[ASA] National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Exposure Draft

[James Murray (AAL)]

Dear colleagues,

This email is to advise you that the National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Exposure Draft<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/sjhWCZY1NqixyPzMyizfVAsB_cbr?domain=us3.mailchimp.com> is now available for review. Consultation on the exposure draft will remain open until Monday, 26 October.

The NRI Roadmap is refreshed every five years and serves as a guide for government investment in research infrastructure including the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), which is a significant source of funding allocated by Astronomy Australia Ltd in support of astronomy. The Exposure Draft has been informed by input from several consultation processes, and has taken into account a number of submissions prepared by AAL over the last two years. We are endeavouring to prepare a coordinated response from across the astronomy community.

The draft outlines a range of considerations for Australia’s future investment in NRI. We recommend reading through the whole exposure draft, but key points of relevance for astronomy include:

  *   The need for improved coordination of services, governance models, planning, prioritisation access pathways and institutional arrangements.
  *   Broad agreement for a greater focus on research translation, including improving industry engagement with and use of research infrastructure.
  *   International collaboration is recognised as a critical tool for Australia to access sophisticated instrumentation and expertise.
  *   Recognition that Australia needs to identify which capabilities require sovereign or assured access, and where we should continue to work with partners to access the world's leading infrastructure.

Our early assessment is that there is an opportunity for the astronomy community to provide input on some elements of the draft Roadmap relating to how astronomy interfaces with the research infrastructure workforce, digital research infrastructure, fabrication, observation, and measurement. There is also an opportunity to identify how astronomy infrastructure and expertise can support the capability needs of other disciplines and thereby demonstrate greater value.

Consultation is being carried out via an online survey with 16 key questions. AAL has convened a working group to coordinate a joint astronomy response with the following members:

  *   Paul Lasky
  *   Cath Trott
  *   Sarah Brough
  *   Michele Trenti
  *   Geraint Lewis
  *   Simon Ellingsen)
  *   Sarah Caddy

You are welcome to contact us, the members above, or the AAL member representative for your institution if you would like to input into the joint submission. You are also welcome to submit your own thoughts directly to the NRI Roadmap Advisory Group using the link below.

2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Exposure Draft Consultation - Department of Education<https://consultations.education.gov.au/2026-nri-roadmap-exposure-draft>

If you have any questions, please contact me at alexander.cooke at astronomyaustralia.org.au<mailto:alexander.cooke at astronomyaustralia.org.au?subject=NRI%20Roadmap%20Exposure%20Draft&body=>.

Kind regards

Alexander Cooke
CEO, Astronomy Australia Limited

2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Exposure Draft Consultation - Department of Education<https://consultations.education.gov.au/2026-nri-roadmap-exposure-draft>

Provide your input to the 2026 NRI Roadmap Exposure Draft Consultation<https://consultations.education.gov.au/2026-nri-roadmap-exposure-draft/survey?page=1>



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