The long-term future of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute has been secured with a landmark agreement that will bolster South Australia's global health and medical research capabilities.
Under the new deal, SAHMRI and Adelaide University will unite their health and medical research capabilities, establishing one of the world’s most advanced research corridors along Adelaide’s North Terrace.
The agreement will see Adelaide University assume financial and governance control of SAHMRI, creating a more sustainable and integrated model for health and medical research in South Australia, while creating a closer alignment between the University's research strengths and SAHMRI's internationally recognised research programs.
At the same time, existing Flinders University-led research projects will transition to Flinders University over the next two years.
As part of this process, the South Australian Government and Flinders University will relinquish their membership of SAHMRI, allowing Adelaide University to become the sole governing Member under a new governance structure. SAHMRI's world-leading health and medical research programs will continue under Adelaide University's stewardship.
The Australian Bragg Centre’s work in relation to proton therapy will separate from SAHMRI to align with the SA Government while negotiations with the Commonwealth over the potential for a new national proton therapy project in the Australian Bragg Centre occur.
The Molecular Imaging Therapy and Research Unit (MITRU) will transition to SA Health, strengthening an important capability that supports imaging and nuclear medicine services across our health system.
Together, these reforms will provide long-term certainty for researchers, staff, students, funding agencies, philanthropic supporters and industry partners, as well as strengthening South Australia's capacity to attract research investment, national competitive grants and leading scientific talent.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis
I want to thank all parties involved in the collegiate and diligent way they have worked through the process towards achieving this significant agreement.
I have no doubt that what we have achieved here will significantly benefit South Australia’s research and development capability. It secures the future of one of South Australia's most important research institutions and delivers a sustainable pathway for SAHMRI to continue its world-class work
The Malinauskas Government has worked closely with Adelaide University, SAHMRI and stakeholders – particularly Flinders University - to achieve an outcome that protects research capability, supports researchers and delivers long-term stability.
The reform demonstrates our commitment to ensuring South Australia remains a national leader in health and medical research, innovation and discovery.
Importantly, this arrangement provides clear governance, a strong financial foundation and certainty for the people whose work improves health outcomes across our community.
Quotes attributable to Adelaide University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Nicola Phillips
By combining the scale of Adelaide University with SAHMRI’s excellence and agility, we will build a research powerhouse capable of tackling complex health challenges and delivering tangible research outcomes that will benefit patient care both locally and globally.
As we establish a unified health ecosystem on North Terrace, we are ensuring our state has the critical scale and competitive edge required to secure industry and government investment, attract and retain talent and stand side-by-side with the world's leading biomedical hubs.
The next chapter of discovery will be built on foundations laid by generations of South Australian researchers, and we look forward to the continued collaboration between researchers across South Australia.
Quotes attributable to SAHMRI Executive Director Professor Maria Makrides
This agreement allows our researchers to dedicate their full focus to what matters most: driving scientific discoveries that save and improve lives.
This is a momentous development for health and medical research in South Australia. This brings together two globally recognised organisations to create the scale and capability needed to deliver research that has real impact for South Australia and beyond.
This alignment ensures our teams have the robust support needed to accelerate vital research into areas like cancer precision medicine, maternal and child health, addressing health inequities for Aboriginal peoples and overcoming chronic diseases, ultimately delivering better health outcomes for our community.
Quotes attributable to Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling
Flinders remains deeply committed to health and medical research and continues to invest significantly in research capability, infrastructure and talent - including through the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and $300 million Health and Medical Research Building.
As a founding member of SAHMRI, Flinders played a significant role in establishing and developing the institute, contributing through research leadership, joint appointments, shared infrastructure and collaborative programs that have strengthened health and medical research in South Australia.
We are proud of the contribution Flinders has made to SAHMRI over more than a decade and remain supportive of the institute's future success.