Congratulations to Australia’s finest researchers
Education Minister Jason Clare congratulates every researcher, scientist and institution featured in The Australian’s 2026 Research magazine.
Australian universities punch above their weight in research. Australia is only 0.3 per cent of the world’s population, but we do 3 per cent of the world’s research – and that includes Nobel-level research.
In October, Australian Professor Richard Robson was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside two other scientists. He joins twelve other Australian Nobel Prize winners. Professor Robson’s work on metal-organic frameworks was described by the Nobel Committee as like Hermione’s handbag in Harry Potter. Novel materials that can store huge amounts of gas in a tiny volume.
What drove Professor Robson wasn’t accolades or outcomes – it was curiosity, and that curiosity has led to him receiving one of science’s highest honours. This was homegrown research, undertaken at the University of Melbourne and supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC).
The ARC awarded Professor Robson with his first grant in 1987 and has continued to support his research journey. The government continues to invest over $1 billion annually through the ARC. These investments allow our world-class universities and researchers to work on big ideas and projects.
But not only does it deliver global scientific breakthroughs, it’s also good for our economy and good for Australia. Across the government, total investment in research and development is expected to reach over $15 billion in the 2025-26 financial year.
It’s a vital part of the Australian government’s plan for a Future Made in Australia. That’s why the Australian government is investing $2.2 billion over ten years to support researchers to commercialise research, with programs such as Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA). The AEA is undertaking research in critical areas, including in defence and critical minerals.
In October, the Australian government signed a historic multibillion-dollar bilateral framework on critical minerals and rare earths with the United States of America. This is all part of the Australian government’s plan to support Australia’s economic growth and productivity.
Australians should be rightly proud to be home to some of the world’s most brilliant researchers and the most-cutting edge research.
Australia’s success in producing Nobel-level research outcomes is also a powerful example of how long-term investment in curiosity-driven research delivers global impact and scientific breakthroughs.
Congratulations to every researcher, scientist and institution featured in this year’s publication. You are continuing this rich research tradition.
Your work is adding to knowledge and changing lives. Thank you.
Jason Clare is the Federal Minister for Education.
