Media Release
Backing Australia's Ability - Funding for Research Priorities
Announced
29 January, 2002
MIN 06/02
I am pleased to announce research priority areas for the Australian
Research Council’s (ARC’s) 2003 funding round under the National
Competitive Grants Program.
Last year, the Prime Minister released the Government’s $3 billion
Innovation Action Plan, Backing Australia’s Ability, including an
additional $736.4 million over 5 years to double funding for ARC
competitive grants. Backing Australia’s Ability flagged the need
for an emphasis on research in which Australia enjoys or wants to build
competitive advantage.
Extensive expert consultations have informed the Government’s
decision to focus the ARC’s 2003 National Competitive Grants Programme
on four priority research areas:
A total of 33 per cent of ARC funding in the 2003 round will be
targeted to these priority areas, to support project grants and centres
for up to five years at a total cost of approximately $170 million.
This funding will enable Australia to focus its research effort on
particular areas in which we have world class, leading edge
capabilities.
The nominated areas have been identified as fields of existing and
emerging research strength in which Australia can achieve international
leadership. Most importantly, they have the potential to deliver
significant economic and social benefits to the Australian community.
The priority research areas have been adopted on the advice of a
working group of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and
Innovation Council following deliberations of the ARC’s own Expert
Advisory Committees and the ARC Board.
Priority areas will be funded through the establishment of new
Centres of Excellence concentrating teams of researchers in these areas,
and through the ARC’s Discovery and Linkage grants to outstanding
individual researchers. Funding for grants and centres will be guided by
factors including research excellence, potential national benefit and
capacity to build scale, focus and critical mass in these areas.
This is another step in the Government’s efforts to obtain a better
return on Australia’s science investment. The Government will soon
announce details of a process to be undertaken during 2002 to finalise
priorities across the national research effort, including for major
Commonwealth research agencies. This process will form an important part
of the Government’s efforts to strengthen the national innovation
system.
| Dr Nelson’s Office: |
Ross Hampton |
0419 484 095 |
| DEST: |
Jane Smith |
0412 973 411 |
Summary of ARC research priorities
Nano-materials and Bio-materials
Nano-scale assemblies of atoms and molecules have properties totally
unlike those of bulk materials. Research on them will lead to advances
in computing, chemical processing, molecular motors, implantable sensors
and many other areas. Bio-materials, either natural or artificial, are
particularly important for agricultural production and human health.
Research will lead to new biosensors, tissue reconstruction procedures
and new forms of energy conversion and environmental management based on
biological systems.
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The Genome-Phenome Link
The complete description of the human genome and those of other
organisms has been a major achievement of modern science. Although
molecular biologists have been very successful in identifying and
manipulating genes, the control of gene expression and the interactions
of gene products which lead ultimately to the expression of a unique
phenotype are poorly understood. Research in this area will contribute
to the development of gene therapies and the genetic improvement of
plants and animals of agricultural importance by gene transfer which may
lead, among other things, to the eradication of inherited disease and to
a solution to the world’s food problems.
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Complex systems
Real-world systems are almost always made up from a large number of
interacting components. This lead to complex behaviour that is difficult
to understand, predict and manage. Research on complex systems is often
undertaken by mathematicians, statisticians, engineers, and information
and computer scientists. It will contribute to improvements in areas
such as the internet, air traffic and transport control, power systems,
robotics, irrigation and land management, defence, manufacturing and
finance, as well as ecology and biology.
[top]
Photon Science and Technology
Light, X-rays and radio waves are examples of different forms of
photons. Australian research in photon sciences leads the world in areas
such as solar energy conversion, optical instrumentation for telescopes
and optical communication components. Better lasers for medical and
industrial applications, new optical fibres for improved communications,
and exciting new forms of visual arts are among the expected outcomes of
intensified research in photon science and technology.
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