$42 million for new research networks, Australia
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, and the Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, today announced the Government would establish 24 new research networks to help coordinate leading-edge research across Australia.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) will jointly provide $42 million over five years to foster collaboration among researchers at the forefront of their fields of expertise.
Five of the networks will be co-funded by the ARC and NHMRC, with $9.25 million used to bring researchers together to develop new biotechnology tools and new health diagnostics, to improve childhood development and the quality of life among older populations, to help control and eradicate parasites, and to understand better the relationship between genes and environment.
All of the 24 networks will be established in areas identified by the Government as National Research Priorities. For example, the:
-- Research Network for a Secure Australia will advance the National Research Priority of Safeguarding Australia by strengthening our research capacity for protecting critical infrastructure.
-- Australia-New Zealand Research Network for Vegetation Function will advance the National Research Priority of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia.
-- Australian Nanotechnology Network will advance the National Research Priority of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.
-- Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth and Ageing Well will advance the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health.
"This is the beginning of a new era of collaboration across Australian research. Australia's best researchers have told us that they increasingly need to find ways to work across organisational, geographic and discipline boundaries. These network grants will help our best minds to exchange ideas, to collaborate, and to work together for the benefit of Australia's future," said Dr Nelson.
"The Howard Government has increased funding for research to record levels. The government will continue to foster closer partnerships between researchers, the NHMRC and other funding bodies. Sharing knowledge can help advance research and results, and for this reason the NHMRC is contributing over $4.5 million to co-fund five medical and health networks," Mr Abbott said.
The new research networks will build connections between people, disciplines, organisations and countries, bringing together more than 3,400 participants from Australia and overseas.
The ARC's Research Networks program is an initiative of Backing Australia's Ability, under which the Government is investing $8.3 billion over 10 years to support excellence in Australian science and innovation.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson's Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
Australian Research Council: Simon Sedgley 0412 623 054
NHMRC Communications Jeanne Klener 0401 995 534
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia
42 milioane dolari pentru noi reþele de cercetare, australia - $42 million for new research networks, Australia - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate