Collaborating for research excellence

Improving Australia’s mining industry, accelerating canola breeding and reforming healthcare are just some of the research outcomes identified through 251 new collaborative research projects that will inspire innovation. The projects, totalling more than $88 million, were announced today by Minister for Education, the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, and have been awarded through the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme. Mr Pyne said collaboration and co-investment in quality research was fundamental to a prosperous future. “It is critical we have opportunities for our researchers to work together with industry and business, who hold the knowledge and are often the end-users or commercialisers of the innovations that flow from research.” A total of 415 partner organisations will be involved in the 251 projects, and have pledged an extra $169.8 million (cash and in-kind). This represents $1.93 from partner organisations for every dollar funded through the ARC. Some of the projects include: · $630 000 for researchers at The University of Queensland, who will work in partnership with Bayer BioScience, to look at ways to improve canola crops using novel genomic tools · $330 000 will be used by researchers at The University of South Australia, who will partner with BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd to find a solution to the environmental issue of sulphide oxidisation of mining waste · $499 000 will fund research at Monash University, who will partner with the Victorian Department of Health and numerous other health services, to help ensure investments in redesign and innovation have ‘whole system’ economic and healthcare benefits. A breakdown of funded projects per state and university is attached. For information on all 251 Linkage Projects—including those examples mentioned above—visit the ARC website or view the Linkage Projects 2014 funding outcomes. 27 June 2014