Final report of the national research infrastructure taskforce

In recognition of the importance of infrastructure to the research efforts of Australia, the Minister for Education, Science and Training established the National Research Infrastructure Taskforce to develop a National Research Infrastructure Strategic Framework.  The Framework was to inform government investment in research infrastructure for universities and publicly funded research agencies.  The Taskforce’s approach to the development of this Framework, background to the Taskforce’s work, and current research infrastructure funding arrangements are described in this report.  The central finding arising from this report is the need to strengthen, plan and prioritise research infrastructure needs. The Framework proposes funding principles, establishment of processes to link investments in research infrastructure to research strategies and priorities, and the establishment of two bodies – a National Research Infrastructure Council and a Strategic Research Council.  It also considers other key funding issues such as how to fund research infrastructure to ensure its ongoing viability, and the issue of co-investment or leveraging of funds to appropriately share the financing of research infrastructure amongst users.  Recommendations regarding major research infrastructure funding programmes are set out, as are recommendations regarding acquisition and development of infrastructure management.

Report: download PDF    (3.2 MB, 80 pages)

Cover: download PDF    (25 KB, 1 page)

Contents, glossary: download PDF    ( 8 pages)

Summary: download PDF    (88. 3 KB, 2 pages)

Introduction: download PDF    ( 73 KB, 1 pages)

Background: download PDF    (108 KB, 2 pages)

Current research infrastructure funding arrangements: download PDF    (137 KB, 3 pages)

Framework for research infrastructure: download PDF    ( 486 KB, 10 pages)

Research infrastructure funding programmes: download PDF    (192 Kb, 5 pages)

Acquisition and development of research infrastructure: download PDF    (187 KB, 5 pages)

Charging regimes for use of research infrastructure: download PDF    (123 Kb, 3 pages)

Collaboration and access to research infrastructure: download PDF    (128 KB, 3 pages)

Management of research infrastructure: download PDF     86 Kb, 5 pages)

Other issues: download PDF    (64 KB, 1 page)

Summary of recommendations: download PDF    (146 KB, 4 pages)

Attachments a to c: downlaod PDF    (592 KB, 13 pages)

Attachments d to f: download PDF    (498 KB, 13 pages)

Bibliography: download PDF    (224 KB, 4 pages)