COVID has demonstrated unequivocally the value of medical research. In turn, the pandemic has also exposed some of the underlying fragility of our research infrastructure, and caused significant dislocation to established research programs and activity. As we emerge out of the pandemic, the economic value health and medical and innovation research offers Australia should not be underestimated. Real economic stimulation and skills and jobs growth are significant opportunities across the health and medical research pipeline. Research Australia has been working with our members to closely examine how we tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic. Together, we can emerge with a stronger health and medical research sector capable of delivering better health and more wealth for Australians.