The National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Research Impact Track Record Assessment (RITRA) framework requires researchers to report on past research impacts in their applications for Investigator and Synergy Grants and requires peer reviewers to assess and score these reported impacts. 

Implementation of this framework is intended to provide an incentive for researchers to consider future impact when planning and conducting research, ideally leading to an increase in the translation of NHMRC-funded research and improved public health.

This report describes the results of a process evaluation that sought to determine whether the RITRA framework has been implemented as intended. Using stakeholder surveys, quantitative analysis, a literature review and consultation with Members of NHMRC’s Health Research Impact Committee (HRIC) Principal Committee, the evaluation found that while the RITRA framework was implemented as planned, several challenges emerged. 

Based on these findings the report recommended:

• Streamlining the impact section by merging its components.
• Add a free-text field for citing evidence of impact.
• Shift focus from retrospective impact to pathways to impact and engagement with end users.
• Revise category descriptors using cognitive interviews to ensure shared understanding. An expert working group was formed to co-design improvements to the RITRA framework.

These updates were first piloted by the Investigator Grant scheme in the 2025 funding round. Further updates are expected to be implemented from the Investigator Grants 2026 funding round, following a public consultation.