The aim was to allow researchers "to identify, locate, access and analyse any available research data", by transforming the large number of scattered and disparate collections around Australia into a cohesive and accessible body of resources,[1] with the importance of eResearch Infrastructure to Australian future research competitiveness emphasised as a prime reason.

[2] Funding was provided through the Australian Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), as part of a funding agreement between the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) and Monash University in September 2008.

[8] The National Collaboration Tools and Resources project, or Nectar, was established in 2009 by the Australian Government with a A$47 million budget, as part of the "Super Science" initiative, financed by the Education Investment Fund (EIF).

Since then it has received more government funding, as well as a similar investment by Australian universities and research institutions.

[10] The three organisations created an aligned set of investments and business plans in 2017/8 in order to integrate their work in line with the 2016 National Research Infrastructure (NCRIS) Roadmap, created for the Department of Education and Training.