What we do

JMI helps drive effective policy outcomes in all areas. Our work is specifically designed to support Australian policymakers in a rapidly evolving policy landscape, harnessing leading university expertise to develop practical, evidence-based solutions.

A new era of public policy in Australia

JMI is a formal partner of the NSW Government and a coalition of universities dedicated to public benefit research. An independent, non-partisan charity, we work closely with government decision-makers in tackling some of Australia’s most pressing challenges. From housing to the transition to a Net Zero economy, tertiary education and child protection reforms, we facilitate better collaboration between government and universities for the public good.

Government Policy Projects

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Policy Grants and Fellowships

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JMI Futures: Policy Capacity-building

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Engagement and Partnerships

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Explore our 2030 Strategy

Our 2030 Strategy sets out an ambitious vision for the Institute, building on its success to date.
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Government Policy Projects

Our Government Policy Projects are designed to address complex, multidimensional public policy challenges. These unique projects facilitate collaboration between policymakers, leading university researchers and practitioners from community and industry to outline pragmatic policy opportunities for government. We regularly undertake rapid response projects to meet time-sensitive needs of government. Guided by our Impact Framework, we employ a rigorous approach to capturing the impact of our work. Regular impact stories illustrate the tangible effects of our efforts.

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Collaborate with us

Our projects are initiated by government, for government. Get in touch to find out what projects are in the pipeline to see if your area of expertise aligns with our current activity, or to discuss partnering with us on a project.
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Policy Grants and Fellowships

Policy Challenge Grants

The Institute’s prestigious Policy Challenge Grant program supports innovative, policy-focused research addressing pressing policy challenges. Through a rigorous selection process, grants are awarded to outstanding academics undertaking applied policy research, or translating existing research for a policy audience. These projects aim to generate new insights, foster collaboration between university researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders, and ultimately drive policy outcomes that improve lives. Our staff support grant winners throughout the lifecycle of their project, to facilitate engagement with government to ensure practical application through later editorial stages.

The 2025 grant round is open from 12 March – 2 May 2025.

Learn more about eligibility for the 2025 grant round here.

View previous grants

Policy Fellowships

Our Policy Fellowship program provides opportunities for both public servants and academic researchers to pursue independent, impactful policy research. These fellowships provide qualified public servants or researchers to engage in in-depth policy research. All Policy Fellows analyse significant policy challenges and propose bold, practical solutions for public policy development, alongside Institute staff who help to make connections between topic areas and different sectors.

Public service stream: Fellowships are considered on a rolling basis.

Academic stream: Fellowships are advertised directly by our university partners.

Public service stream: Public servants working for the NSW Government

Academic stream: University researchers from JMI’s university partners

View previous fellowships

JMI Futures: Policy Capacity-building

JMI Futures works at the interface of policy, evidence and practice to drive new opportunities for capability-building and uplift for established and emerging policy experts. These practitioner-centred programs aim to enhance skills and knowledge exchange around best practice in contemporary policymaking.

The program in numbers

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Get involved

If you or your organisation is interested in getting involved in capability-building for contemporary policymaking or wish to learn more, contact us.
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Engagement and Partnerships

JMI runs an extensive program of external engagement activities for public policy professionals and the broader Australian public, featuring a range of initiatives such as interactive conferences, roundtables, webinars, and our digital thought leadership publication, The Policymaker. We provide a platform for those in government, universities, industry and civil society to problem-solve and share best practice. JMI engages in international peer networks, regularly welcoming global experts to learn about the Australian policy environment.

Our flagship event, The Policymaker Summit, is an annual gathering of public policy professionals focused on tackling the most pressing challenges facing policymakers today. It brings together experts from government, academia, industry, and civil society to discuss and develop practical solutions. The Summit provides a key platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and shaping the future of public policy in Australia.

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If you would like to partner with us on The Policymaker Summit or another event, contact us.
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