures Mission’s progress and opportunities for improvement in:
- supporting genomics and genetics research in Australia
- meeting the objectives set out in the
- Genomics Health Futures Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan
- MRFF 10-year Investment Plan
- MRFF Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Strategy.
We also engaged Australian Genomics to assess the Genomics Health Futures Mission's standing among national and internal genomics funders.
Read the outcomes of the Review of the Genomics Health Futures Mission.
Learn about MRFF monitoring, evaluation and learning.
Mission documents
- MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission strategic documents
- MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan Refresh National Consultation Report – January 2025
- MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission Roadmap – September 2021
- MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission Implementation Plan – September 2021
- Genomics Health Futures Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan National Consultation Report - September 2021
- MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission International Review of the Roadmap and Implementation Plan - November 2020
- Review of the Genomics Health Futures Mission
Contact
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) contact
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
