The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be a next-generation radio telescope up to 100 times as sensitive as the best present-day instruments. It will give astronomers remarkable insights into the formation of the early Universe, including the emergence of the first stars, galaxies and other structures. Australia has been short-listed as one of two possible sites for the SKA by an international consortium representing 17 countries worldwide.
Being one of the largest and most ambitious scientific projects of the 21st Century, the SKA will incorporate cutting-edge technological developments in computing, communications and radio frequency devices. DEST is working in partnership with CSIRO and the Western Australian Government to develop the Australian SKA project (AuSKA) at a remote site in the Mid West of WA.
For more information, visit the SKA Australia (AuSKA) website.
A
science bilateral (Australia-China) website 
has been developed by DEST to assist Australian researchers collaborate with their Chinese counterparts. The Governments of Australia and China recognise the importance of bilateral scientific collaboration to the research community. The new website aims to enhance links between researchers by providing a range of useful information on funding opportunities, Chinese institutions and current news and events.
The
Science Connections Program (SCOPE) has the objectives of raising community awareness of the important contribution science and technology make to Australia's sustainable economic growth and social well-being, and of encouraging students to consider continuing with science studies into senior secondary school and beyond. Funded through to 2010-11 under
Backing Australia’s Ability – Building our Future Through Science and Innovation 
SCOPE supports a range of activities including the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science, National Science Week, ABC Science on-line, the Australian Science and Mathematics Olympiads, the Science and Engineering Challenge and EngQuest.
The
International Science Linkages program supports Australian scientists, from both the public and private sectors, to collaborate with international partners on leading edge science and technology in order to contribute to Australia’s economic, social and environmental wellbeing.
The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program fosters innovation by promoting long-term strategic links and collaborations between researchers, industry and government. The Program brings together Australia’s geographically and institutionally dispersed scientific and technological resources for the benefit of innovation, industries and the national economy.
Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has announced a review of the National Innovation System (NIS), incorporating a review of the CRC Program . The CRC Program review highlights the Government’s commitment to science and innovation and will identify areas to further promote and encourage investment and collaboration between research and industry.
The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) is Australia’s largest bilateral research fund and provides $20 million of funding over five years from FY 2006/07 for collaborative research projects. The AISRF assists Australian researchers to increase their participation in leading edge scientific research with Indian counterparts, to raise the profile of Australian research, and to support the development of strategic alliances between Australian and Indian researchers.