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Australia's research system

Understanding the resourcing, policies and structures needed to unleash the full power of Australia’s research and development enterprise.
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Our focus

We are uniquely positioned to understand the resourcing, policies and structures needed to unleash the full power of Australia’s research and development enterprise and to position it as a strategic national asset.

Reconfiguring our R&D ecosystem will elevate Australian research in an era of technological, geopolitical and economic disruption and amidst intense global competition. Maintaining research quality, collaboration and commercialisation are required to meet national needs.

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From left to right: Professor Louise Baur, President of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences; Professor Kate Darian-Smith, President of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia; Professor Stephen Garton, President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and Chair of the Australian Council of Learned Academies; Professor Chennupati Jagadish, President of the Australian Academy of Science; and Dr Cathy Foley, President of ATSE

Learned Academies and ACOLA: Joint response to the Strategic Examination of R&D

In a joint media conference, the Australian Council of Learned Academies and Australia’s five Learned Academies respond to the 'Ambitious Australia' report.
Anna-Maria Arabia

Academy Chief Executive on the 'Ambitious Australia' report

The report provides a clear-eyed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system – and importantly, it provides a coherent roadmap forward.
Australia's Parliament House in Canberra with the flag flying against a blue sky with fluffy white clouds

‘Ambitious Australia’ report: There is not a moment to waste

The Academy strongly supports recommendations from the Strategic Examination of Research and Development to stop the long-term decline in research funding and to craft an R&D system that supports scale and focus. Without this, Australia will fall behind.
A hand drawn sketch of a train

Sir Ernest Rutherford: A man of sums and sketches

A well-worn maths booklet owned by the famed physicist provides a glimpse into the working life of a researcher in the early 20th century, complete with surprising doodles.
Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC

Message from the President: February 2026

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026 – there is much to look forward to this year.

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Aerial Shine Dome May 2015 Credit Adi Chopra
  • Current

Incentivising business investment in R&D

The Australian Academy of Science is calling for an urgent national conversation on R&D investment in Australia.

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  • Planned

Australian Science, Australia's Future

Analysing Australia’s science capability to meet national challenges informed by the forces shaping our economy, the ASAF report identifies the eight science capabilities increasing most in demand over the coming decade.

The Australian Academy of Science acknowledges and pays respects to the Traditional Owners of all the lands on which the Academy operates, and where its Fellows and employees live and work. The Academy recognises Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first innovators and scientists of this land and honour their enduring connection to Country, from which we are committed to learn. We pay our respects to, and recognise the cultural authority of, their Elders past and present.

© 2026 Australian Academy of Science. All rights reserved.
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