Archived News for Research Sector Professionals - May, 2011
India and Australia will co-fund 18 collaborative projects under a multi-million dollar programme that could lead to better vaccines, more temperature tolerant crops and healthier food.
A fund of A$5 million has been granted to joint scientific ventures between India and Australia, which will be matched by India.
‘This funding will enable leading Australian and Indian scientists to combine their strengths and tackle big issues facing communities in Australia and India – such as growing healthy crops and protecting precious groundwater environments,’ Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr said.
Victorian research into ground and surface water underway
The Victorian Government has announced research currently underway into building “new insights into Victoria's surface water and groundwater resources.”
Australian researchers discover key to hydrogen energy
An international team, of scientists, led by a team at Monash University has found the key to the hydrogen economy could come from a very simple mineral, commonly seen as a black stain on rocks.
CSIRO reviews Carbon Farming Initiative
The CSIRO has published a review of the Federal Government’s proposed Carbon Farming Initiative in the organization’s ECOS magazine.
Monash researchers crack stem cell enigma
A team of Monash researchers, lead by Professor Christophe Marcelle, have successfully identified the mechanism which causes stem cells to differentiate into specialised cells that form the muscular skeletal structure of animals. The research has since been published in the British scientific journal, Nature.
International Energy Centre to open
The Universities of Queensland, Newcastle, Monash and Western Australia have committed to a joint venture in the foundation of the International Energy Centre (IEC) to be opened by 2012.
Geothermal research centre launched in Queensland
The Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence (QGECE) has been officially opened at the University of Queensland, with funding of $15 million from the Queensland Government allocated in 2007.
$200 million synchrotron in doubt
The Victorian Government has pulled funding of the state’s $200 million synchrotron, casting doubt over the future of the project.
Review of Geoscience Australia released
A review of Geoscience Australia by the Department of Finance and Deregulation has found that much of the agency’s work “amounts to a national prospectus for some of Australia's most lucrative natural resources.”
Funding for Biofuels Research Institute
As part of its commitment to establish the $20 million Australian Biofuels Research Institute, the Federal budget has provided $5 million for a foundation project at James Cook University in Townsville.
Science promotion programs amalgamated
A new program, Inspiring Australia, has been established to encourage Australians to pursue science and research in their careers, with amalgamated funding of $21 million over three years.
Square Kilometre Array bid funded
Australia’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), in partnership with New Zealand has been awarded $40.2 million over four years.
CSIRO funding steady
CSIRO has been allocated $3 billion in a new new Quadrennial Funding Agreement that will operate over the four years from 2011.
Science budget boosted
The Federal budget has provided a record $9.3 billion for science and research across all portfolios, up from $8.9 billion last year.
NFF calls for rural R&D funding commitment
The National Farmers Federation (NFF) has urged the Government to reinforce its commitment to rural research and development funding.
Tasmanian ICT Centre allocated $50 million
CSIRO, industry and the Federal and Tasmanian Governments have announced additional joint funding of $50 million for Tasmania’s peak information communications technology research body, the Tasmanian ICT Centre (TasICTC).
$10.7 million China-Australia collaboration
A $10.7 million collaborative research project to improve the energy efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells is the subject of an agreement between between the Australian National University and Chinese solar energy company Trina Solar.
ANU launches new innovation push
The Australian National University has launched a new $3 million Discovery Translational Fund (DTF) to assist innovation, research and knowledge transfer.
Victoria boosts funding for low emission energy technology innovation
The Victorian Coalition Government has increased funding for the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) by $41 million in its 2011-12 budget, announced on Tuesday.
Victorian Government sets up innovation advisory bodies
The Victorian Government has announced plans for four new agencies to advise on science, technology and sustainability, with funding totalling $7.9 million provided in the 2011-12 budget.
CSIRO staff to vote on Enterprise Agreement
CSIRO and the CSIRO Staff Association are nearing agreement on the new Enterprise Agreement, following months of negotiations and stop work meetings.