Science wins in latest funding

NEW grants will help Australian researchers and businesses work with counterparts in the Asia Pacific region on science projects, creating new opportunities and solutions to health, environmental and economic challenges.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews launched the second round of the Regional Collaborations Program in Singapore, which will provide over $1.5 million for sciencebased projects and workshops.

“The grants offer Australian businesses and researchers opportunities to forge stronger connections with partners from the rapidly developing Asia Pacific region,” Ms Andrews said.

The first funding round provided five research projects with a total of almost $900,000 attracting nearly $2.5 million of matched funds by project partners.

The existing projects centre on health, advanced manufacturing and environmental change. Researchers from Australian institutions joined partners from Indonesia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Singapore and Japan in the projects, which involve:

AN examination of the mechanisms leading to immunity and resistance to malaria and dengue fever;

THE establishment of an international coalition to support the search for an affordable and effective cure for hepatitis B;

THE use of sustainable materials and prefabricated systems to create resilient affordable housing;

THE use of remote sensing technologies to develop regional monitoring of climate change impacts; and

AN advanced manufacturing venture designed to overcome barriers to the mass production of biomedical devices.

The grants are administered by the Australian Academy of Science.