To celebrate this milestone, a reception was held this week in Canberra, bringing together government leaders, policymakers, industry representatives and research partners from across Australia. It was a chance to look back on two decades of achievement, acknowledge the people behind NCRIS and explore the future of national research infrastructure.
The following day, a symposium brought together more than 250 researchers, industry partners, policymakers and NCRIS partners from across the country. It provided an opportunity to connect, share ideas and better understand each other’s priorities and capabilities.
The symposium included talks on building a healthier Australia, along with panel discussions on global collaboration, quantum energy and space, and the 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap. It also highlighted the importance of taking a coordinated and collaborative approach to delivering research infrastructure, and how this ethos of NCRIS has driven incredible interdisciplinary research and commercialisation outcomes.
From telescopes and microscopes and supercomputers to software platforms, NCRIS has supported 26 major projects led by universities, publicly funded research organisations and private companies with $5.5 billion in funding to support world-class research.
NCRIS underpins Australia’s productivity agenda by providing researchers and industry with access to world-class infrastructure that accelerates innovation, drives economic growth, and supports evidence-based solutions to national challenges. NCRIS is a truly Australian success story, bringing together communities from across the country to tackle national challenges and create opportunities for all Australians.
Assistant Minister for International Education, the Hon Julian Hill MP said:
“Fundamentally, what NCRIS is all about is empowering connection and access to resources. It is a highly collaborative and distinctly Australian program which maximises Australia’s investments in scientific equipment and open access resources.”
The anniversary celebrations highlighted why NCRIS has been so vital over the past 20 years – and why it remains essential to Australia’s research future.
