The Australian Government has announced a new Open Science Policy designed to improve access to publicly funded health and medical research and strengthen collaboration across the research sector.
The policy has been introduced by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and jointly developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Under the new policy, researchers who receive funding from the NHMRC or the MRFF are required to ensure that at least one version of every peer-reviewed research publication arising from that funding is made openly accessible immediately upon publication. The policy eliminates embargo periods and requires clear acknowledgment of funding sources and associated grant identifiers in published research.
Researchers may also meet the open access requirement by making a version of their work publicly available as a preprint through an approved online repository.
In addition to open access publishing, the policy sets expectations for broader sharing of research outputs. Researchers are encouraged to make data, methods, software, and code openly available wherever possible, in line with internationally recognized FAIR principles, which require that data be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. The policy also promotes the publication of negative or null research results, which are often not reported but can help reduce duplication and improve research efficiency.
The policy emphasizes the need for researchers to plan for open science practices from the outset of their projects, including responsible data management and sharing. At the same time, it recognizes the importance of protecting intellectual property, privacy, and sensitive information.
Specific provisions are included to respect the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. Research involving Indigenous communities or knowledge must follow appropriate governance and stewardship arrangements to ensure ethical use and data sovereignty.
According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the policy is intended to increase transparency, accelerate scientific discovery, foster collaboration across institutions and disciplines, and maximize the public benefit from government investment in health and medical research.
The new requirements will apply to Medical Research Future Fund grant opportunities opening on or after January 1, 2026. National Health and Medical Research Council–funded researchers will be required to comply beginning February 2, 2026, subject to conditions outlined in grant agreements.
The full Open Science Policy and supporting guidance are available through official Australian Government channels.
Click here to read the original press release.
