There are three categories of basic fuel cycle needs, which are being addressed by the different types of inert matrix fuel (IMF) concepts currently under development. These are: plutonium burning in existing LWRs, plutonium burning in fast reactors and minor actinide transmutation - corresponding to three distinct timescales for perceived IMF implementation, viz. short, medium and long term, respectively. The current paper, based partly on the two panel discussions organised at the 6th IMF workshop, presents viewpoints and priorities for each of the three categories of IMF applications, both in terms of the fuel concepts to be pursued and the corresponding RD requirements.