In 2026, we are pleased to share Australia’s top stroke research priorities. These priorities were shaped through a two‑year national project led by the Stroke Trials CRE and Stroke Foundation, in partnership with leading Australian researchers and people with lived experience of stroke.
More than 300 people took part in the project – including survivors of stroke, family members, carers, clinicians and researchers. Their insights and experiences helped identify the areas where research is most urgently needed in Australia.
The priorities focus on three key areas:
- Prevention
- Early Treatment
- Rehabilitation and Life After Stroke
Each priority reflects real needs and real experiences from people affected by stroke. Together, they create a clear picture of where future research can make the greatest difference.
These priorities will guide future research funding schemes, inform research planning, and support advocacy efforts to increase investment in stroke research across Australia.
National Stroke Research Priorities – Ranked Lists
| Ranked Priority (1 = most important) | Prevention | Early Treatment | Rehabilitation and Life After Stroke |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Early recognition of medical conditions (e.g. atrial fibrillation) that could lead to first stroke | Better recognition and diagnosis of stroke and TIA so people get to hospital and receive early treatments faster | Best approaches to recognise, treat and manage post-stroke fatigue |
| 2 | Finding and treating what causes unexplained strokes | New treatments to protect the brain from damage in both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke | Best ways to support mental health and wellbeing post-stroke |
| 3 | Understanding roles of, and how to address, genetic, social and environmental risk factors in stroke | Understanding how the body and brain recover from stroke to find better tests and treatments | Best approaches to recognise and improve communication difficulties caused by stroke |
| 4 | Ways to live healthier to prevent stroke (physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol) | Best ways to treat ischaemic stroke | Best approaches to support people with problems with memory, thinking or perception, and to prevent post-stroke dementia |
| 5 | Government policies to lower stroke risk | Best ways to treat haemorrhagic stroke | Best therapies and/or devices to improve walking ability and/or arm movement after stroke |
| 6 | Medicines, devices, surgery and healthcare to prevent first stroke | Prevention, treatment and management of complications during hospital care | Walking and/or arm movement after stroke |
| 7 | Best ways to prevent, treat and manage pain caused by stroke, including shoulder pain and central post-stroke pain | ||
| 8 | Understand how post-stroke inflammation and immune system response affects recovery, and best ways to prevent and treat this |