AusRISE is an ambitious workforce development pilot program that aims to strengthen Australia’s life science research infrastructure (RI) ecosystem.
EMBL Australia has secured $2m seed funding from the 2025 NCRIS funding round to develop and deliver AusRISE. AusRISE aims to attract, train and retain talent across different career stages, with the aim to build a globally connected workforce capable of driving technological innovation, advancing digital and data-intensive research, and responding to societal challenges.
Why AusRISE?
Australia’s national research infrastructure relies on highly skilled scientists, engineers, data specialists and technical experts. Yet despite repeated calls in successive NCRIS Roadmaps for workforce development, career pathways and training frameworks have remained fragmented.
Modelled on EMBL’s highly successful ARISE program (Horizon Europe MSCA No 945405), AusRISE addresses this gap by establishing a structured, national talent pipeline – from PhD students to senior research infrastructure leaders.
The program aims to bring together universities, NCRIS capabilities, industry partners and leading European research infrastructures to create a globally connected, future‑ready workforce.
Program Streams
AusRISE fellowships and training support participants across three RI-career stages:
AusRISE Next Gen
Developing Australia’s Future RI Specialists
A two‑week annual training program for PhD students across health, life sciences and digital/data fields. Participants build cross‑disciplinary skills, visit NRI facilities and join a national cohort of emerging technology specialists.
Features include:
- Core modules on digital technologies, research methods and cross‑domain infrastructure
- Training delivered by Australian and international experts
- Site visits and networking with NCRIS facilities and industry
- Foundations for long‑term RI career pathways
AusRISE Fellows
Accelerating emerging RI talent
A one‑year fellowship for early‑ and mid-career specialists (scientists, engineers, data experts, technicians). Fellows will be embedded in Australian institutions and develop or optimise an innovative technology or method for RI while completing a structured training program.
Fellowships include:
- Training modules adapted from EMBL’s ARISE program
- Training visit to EMBL in Europe
- Tailored mentoring and integration into the NCRIS community
- Support for external training and collaboration
Example training module themes:
- Technology development & optimisation
- Digital and data‑intensive methods
- User and service management
- Quality, reproducibility & standards
- Sustainability and operational excellence
AusRISE Leaders
Connecting Australia’s RI leaders
An international leadership program for senior RI specialists seeking to grow strategic, and international engagement capabilities.
Participants will take part in a biennial Australia-Europe RI leadership forum and visit a leading international research infrastructure for knowledge exchange.
The program aims to strengthen global connections, build cross‑sector mobility, and foster shared approaches to technology, service delivery and innovation.
Industry & International Partnerships
AusRISE is deeply collaborative by design, leveraging partners across academia, industry and European RIs.
Partnerships unlock knowledge exchange, placements, co‑delivery of training modules and pathways for technology uptake.