Post by Science & Technology Australia

Twenty years ago, Australia made a decision to invest in shared national research infrastructure. Today, that decision is helping us respond to bird flu, cut shipping emissions, and restore hearing to hundreds of thousands of people. As NCRIS marks its 20th anniversary, STA is celebrating two decades of coordinated, bipartisan investment that has become the backbone of Australian science and innovation. The breadth of what NCRIS has enabled is remarkable. To name a few examples: 🦠 Biosecurity – NCRIS-supported genomics, bioinformatics and supercomputing are helping researchers rapidly analyse H5N1 virus genomes and strengthen Australia's disease surveillance capability right now. 🚢 Cleaner shipping – Long-term ocean observations from IMOS and research voyages aboard RV Investigator enabled UNSW researchers to develop AI-powered technology that helps cargo ships harness ocean currents, cutting fuel use and emissions by up to 20%. Now commercialised through Australian spin-out CounterCurrent. 👂 Cochlear implants – Cochlear has helped more than 750,000 people globally regain their hearing — with NCRIS-supported advanced microscopy and mass spectrometry (the same technology developed for rock analysis) helping researchers develop electrode technologies that make it possible. As the Australian Government considers the recommendations of the Ambitious Australia report and the next National Research Infrastructure Roadmap, NCRIS is the proof of concept we should be building on. Read more about NCRIS@20 in the comments. #NCRIS #AustralianScience #ResearchInfrastructure #Innovation #SciencePolicy