New national strategy strengthens the role of research translation centres
SPHERE has welcomed a new national strategy that places Research Translation Centres at the heart of efforts to turn health and medical research into better care, stronger health systems and improved outcomes for Australian communities.
Released by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the NHMRC Research Translation Strategy 2026–2030 sets out how research will be more effectively translated into real-world impact, including improved health equity, evidence-informed policy, health system change and commercialised innovation.
It recognises Research Translation Centres as key national infrastructure for bringing together health services, universities, researchers, clinicians and communities to address real-world healthcare challenges.
The Australian Health Research Alliance has also welcomed the Strategy and its strengthened support for Research Translation Centres across Australia.
AHRA Chair Professor Carol Hodgson said the Strategy provided a strong national framework to accelerate the translation of research into improved health outcomes, stronger health systems and greater benefit for Australian communities.
As SPHERE is one of Australia’s NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centres and a member of AHRA, SPHERE Executive Director Professor Julie White said the Strategy strongly aligned with SPHERE’s direction and its focus on translating research into measurable impact.
“This Strategy is an important recognition of the role Research Translation Centres play in connecting research with the needs of health services, clinicians, patients and communities.
“It closely aligns with SPHERE’s new Strategy and Action Plan, particularly our focus on health service-led research, stronger partnerships, workforce capability and the adoption of evidence into practice.
The Strategy identifies Research Translation Centres as important drivers of health service-led research, implementation, capability building and long-term partnerships between researchers and health services. It includes a commitment to support Research Translation Centres through accreditation and funding to embed health service-led research and strengthen research culture, translation and impact.