Australia produces world-class biomedical research, but many discoveries face barriers progressing beyond early development due to limited access to infrastructure, expertise, and early-stage funding.

Therapeutic Innovation Australia’s (TIA) Pipeline Accelerator Program, enabled by NCRIS, addresses this gap by providing coordinated access to national research infrastructure and capabilities. Since 2018, the program has supported 278 projects with co-funded access vouchers ($9.7 million), helping researchers and SMEs generate the high-quality data needed to progress towards clinical development and investment. 

This targeted support has leveraged approximately $143 million in follow-on funding , consistent with findings from the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) report that highlights the importance of coordinated infrastructure in de-risking early-stage research and attracting further investment.

The program also supports government priorities by responding to emerging needs, including dedicated rounds for COVID-19, antimicrobial resistance and clinical trial readiness. Its expansion across multiple NCRIS capabilities, including Phenomics Australia, Bioplatforms Australia and ANSTO’s National Deuteration Facility, demonstrates the strength of a coordinated national network.

By reducing barriers to access and enabling collaboration, the Pipeline Accelerator shows how NCRIS-supported infrastructure translates research into tangible health and economic outcomes for Australia.