Research quality

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

Latest news

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

Activity	Year	Notes/Resources (available below)
Responsible research assessment	Current activity	Signatory of the San Franscisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and active participation in the DORA Funder discussion group Signatory of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment Developed an action plan aligned with the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment
Guidance on the education and training of researchers about good research practices	Current activity	Activity to recommence in 2025–26
Open Science	February 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 guide	August 2025	Good institutional practice guide 2025
Revision of NHMRC’s Open Access Policy	2022 (minor updates in 2023)	Open Access Policy 2022 (Updated November 2023)
Survey of research culture in Australian NHMRC-funded institutions	October to November 2019	Key messages from the survey Survey report The survey is registered on the Open Science Framework
Research Quality Workshop	July 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.

Topic	Resource
All research	Australian code for the responsible conduct of research
Animal research	Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes Best practice methodology in the use of animals for scientific purposes
Consumer and community involvement	Statement on consumer and community involvement in health and medical research
Data	Principles for accessing and using publicly funded data for health research
Human research	National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders and Keeping research on track II
Open Science	NHMRC and MRFF Open Science Policy F.A.I.R. statement
Peer review	Peer review principles and process
Responsible research assessment	NHMRC Action Plan for Responsible Research Assessment
Research Quality Workshop	Workshop report Presentation by Professor Paul Glasziou – see Downloads section
Sex and gender	Statement on Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in Health and Medical Research
Survey of research culture in Australian NHMRC-funded institutions	Key messages from the survey – see Downloads section Survey Report and Executive Summary - see Downloads section

Enquiries

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

Quick links

Funding

Health advice

Research policy

About us