The International Science Branch of the Department of Education, Science and Training manages bilateral and multilateral activities in scientific and technological research. These pages inform the reader about some of the various activities administered by the Branch.
The Australian Government encourages industry access to new technology through the support of international research collaboration at the local, bilateral and multilateral level. These relationships occur predominantly under targeted International Agreements and arrangements entered into by the Government.
On the 6th May 2004 the Prime Minister, The Hon John Howard MP, announced Backing Australia's Ability - Building Our Future through Science and Innovation.
As part of this package $55.5 million over five years was announced to support international collaboration through the International Science Linkages (ISL) programme. This continuing commitment to international science collaboration builds on and expands the funding formerly provided through the Innovation Access Programme (IAP) - International Science and Technology (S&T).
The International Science Branch also manages the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) which will provide $20 million over five years commencing in FY 2006/07 for collaborative research activities between Australia and India.
The Australian Government in conjunction with the Government of the People's Republic of China has established the Australia-China Special Fund for S&T Cooperation. The Australia-China Fund is jointly managed by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and its Chinese counterpart, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
The objective of the Australia-China Fund is to promote and support scientific and technological cooperation between Australian and Chinese researchers in both public and private sectors.
The Governments of Australia and the People’s Republic of China recognise the importance of strengthening links between the Australian and Chinese science sectors.
Accordingly, the Science International website has been developed by the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training to assist Australian researchers collaborate with Chinese counterparts.