Amid a heated political debate over the future of an Indigenous inquiry, grants awarded by the Medical Research Future Fund for projects in breastfeeding and dental care for Indigenous communities have come under targeted criticism. Critics have labeled these expenditures as questionable government spending, even as advocates emphasize that these grants bolster critical services for marginalized groups.

The Medical Research Future Fund announced a 2025 grant opportunity aimed at integrating patient data into the health technology assessment process. With multiple targeted research streams covering medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and implantable devices, the initiative—administered by NHMRC on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care—aims to enhance decision-making and long-term health outcomes for Australians.

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has announced a $3.25M investment in four digital health companies to support AI-powered technologies, including systems for early detection of macular degeneration and wearable devices for maternal care. This funding aims to help these companies reach clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones domestically and internationally.

An investigation into the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) uncovered a politicized and noncompetitive grant awarding process. The report highlights how ministerial discretion was used to bypass standard protocols, with rapid, ad hoc funding decisions that raised concerns about transparency, scientific integrity, and the undue influence of political interests in research funding.

Leading scientists and early backers of the MRFF are calling for a dramatic overhaul of the fund's governance, criticizing the heavy involvement of the health minister in funding decisions, the use of noncompetitive processes, and the lack of transparency. This event highlights concerns that ministerial discretion is leading to 'captain’s picks' and compromises fair, merit-based funding.