Federal government invests $74 million in commercialising research

A $74 million federal government investment is intended to create stronger research and industry connections.

Education Minister Alan Tudge says new investment in research commercialisation will help tackle challenges in Australia, the region and the world. Picture: Sarah Matray

The federal government will invest $74m in new research hubs and training centres as part of its drive towards commercialising Australian innovation under its Industrial Transformation Research Program.

The commitment announced on Wednesday will fund eight ARC Industrial Transformation research hubs for $36.4m and eight ARC Industrial Transformation training centres for $37.8m spread across 14 uni­versities.

The intention was to create stronger research and industry connections in areas including energy, biomedical technology and agriculture, Education Minister Alan Tudge said.

“They will ensure we are getting the most out of our world-class research while transferring that information into real-world outcomes that will help our post-Covid economic recovery and strengthen our nation,” Mr Tudge said.

“The training centres will also equip our future generation of researchers by giving students and postdoctoral researchers practical skills and experience through industry placements.”

The successful university applicants include the University of NSW, which has funding for the Connected Sensors for Health hub and the Resilient and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems in Urban, Resources and Energy Sectors hub; the University of Sydney, with the Intelligent Robotic Systems for Real-Time Asset hub; and Monash University with the Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials hub.

The Australian National University received funding for an Accelerated Future Crop Development training centre; Macquarie University received funding for the Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives training centre; and the University of Western Australia received funding for the Next-Gen Technologies in Biomedical Analysis training centre.

All of the new projects fall under the national research priorities of advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, food and agribusiness, medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, mining equipment, technology and services and oil, gas and energy resources.