NARF Executive Meeting with Deputy Chief of Staff Clare Firth: Navigating Research Funding Challenges in Australia
On the 30th of April, 2024, the NARF Executive team met with Clare Firth, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Medical Research Advisor to Minister Mark Butler, to discuss the evolving landscape of research funding in Australia. This meeting discussed opportunities to harmonize funding efforts, address critical challenges in research grant success rates, and understand the government’s plans for improving coherence in the system.
Background and Introductions
The meeting began with a warm welcome from Gina Ravenscroft, the NARF President, who introduced the attendees and provided a brief background on NARF. She expressed excitement about the ongoing consultation on harmonizing the funding systems of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), highlighting NARF’s support for models that promote both discovery science and medical translation.
Addressing Legislative and Cost Implications
Clare Firth thanked NARF for reaching out to the Minister’s office and acknowledged the significance of the meeting. She indicated that there are still legislative and cost implications to address, requiring broader cabinet agreement. However, she assured the group that the process to align the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) and MRFF is already underway, with the agencies collaborating to improve coherence. Clare also hinted at the release of the consultation outcomes within the next week and upcoming announcements by the Minister.
Concerns Over Funding Success Rates
Gina emphasized NARF’s concern about the low success rates for research funding, particularly in discovery research. She called for an urgent doubling of the NHMRC budget to address the crisis. With success rates dropping to 6-10%, many researchers are either leaving the sector or seeking opportunities overseas, posing a significant threat to Australia’s research capabilities. She noted that funding is now easier to obtain overseas due to more available resources and iterative review processes. Other countries have increased research funding post-COVID, but Australia hasn’t followed suit.
Increasing the budget could help reverse the current brain drain and attract top talent from overseas. Clare acknowledged that understanding the full funding landscape in Australia is challenging due to a lack of consolidation. She expressed the government’s intent to improve coherence and reduce duplication.
Improving Peer Review and Addressing Systemic Challenges
NARF once again raised concerns about the lack of scrutiny in some MRFF funding compared to NHMRC grants. Consistent peer review processes across all funding schemes are urgently needed, with a right of rebuttal for applicants. Furthermore, recent changes in the NHMRC system have had unintended consequences, leading to reduced collaborations and support for younger researchers. NARF advocated for re-evaluating these changes to foster a more inclusive and effective system.
Clare recognised the concerns and highlighted that MRFF decisions have been peer-reviewed within the current government.
Next Steps and Closing Remarks
Gina concluded the meeting by expressing interest in further discussions on various issues, including why grants are announced under embargo and why there aren’t set dates for outcome announcements. She indicated that these are small, cost-neutral changes that could positively impact researchers’ mental health.
Clare expressed gratitude for NARF’s engagement and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving research funding. The meeting ended on a positive note, with NARF looking forward to continued collaboration with Clare and Minister Butler’s office in the coming months and years.
The insights and concerns shared during this meeting highlight the critical need for a coherent and well-funded research ecosystem in Australia. NARF’s ongoing dialogue with government officials is crucial for ensuring that the country’s research community receives the support and resources it needs to thrive.