Recent independent research has found that the majority of Victorian medical research institutes will be financially unviable by 2028 due to the rapidly rising indirect costs of research.

In 2023, the gap in funding for the full costs of research was over $200m and is expected to rise to over $370m in 2029. Currently, for every $1 of research grant funding received, Victoria’s independent medical research institutes must find an additional 48c to meet the indirect costs of that research. For NARI these include:

• Cyber security to protect research participant data
• Maintaining and upgrading physical facilities and IT resources
• Fundamental professional services like administration, HR, finance, legal and communications.

These costs are critical to conducting the world-leading medical research for which NARI, and Victoria is renowned and which was recently highlighted in Victoria’s Economic Growth Statement as one of five key industries driving Victoria’s future economic growth.

As a not-for-profit medical research institute, and long-standing member of the Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), NARI supports the urgent call for the Victorian Government to prioritise the health and wellbeing of all Australians by increasing funding for the indirect costs of research by $60m per annum, starting in the 2025-2026 Victorian budget.

How you can help

You can help secure NARI’s future by sharing, promoting and amplifying our plea for comprehensive funding that reflects the real expenses of medical research in Victoria. Together we can ensure a future where scientific breakthrough continues to transform lives and address the most pressing health challenges of our time.

For more information, please visit AAMRI’s campaign website: Visit AAMRI’s campaign website 

To communicate your support directly with the Victorian Government, please contact: The Hon Danny Pearson MP, Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs | Victorian Minister for Finance, on (03) 9658 4101 or via email at [email protected]