Mapping the Australian landscape for global health research

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Australia’s public sector funding for global health research, focusing on four major public agencies—NHMRC, MRFF, DFAT, and ARC—as the primary funders. It examines funding data from 2017 to 2023, following the establishment of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The report defines global health as the pursuit of health and equity for all people worldwide, with particular attention to the most vulnerable populations and the health issues that disproportionately affect them.

Commissioned by the Australian Global Health Alliance as part of a broader series mapping the global health landscape, the report was developed by the Impact Global Health team in close collaboration with the Alliance Secretariat and a dedicated steering committee. By identifying the strengths and weaknesses of current funding strategies, it highlights key opportunities where more strategic, better-directed investment could significantly enhance Australia’s global health impact.