About
Under Indigenous Governance, NCIG conducts research and other activities to build and maintain a genome resource for the research community.
The NCIG Collection is a unique and invaluable resource comprising more than 7,000 blood samples, a rich archive of historical documents, consultation and survey findings and genomic data accumulated over more than 60 years of research.
In 2011, The Australian National University entrusted the future of this collection to an Indigenous consultative committee and committed to follow its recommendations. Recognising the collection’s cultural, historical and scientific significance, the committee advised establishing a dedicated centre to manage the collection and ensure it is used in ways that benefit Indigenous Australians. These recommendations were accepted in full, leading to the creation of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG) in 2013 under an Indigenous-led governance board. At NCIG, Indigenous leadership is not symbolic. It is central. Our Indigenous-majority board and governance structure embed Indigenous leadership in decisions about Indigenous data and its use. Read more about our origin and our unique governance structure.
From its inception, NCIG began developing the infrastructure needed to care for the collection including biobank management software for the biological samples and a digital archive system for the historical materials. This work continues to evolve.
At the heart of NCIG’s work is a commitment to manage the Collection in a way that honours the wishes of its donors and reflects the values and priorities of Indigenous communities. We co-design ethical, respectful and useful field protocols and resources for the collection, consent and use of DNA for research in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia. Through nationally recognised community engagement and governance processes, NCIG brings this philosophy to life, supporting ethical research while contributing to meaningful advances in medicine and genomics. Read more about our national leadership in community engagement.
Welcome to NCIG, a national centre for ethical, community-led Indigenous genomic research that honours culture, builds trust and advances science through respectful collaboration.
The National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG) is led by an Indigenous-majority Board, ensuring Indigenous control over the NCIG Collection of biospecimens. Protected by the 2021 Statute, the Board oversees ethical use, community engagement, research access, and governance policies, ensuring transparency and benefit for Indigenous communities nationally and internationally.
NCIG’s Ethics Protocol governs internal research and access to its Collection, ensuring Indigenous oversight, community-aligned ethics, and continuous improvement under NCIG's governance.
The NCIG annual report details stewardship of Indigenous genomic resources, community engagement and Indigenous-led governance. It highlights research impact, ethical practices, partnerships and strategic progress at ANU, ensuring the Collection benefits Indigenous communities.