Submission: Draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy consultation

The George Institute for Global Health appreciates the opportunity to respond to the Australian Government's consultation on the Draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy.

We recommend that the Strategy include strong and explicit commitments to sustainable, long‑term funding mechanisms that allow independent medical research institutes to deliver high‑impact, mission‑driven research. Without reform to indirect cost funding, salary support, and overall investment levels, the Strategy risks reproducing the structural limitations that currently undermine Australia's research capability.

The George Institute remains a strong supporter of a national, coordinated approach to strengthening the health and medical research ecosystem. We welcome the Strategy's focus on capability, equity, translation, and impact. We are committed to working with government and partners to ensure the Strategy delivers a research system that improves health outcomes for all Australians.