About the MRFF

MRFF Strategy and Priorities

The Medical Research Future Fund's Strategy and Priorities guide the Australian Government's decisions on which research projects to fund.

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Strategy and Priorities inform where the Australian Government directs its research funding. The Health Minister takes into account the MRFF Strategy and Priorities when deciding how to use the fund's money.

An independent group of experts called the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) sets the MRFF Strategy and Priorities. They do this in accordance with MRFF legislation.

AMRAB carries out national consultations before setting the MRFF Strategies and Priorities. This makes sure that they focus on the best areas for future research.

The Government takes the MRFF Strategy and Priorities into account when deciding how to use MRFF funding. AMRAB does not decide which projects will receive MRFF funds.

See our MRFF 10-year Investment Plan to see how we are applying the MRFF Strategy and Priorities to initiatives that make a difference to Australians' health.

MRFF Strategy

AMRAB sets the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy every 5 years. It takes into account Australia's health needs and areas that need greater investment.

The strategic objectives for 2026-2031 for the MRFF are to deliver: 

  • a research-rich, data-enabled learning health system that continuously improves quality, efficiency, productivity, cultural safety and equity 
  • transformation of health care through AI and digital health advances that integrate preventive health, diagnostics and therapeutics across the care continuum 
  • end-to-end translation of discoveries and innovation into real-world impact-building sovereign capability and delivering measurable health and wellbeing, productivity and economic benefits 
  • thriving health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through research that is community-governed and directed  
  • a health and medical research sector and health system positioned to understand and respond to determinants of health and wellbeing including climate and environment change 
  • a skilled, sustainable, inclusive and future-ready health and medical research workforce that accelerates innovation, translation and system capability.

MRFF Priorities

AMRAB sets the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities every 2 years. 

In line with the MRFF funding principles, the government considers which initiatives will reduce burden of disease, provide practical benefits, or deliver the best value for money. The government takes the priorities into account when making funding decisions.

The MRFF’s priorities for 2026-2028 are: 

  • integrated digital health systems 
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community governed and directed research 
  • advanced therapeutics and emerging technology 
  • health impacts from environmental factors, including climate change 
  • multiomics-informed health care 
  • determinants of health 
  • embedding research in the health system 
  • skilled and sustainable health and medical research workforce 
  • AI in research and health systems. 

Priorities that are no longer in force can be found on the Federal Register of Legislation.

See how MRFF funding has aligned with the priorities.

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