StrategicResearchPriorities-QuestionandAnswers.pdfVIP

Strategic Research Priorities – Questions and Answers Background What are the Strategic Research Priorities? The Strategic Research Priorities (SRPs) aim to drive investment in areas that are of immediate and critical importance to addressing the societal challenges facing Australia and the world. The SRPs will complement the broad base of support for research provided by the Australian Government and foster a more coordinated and strategic approach within the identified areas. Why are the SRPs important? In developing the National Research Investment Plan (Investment Plan), the Australian Research Committee (ARCom) identified that Australia’s investment in research would be most effective in meeting the needs of the nation if it were set within a comprehensive planning framework. Strategic whole-of-government research priorities are central to this framework. Such priorities will encourage a critical research mass to develop and be supported in areas of competitive advantage and national importance. The SRPs will assist the Australian Government to ensure that there is sufficient scale of effort to achieve a strong impact in these critical areas. How do the SRPs fit within the broader policy settings for research in Australia? The SRPs are a vital part of the research investment planning process outlined in the Investment Plan. This process will enable a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to research investment that is structured to meet national needs and provide value for money. A process of this sort is likely, over time, to result in an increased proportion of Australian Government research investment being allocat