HCF RESEARCH FOUNDATION YEAR IN REVIEW 2025 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
For 25 years, the HCF Research Foundation has been Australia’s largest non-government funder of health services research. We support real-world solutions that improve healthcare delivery, inform policy and benefit HCF members and all Australians.
The Foundation has had another successful year of investing in research that creates positive impact on the healthcare system. As we reflect on our achievements of the past year, we also look ahead to the future with ambition and excitement.
The 2025 financial year began with the HCF Research Foundation hosting a stakeholder workshop on short-stay joint replacement surgeries. Over 60 experts came together to discuss the adoption of proven international models within the Australian healthcare system. The thought-provoking presentations led to some productive discussions, and I extend my gratitude to everyone who attended and contributed to our shared health services goals.
The workshop reflects our ongoing commitment to translating research outcomes into clinical practice changes – a key pillar of our research strategy adopted in 2021. This year we undertook a comprehensive review of the strategy. Our Directors are pleased with our significant progress, including demonstrable positive impacts for patients and healthcare professionals across all funding streams.
On behalf of the Foundation, I would like to thank the HCF Research Foundation Board, Research Advisory Committee, our researchers and peer reviewers for their contributions over the past year. I also want to extend special thanks to Sheena Jack who stepped down from the Foundation Board upon her retirement. Sheena made outstanding contributions as a Director of the Foundation from 2017 to 2025 and we remain incredibly grateful for her dedicated service.
Finally, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we have a series of commemorative events planned. These sessions will provide a fantastic opportunity for our network to reflect on its achievements while looking toward the future of health services research across the country.
Professor Claire Jackson AM
Chair, HCF Research Foundation
Board of directors
Full information and bios of our HCF Foundation Board of Directors.
History of the Foundation
The HCF Research Foundation was established in 2000 as The HCF Health and Medical Research Foundation to fund health and medical research for the benefit of all Australians. In 2008 the focus was moved towards health services research, an area of research which does not receive large funding dollars from other sources. In 2013 the name was simplified to HCF Research Foundation and in 2015 a Corporate Trustee was established to manage the Foundation’s affairs. The HCF Research Foundation was originally established with a donation from The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF). While HCF has donated money, the HCF Research Foundation operates independently and with specific focus on funding health services research that can benefit all 27 million Australians.
Health services research examines how people get access to health care, how much health care costs, and what happens to patients as a result of this care. The objectives of the HCF Research Foundation’s health services research program are to improve the prevention, treatment and cure of diseases in the general community by funding research and study proposals that enhance and utilise current knowledge to improve health and health services; and improve the quality, efficiency, access to and equity of provision of health services.
The HCF Research Foundation’s research program therefore addresses the main dimensions of the health system that are of concern to HCF, the HCF Research Foundation and the community at large: achieving better health outcomes and access to affordable, high quality health care when and where needed.
Mission & vision
OUR MISSION
The HCF Research Foundation’s mission is to improve the delivery of health services in Australia for the benefit of all Australians. We do this by funding research projects that focus on new ways to provide high quality care to improve patient outcomes.
OUR VISION
To be known as a leading independent funder of high quality research that leads to the improvement of health care services for all Australians.
To facilitate easy-to-access funding so researchers can focus their efforts on delivering the benefits of their research projects.
To drive more research by providing transparent and fair funding opportunities for all Australian researchers, institutions and organisations.
Donations
HCF funded the corpus of the Foundation by donation from the net surplus of the health fund. Since the Foundation’s inception, HCF has made contributions to the Foundation of $55 million.
Year in Review
Our recent projects and research outcomes in the HCF Research Foundation Year in Review.
