What is NCRIS?
NCRIS is a programme that was announced by the Australian Government in 2004 as part of Backing Australia’s Ability – Building our Future through Science and Innovation.
Through NCRIS, the Government is providing $542 million over 2005-2011 to provide researchers with major research facilities, supporting infrastructure and networks necessary for world-class research. It follows the major programme of investments provided under the Systemic Infrastructure Initiative and the Major National Research Facilities Programme.
What does NCRIS fund?
NCRIS funds capability areas that are identified in the NCRIS Roadmap.
NCRIS funds can be used to cover:
- operation and development of existing facilities;
- enhancement of existing facilities;
- establishment, operation and development of new facilities; and
- gaining access to offshore facilities.
NCRIS funds will not be used to fund research programs, projects or activities.
Are there research infrastructure needs that NCRIS will not address?
NCRIS does not provide funding for:
- ‘Landmark’ infrastructure requirements, which require funding greater than $60 million; or
- institutional level or small-scale collaborative infrastructure.
How does NCRIS ‘fit’ with other research funding schemes offered by the Government?
NCRIS complements funding provided by the Australian Government for:
- research infrastructure and equipment (such as the Research Infrastructure Block Grants Scheme delivered by DEST and the Australian Research Council’s [ARC] Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme);
- research projects (for example, through the ARC or the National Health and Medical Research Council, or the International Science Linkages Programme and Institutional Grants Scheme offered by DEST); and
- research training (for example, through DEST’s Research Training Scheme and Institutional Grants Scheme).
How much funding might a research capability receive through NCRIS to support an Investment Plan?
The level of NCRIS funding invested in each research capability will be dependent on the strategic impact of that investment.
How will NCRIS funding be made available?
NCRIS funding for specific research capabilities is made available through a funding agreement with the Department of Education, Science and Training and organisations identified on the investment plan.
Do NCRIS funds need to be ‘matched’ by the research community?
There is no specific requirement for the research community to match NCRIS funds. However, recognising the importance of the proposed infrastructure to the research community, it is expected that there will be significant co-investment by the research community and other interested parties.
What are the key principles for investment in research infrastructure under NCRIS?
The key principles underpinning NCRIS are that:
- Australia’s investment in research infrastructure should be planned and developed with the aim of maximising the contributions of the R&D system to economic development, national security, social wellbeing and environmental sustainability;
- Infrastructure resources should be focussed in areas where Australia is, or has the potential to be, world-class (in both discovery and application driven research) and provide international leadership;
- Major infrastructure should be developed on a collaborative, national, non-exclusive basis. Infrastructure funded through NCRIS should serve the research and innovation system broadly, not just the host/funded institutions. Funding and eligibility rules should encourage collaboration and co-investment. It should not be the function of NCRIS to support institutional level (or even small-scale collaborative) infrastructure;
- Access is a critical issue in the drive to optimise Australia’s research infrastructure. In terms of NCRIS funding there should be as few barriers as possible to accessing major infrastructure for those undertaking meritorious research;
- Due regard be given to the whole-of-life costs of major infrastructure, with funding available for operational costs where appropriate; and
- The Strategy should seek to enable the fuller participation of Australian researchers in the international research system.
What is the NCRIS Roadmap?
The NCRIS Roadmap identifies priority areas for NCRIS investment. It was developed by the NCRIS Committee following an extensive consultation process. The Roadmap was announced by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP in February 2006.
How are Investment Plans developed?
Investment Plans are developed by a Facilitator working in close consultation with the relevant research community, in accordance with the criteria set out in the NCRIS Investment Framework 
(114.7 KB). The NCRIS Committee makes funding recommendations to the Minister based on its consideration of Investment Plans.
What is the role of Facilitators?
Facilitators work with the relevant research community to develop an Investment Plan and submit the Investment Plan to the NCRIS Committee. Each facilitator:
- liaises with stakeholders;
- provides document details of existing research infrastructure;
- identifies ‘platforms for collaboration’ needs;
- liaises with other facilitators to share information and identify linkages across Investment Plans;
- maintains an ongoing dialogue with relevant NCRIS Committee members and DEST officials; and
- develops a proposed Investment Plan for the consideration of the NCRIS Committee.
Facilitators must be external to DEST and report to the NCRIS Committee.
How are Facilitators identified?
Facilitators are identified by the NCRIS Committee through extensive discussions with the relevant research community and other key stakeholders (eg State and Territory Governments). Factors taken into account in the identification of Facilitators are that they:
- are well-known and connected in their respective fields and recognised as being an ‘honest broker’; and
- have the organisational, communication and negotiation skills required to broker the development of an effective Investment Plan.
Is an application for funding required?
No. NCRIS is not a traditional competitive programme involving a call for applications.
Who can be involved in the development and implementation of an Investment Plan?
Given the opportunity presented by NCRIS and the development of Investment Plans to increase collaboration and networking, the range of organisations that can participate in an Investment Plan is broad and includes:
- higher education institutions;
- Australian Government and State and Territory research agencies and institutions;
- independent research institutions;
- private sector research organisations; and
- industry.
What should an Investment Plan include?
Each Investment Plan is required to set out:
- how the proposed facilities will result in excellent research infrastructure that best meets the needs of researchers across Australia;
- the access and pricing regimes for the facilities;
- the ownership and management arrangements for the facilities;
- how the facilities will interact with the ‘platforms for collaboration’ that will also be developed under NCRIS;
- proposals for co-investment; and
- an implementation strategy and business plan.
For further information on the NCRIS Committee, and the history of NCRIS, please refer to the NCRIS homepage.
The NCRIS Investment Framework (114.7 KB) explains how NCRIS is to be implemented in more detail.
You can contact the NCRIS Secretariat through to the NCRIS mailbox.