2026 NRI Roadmap Update, Department of Education, July 2026
As we work towards delivering the 2026 National Research Infrastructure (NRI) Roadmap to Government by the end of this year, we intend to provide regular updates on our progress. Specifically, we will share key activities underway and advise opportunities for engagement through the upcoming stages of the Roadmap’s development.
The Expert Working Group met in early July to plan the next steps in this process. Building on feedback from our Initial Survey and Issues Paper, and drawing on key national documents including Ambitious Australia, and relevant international analyses, the shape of the Exposure Draft is being refined.
A small number of areas have been highlighted for additional focus prior to its release. Three Topic Reference Groups bringing together expertise from across Australia’s research system have been established and initial meetings are underway:
- Artificial Intelligence and Research Infrastructure (AI&RI)
- National Digital Research Infrastructure (NDRI)
- Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (HASS/GLAM)
Engagement across the research sector remains a central part of the Roadmap process. In addition to these specific groups, discussions are continuing across Government and the broader research sector to better understand current capabilities, emerging priorities and future NRI needs.
Exposure Draft and public consultation
An Exposure Draft of the 2026 NRI Roadmap is expected to be released around mid-September 2026.
The Exposure Draft will be accompanied by a period of public consultation, which is being planned to include virtual Townhalls, focus groups on specific themes and a public online survey. Further information on consultation opportunities and timeframes will be made available closer to the release date.
We look forward to working with the sector over the coming months as development of the Roadmap continues.