The Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) have recently released a new 5-year Strategy for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2021-2026, as well as 13 new draft Priorities to support these Strategies. The Strategies and Priorities will guide about $650 million in medical research funding each year.
Last month, ACTA submitted a response as part of the AMRAB consultation, and it was pleasing to see the newly announced Strategies and Priorities aligned well with ACTA’s submission. This was reflected in the new MRFF Strategies, including the need for evidence-based practice to be embedded in the health care system, a focus on consumer input and health equity, as well as a focus on building an agile and collaborative sector. There was also good alignment across the Priorities, specifically in the areas of aging and aged care, consumer involvement in research, comparative effectiveness and primary care research, as well as the simpler use and better access of existing data sources and infrastructure.
We look forward to continuing to work with the MRFF and AMRAB to ensure ACTA can help to see that these Priorities and Strategies are achieved.