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National Research Priorities

Announced in 2002 and revised in 2003, Australia ’s National Research Priorities are thematic and are underpinned by ‘priority goals’. The four current National Research Priorities are:

- An Environmentally Sustainable Australia;
- Promoting and Maintaining Good Health;
- Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries; and
- Safeguarding Australia.

Setting priorities provides a vision of where research can contribute to Australia’s future prosperity and well being, and will help to align our nation’s research effort in these key areas. National research priorities will enhance the quality and impact of our research effort by building critical mass in these areas and by promoting collaboration between research organisations and with industry.
Following a National Research Priorities (NRP) Standing Committee report to the Asutralian Government in 2007, the National Research Priorities are expected to be reviewed in 2009.

More details available at the Australian National Research Priorities website

Overview of Designated National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals

Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia

Transforming the way we utilise our land, water, mineral and energy resources through a better understanding of human and environmental systems and the use of new technologies

Priority Goals

  • Water – a critical resource
    Sustainable ways of improving water productivity, using less water in agriculture and other industries, providing increased protection of rivers and groundwater and the re-use of urban and industrial waste waters.
  • Transforming existing industries
    New technologies for resource-based industries to deliver substantial increases in national wealth while minimising environmental impacts on land and sea.
  • Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity
    Identifying causes and solutions to land degradation using a multidisciplinary approach to restore land surfaces.
  • Reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation
    Alternative transport technologies and clean combustion and efficient new power generation systems and capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide. 
  • Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity
    Managing and protecting Australia’s terrestrial and marine biodiversity both for its own value and to develop long term use of ecosystem goods and services ranging from fisheries to ecotourism.
  • Developing deep earth resources
    Smart high-technology exploration methodologies, including imaging and mapping the deep earth and ocean floors, and novel efficient ways of commodity extraction and processing (examples include minerals, oil and gas) while minimising negative ecological and social impacts.
  • Responding to climate change and variability
    Increasing our understanding of the impact of climate change and variability at the regional level across Australia , and addressing the consequences of these factors on the environment and on communities.

Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health

Promoting good health and well being for all Australians

Priority Goals

  • A healthy start to life
    Counteracting the impact of genetic, social and environmental factors which predispose infants and children to ill health and reduce their well being and life potential. 
  • Ageing well, ageing productively
    Developing better social, medical and population health strategies to improve the mental and physical capacities of ageing people. 
  • Preventive healthcare
    New ethical, evidence-based strategies to promote health and prevent disease through the adoption of healthier lifestyles and diet, and the development of health-promoting products. 
  • Strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric
    Understanding and strengthening key elements of Australia 's social and economic fabric to help families and individuals live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.

Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries

Stimulating the growth of world-class Australian industries using innovative technologies developed from cutting-edge research

Priority Goals

  • Breakthrough science
    Better understanding of the fundamental processes that will advance knowledge and facilitate the development of technological innovations.
  • Frontier technologies
    Enhanced capacity in frontier technologies to power world-class industries of the future and build on Australia’s strengths in research and innovation (examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT, photonics, genomics/phonemics, and complex systems).
  • Advanced materials
    Advanced materials for applications in construction, communications, transport, agriculture and medicine (examples include ceramics, organics, biomaterials, smart material and fabrics, composites, polymers and light metals).
  • Smart information use
    Improved data management for existing and new business applications and creative applications for digital technologies (examples include e-finance, interactive systems, multi-platform media, creative industries, digital media creative design, content generation and imaging).
  • Promoting an innovation culture and economy
    Maximising Australia ’s creative and technological capability by understanding the factors conducive to innovation and its acceptance.

Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia

Safeguarding Australia from terrorism, crime, invasive diseases and pests, strengthening our understanding of Australia ’s place in the region and the world, and securing our infrastructure, particularly with respect to our digital systems.

Priority Goals

  • Critical infrastructure
    Protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure including our financial, energy, communications, and transport systems.
  • Understanding our region and the world
    Enhancing Australia’s capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment through a greater understanding of languages, societies, politics and cultures.
  • Protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests
    Counteract the impact of invasive species through the application of new technologies and by integrating approaches across agencies and jurisdictions. 
  • Protecting Australia from terrorism and crime
    By promoting a healthy and diverse research and development system that anticipates threats and supports core competencies in modern and rapid identification techniques.
  • Transformational defence technologies
    Transform military operations for the defence of Australia by providing superior technologies, better information and improved ways of operation.