Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt’s big ideas for how Australia funds and uses research

A woman in a blue coat working at a desk

“We must identify the core set of sovereign research capabilities necessary for the future security and prosperity of the Australian people...This requires a whole-of-government approach,” writes Nobel laureate Professor Brian Schmidt.

In April 2023, Nobel Laureate and Vice Chancellor of The Australian National University Brian Schmidt wrote about his personal submission to the Australian Universities Accord with some big ideas. This included improving the way Australian research is funded and then translated into research.

“We must identify the core set of sovereign research capabilities necessary for the future security and prosperity of the Australian people...This requires a whole-of-government approach.”

Professor Brian Schmidt


The Hon Jason Clare, Minister for Education released the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report on the 19 Jul 2023. Read more about the Accord.