An evaluation of NHMRC-funded dementia and diabetes research

This report delves into the outputs, outcomes, and pathways to impact arising from NHMRC-supported research in the areas of dementia and diabetes.

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As of 2025, it is estimated that approximately 433,300 Australians are living with dementia.

This number is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades. Additionally, an estimated 1.7 million Australians are involved in the care of someone living with dementia.

Diabetes affects an even larger portion of the population. In 2022, approximately 1.3 million Australians were living with diabetes, which equates to roughly 5.3% of the population.

These statistics highlight the significant impact of both dementia and diabetes on the Australian population, and research can play a vital role in improving the understanding, detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatments of these diseases. As the Australian Government’s key entity for managing investment in health and medical research, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) plays an important role in this task.

Introduction

An evaluation of NHMRC-funded dementia and diabetes research delves into the outputs, outcomes, and pathways to impact arising from NHMRC-supported research in the areas of dementia and diabetes by analysing data captured by Scopus-indexed publications. It employs AI-driven analytics and narrative techniques combined with novel bibliometric methods to identify impacts or pathways to impact. The report also benchmarks NHMRC's contributions against major international funders, offering insights from 2000 to 2023.

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Research impact

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Novel approach combining next-gen bibliometrics and generative AI identified 17 cases of economic, environmental, or health impacts.
NHMRC knowledge impacts drive innovation in cutting-edge fields like AI-enhanced brain imaging, bioengineering, and gene editing.
Preliminary findings using a bibliometric/LLM approach highlight NHMRC’s role in advancing cost-effective interventions that enhance well-being or prevent disease.
Impact case studies showcase NHMRC’s contributions across dementia and diabetes domains.
NHMRC-backed prevention programs help diabetes patients achieve lifestyle changes.

Research outcomes

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9% of dementia and 15% of diabetes publications were cited in policy documents, surpassing global comparators.
4% of dementia and 8% of diabetes publications were cited in clinical guidelines. This corresponds to 153 clinical trials for dementia and 216 for diabetes.
NHMRC has contributed to 44 commercialised or trademarked dementia interventions and 101 commercialised or trademarked diabetes interventions.
13 dementia and diabetes Australian startups have benefited from NHMRC funding.

Research outputs

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NHMRC-supported research demonstrated strong publication outputs in dementia (3.0% of NHMRC publication output) and diabetes (4.2% of NHMRC publication output), more than 2 times the global average.
NHMRC-supported research has contributed to 445 distinct dementia interventions and 490 diabetes interventions since 2000.
15.5% of NHMRC diabetes papers shared their data, compared to 12.9% for funders worldwide.
There are more than 1,000 patent families citing NHMRC diabetes and dementia research.

Impacts from health and medical research can be important and far-reaching in improving the health and well-being of the Australian community. This report is a testament to the vital role that NHMRC-funded research plays in addressing some of the most pressing and complex health challenges. By evaluating the impact of our research, we can ensure that our efforts are making a meaningful difference in the lives of many and helping us achieve our mission of building a healthy Australia.

PSW

Professor Steve Wesselingh

Chief Executive Officer at National Health and Medical Research Council

Key takeaways for funders

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The analysis suggests key opportunities for research funders to improve impact assessment and support mechanisms:

Create and maintain internal research repositories covering all research outputs.
Leverage AI and big data while ensuring high-quality curation of outcomes and impact records, enabling granular qualitative insights.
Develop policies fostering societal impact through diversity and inter-sectoral collaboration.
Support data sharing and open science through funding mechanisms.
Balance traditional excellence metrics with broader impact measures, including policy and clinical uptake.

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Key takeaways for academic leaders and researchers

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Research excellence and impact remain high priorities for NHMRC funding. Academic leaders and researchers should consider:

Prioritising both research excellence and translation pathways to maximise impact
Strengthening data-sharing practices and open science initiatives
Building interdisciplinary collaborations and industry partnerships
Focusing on policy and clinical impact alongside traditional academic metrics
Developing clear pathways for research commercialisation and implementation

Tips for publishing impact(opens in new tab/window)

This report is a strategic collaboration between NHMRC and Elsevier that leverages advanced data analytics to provide a comprehensive evaluation of research impact, ensuring that the invaluable contributions of NHMRC-funded projects are recognised and utilised to drive further innovation in dementia and diabetes care. The insights gained from this report not only enhance our understanding of these diseases but also serve as a crucial resource for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers worldwide. Credit for the execution of this complex project goes to our amazing Analytical Services team, in particular to Etienne Vignola-Gagné, who acted as technical leader.

Luigi Rucco

Head of Analytical Services at Elsevier

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