October 30, 2015
The latest Australian Research Council funding round announced today by the Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham, is a definitive statement of the Group of Eight’s (Go8) dominance and determination in partnering with industry for the betterment of a competitive Australian economy.
Group of Eight universities secured funding for 639 out of the 899 projects announced today.
Go8 Chief Executive, Vicki Thomson, said significantly, this included more than 80% of the funding allocated to Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF).
“At the core of these grants in particular is collaboration with industry. They provide funding for large-scale cooperative projects so that expensive infrastructure, equipment and facilities can be shared between universities and, importantly, industry.
“These grants underpin the fact that Go8 research income from industry is twice that of all other universities combined.”
In addition to the LIEF grants, the Go8 won 458 Discovery grants worth almost $180 million, and 135 Discovery Early Career Research Awards totaling more than $47 million.
“What this indicates is the balance across the spectrum of research activity at the Group of Eight – a hallmark of our research income split – 50/50 between fundamental research and research engaging with industry, government and the community. That balance is important as we see the two research areas as symbiotic for the national benefit.”
Contact: Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 438 047 155
