[ASA] Have your say on the future of Australia's national research infrastructure [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Mon Mar 3 13:16:56 AEDT 2025

Dear colleagues

The Department of Education has commenced consultation on the next National Research Infrastructure (NRI) Roadmap, which will be developed the National Research Infrastructure Advisory Group<https://www.education.gov.au/national-research-infrastructure/advisory-group>.

Research Infrastructure Roadmaps have historically been used to articulate the priority areas for investment in the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), with investments delivered via the NCRIS Capabilities. Within the astronomy community this has been delivered via Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL).

Since 2013, AAL has administered $161 million in support of the astronomy community with investments supporting Astralis, ASKAP+CASDA, HPC, MWA, ADACS, LSST, CTAO, GWDC and the Australian Gravitational Wave Observatory Initial Study.

Per the email below, the Department of Education has released a survey<https://submit.dese.gov.au/jfe/form/SV_cPkfIXxQPgAsPeC> to seek views on the current and emerging requirements that the 2026 NRI Roadmap should cover (a preview of the survey is here<https://www.education.gov.au/national-research-infrastructure/resources/roadmap-consultations-survey-preview> so you can think about your answers first). The survey will be used to guide thinking about the entire research infrastructure system in Australia (not just NCRIS activities) and its needs over the next decade. This includes research infrastructure support for astronomy and astronomy-related activities.

The survey is open until 19 March. Astronomy Australia Ltd will be completing the survey and is also happy to collate additional feedback from the community.

I also strongly encourage you to respond to the questions from your own perspective (you don't have to answer all of them!).

As you will note, a number of the questions are framed in the context of the 8 Challenge Areas identified in the 2021 Roadmap and the National Science and Research Priorities. Astronomy is included as part of an overarching Space theme in the 2021 Roadmap<https://www.education.gov.au/national-research-infrastructure/resources/2021-national-research-infrastructure-roadmap> and not mentioned explicitly in the National Science and Research Priorities. I would therefore encourage you to consider (1) how your NRI needs would align with or deliver against these Challenge Areas and/or Priorities; and (2) consider needs for new NRI capability that could only be made available through national-level investment.

The survey also calls for Industry perspectives. I would encourage you to share this survey with industries you have collaborated with and get them to respond to the questions in Part 3 in particular, so that the Department of Education and the NRIAG has a full appreciation of how investments in astronomy are valued by Australian industry.

Regards

Alex

______________________________________________________________________________

Alexander Cooke

Chief Executive Officer

Astronomy Australia Ltd

E: alexander.cooke at astronomyaustralia.org.au<mailto:katherine.hinton at astronomyaustralia.org.au>

From: Education - Research Infrastructure <ResearchInfrastructure at education.gov.au<mailto:ResearchInfrastructure at education.gov.au>>

Sent: 19 February 2025 17:05

Subject: Have your say on the future of Australia’s national research infrastructure [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Good afternoon All,

Today the Department released a survey<https://submit.dese.gov.au/jfe/form/SV_cPkfIXxQPgAsPeC> to seek views on the current and emerging requirements that the 2026 NRI Roadmap (2026 Roadmap) should cover, with a preview<https://www.education.gov.au/preview-link/node/18996/7ef674c1-3bba-4252-8c85-06e72f641a17> version available for download. The survey is open until 19 March.

As with previous Roadmaps, the 2026 Roadmap will be based on extensive consultation with the research sector, engagement with experts and stakeholders across government and industry, and informed by international trends. This survey is the first of many chances to engage with the development of the 2026 Roadmap.

For the first time, an NRI Roadmap will be developed by our existing NRI Advisory Group (NRIAG), with support from the Department of Education. The NRIAG was established in December 2022 and has provided ongoing strategic advice to Government on NRI matters, including progressing recommendations identified in the 2021 Roadmap – such as the recently released National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy.

Further information about the 2026 Roadmap and what’s planned for this year is available here<https://www.education.gov.au/national-research-infrastructure/consultations/help-shape-future-research-infrastructure-planning>

.

Your survey responses will be vital in developing the 2026 Roadmap and shaping Australia’s NRI over the next 5-10 years.

Kind regards

The National Research Infrastructure Policy Team
Research Policy and Programs Branch | Research Division
Australian Government Department of Education

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