As part of the NCRIS@20 celebrations on 30 June 2026, the NCRIS@20 Symposium brought together researchers, policymakers, industry partners and NCRIS facility leaders in Canberra, with additional participation online. The event formed a key part of a national program of celebrations, complemented by satellite events held across the country.
It followed a community breakfast celebrating the people behind the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and recognising the researchers, technical specialists and professional staff whose expertise has powered Australia’s national research infrastructure over the past two decades.
Hosted at the ANU Physics Building, the symposium provided an opportunity to reflect on two decades of impact from NCRIS and to consider its future role in supporting Australia’s research and innovation system.
The program featured plenary discussions and thematic sessions showcasing the value of nationally coordinated research infrastructure in enabling world-class, interdisciplinary research. Speakers and participants highlighted the critical role NCRIS has played in fostering collaboration across government, universities and industry, and in delivering capabilities that underpin high-impact research outcomes.
Across the day, discussions focused on the importance of sustained investment in research infrastructure, the strength of the NCRIS collaborative model, and opportunities to further enhance Australia’s research capability into the future.
Phenomics Australia actively contributed to the event, taking part in discussions and sharing insights on the impact of NCRIS and its future direction alongside colleagues across the research and innovation sector.
The symposium concluded with a shared recognition of the people, partnerships and expertise that have driven NCRIS over the past 20 years, and a collective commitment to strengthening Australia’s national research infrastructure for the decades ahead.
