Marking a Decade of the Medical Research Future Fund
10 Sep 2025
The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is celebrating 10 years of supporting health and medical research in Australia. Over the past decade, it has awarded $4.2 billion in funding across 1,695 grants, enabling Australian researchers to achieve important breakthroughs in healthcare.
The $24 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is helping Australian researchers turn innovative ideas into life-saving and life-changing treatments for people in Australia and around the world. Funded projects cover early-stage concepts, large-scale long-term research, and commercial launches. Some notable examples include:
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An artificial heart that keeps patients alive until a donor heart is available.
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Bionic glasses that allow blind and visually impaired people to “see” through sound.
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Lightweight brain scanners that deliver rapid pre-hospital stroke care via ambulances.
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A medical brain monitor that ensures patients remain optimally anaesthetised and pain-free during surgery.
The MRFF differs from other government health research funding because it:
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Supports research that addresses national health priorities.
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Focuses on translating research into real-world treatments and outcomes.
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Responds quickly to emerging health issues.
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Strengthens Australia’s health system sustainably and economically.
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Involves consumers in research at every stage.
With an additional $6.5 billion committed by the Australian Government over the next 10 years, the MRFF will continue to drive health and medical research forward in Australia.
(Source: Australian Government – Medical Research Future Fund)
