NHMRC promotes the highest quality in the research that it funds.

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NHMRC has partnered with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to release the NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy. This reflects our commitment to high-quality research that is rigorous, transparent and reproducible to maximise the opportunity for improving health and wellbeing. By making research outputs freely available and fostering a culture of openness, the NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy aims to boost collaboration, reduce research waste, and ensure that Australia’s investment in health and medical research delivers the greatest possible benefit to society. 

Research Quality Strategy

High quality research that is rigorous, transparent and reproducible contributes to scientific progress, is essential for the translation of outcomes into practical and clinical applications and evidence-based policy, delivers the highest possible value for research investment and promotes community trust in scientific findings.

NHMRC's Research Quality Strategy (the Strategy) aims to ensure the highest quality of NHMRC-funded research by providing guidance and supporting good research practices throughout the research cycle.

NHMRC recognises the importance of partnership with researchers and research institutions in Australia to ensure high quality research and is actively consulting and engaging with the sector throughout the implementation of this Strategy.

Major activities under the Strategy

ActivityYearNotes/Resources (available below)
Responsible research assessmentCurrent activity
Guidance on the education and training of researchers about good research practicesCurrent activity
  • Activity to recommence in 202526 
Open ScienceFebruary 2026
  • Developed the NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy collaboratively with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. This incorporates the NHMRC Open Access Policy 2022 (Updated November 2023). 
Good institutional practice guideAugust 2025
Revision of NHMRC’s Open Access Policy2022 (minor updates in 2023)
  • Open Access Policy 2022 (Updated November 2023)
Survey of research culture in Australian NHMRC-funded institutionsOctober to November 2019
Research Quality WorkshopJuly 2019
  • Workshop report
  • Presentation by Professor Paul Glasziou

Useful resources

To assist researchers and institutions, we have brought together a number of resources about ensuring the highest quality in research.

TopicResource
All research
Animal research
Consumer and community involvement
Data
Human research
Open Science
Peer review
Responsible research assessment
Research Quality Workshop
Sex and gender
Survey of research culture in Australian NHMRC-funded institutions

Enquiries

For further information, contact quality@nhmrc.gov.au

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