Australia

• National/local governments
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
  • Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
  • Australian Research Council (ARC)
• Private funding/foundations/charity groups
  • Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia (ORIA)
  • Retina Australia
  • Macular Disease Foundation Australia
  • Glaucoma Australia
• Industry/pharmaceutical companies
  • Glaukos
  • Bayer
  • Roche
  • Apellis

The funding for major research projects comes from NHMRC and, to a lesser extent, the ARC. These are extremely competitive and are based on the scientific quality of the project, its feasibility and the track record of the team. The decisions are made by expert panels that have broader bases than larger countries - there are no pure ophthalmic/vision science panels. Applications are by invitation only and are once a year.

• The Australian Society for Medical Research
• Macular Disease Foundation Australia
• Glaucoma Australia
• Retina Australia
• Diabetes Australia

 Organizations that advocate for medical research include:

• Science and Technology Australia
• Australasian Neuroscience Society
• Macular Disease Foundation
• Australian Vision Research

• Through membership of the above-mentioned societies.         
• Vision 2020 organizes an annual Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care dinner.
• Scientists can contact their own members of parliament.

Generally, these are made annually. 

Can scientists invite decision-makers to their lab/institution to see their work firsthand?
Yes.

Do the funding/policy organizations hold open meetings or solicit comments from the public that researchers can participate in?
The NHMRC has a 15-member Community and Consumer Advisory Group of consumer and community leaders in Australia.