 |
Media Release
$40 MILLION FOR SCIENCE AND RESEARCH NETWORKS
12 December 2003, MIN 563/03
I am pleased to announce details of the Australian Research Council’s new $37.5 million Research Networks program.
In addition, $2.5 million will be allocated to 147 seed funding projects, which brings together more than 3800 participants from 67 Australian institutions to develop networked research proposals.
Science is a collaborative enterprise. In Australia today around 90% of research publications are authored by more than one researcher, up from around 70% twenty years ago and around 35% of Australian research publications involve international collaboration, up from just over 10% twenty years ago.
To drive the best outcomes for Australian research, it is imperative to support our researchers to break-down the ‘tyranny of distance’ and to build new linkages across countries, organisations and disciplines.
Focusing on people rather than institutional structures, the ARC Research Networks will foreshadow where new centres of research may be emerging in Australia. They will:
- foster genuinely broad, innovative research networks in emerging areas;
- target the Government’s National Research Priorities, announced last year by the Prime Minister;
- encourage younger researchers to take an active role in shaping the future direction of competitive areas of research; and
- break down communication barriers, not just across disciplines, but also between universities, government and non government research agencies and professional organisations.
The program will also build up global connectivity between Australian researchers and top international researchers, raising the profile of Australian research and exposing Australian researchers to the latest developments in emerging areas of research internationally.
Funding for ARC Research Networks is provided through the Australian Government’s $3 billion Innovation Action Plan, Backing Australia’s Ability. Networks will receive funding over a range of levels, up to $500,000 each year over 5 years, commencing in mid 2004.
Information about the ARC Research Networks, for which applications will be open soon, are available through the ARC's website at http://www.arc.gov.au
Media Contact:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
Australian Research Council: Helen Cooper 0412 113 868
|
