The University of Queensland’s position as a world-leading research organisation has been boosted with $131 million in the annual federal funding round for research and research training announced today (Wednesday, February 23).
With more than 6300 staff and an annual budget of approximately $1.4 billion, UQ is one of Queensland’s largest employers and a significant economic force in the state. It attracts over $300 million in research income each year.
UQ received the third-largest allocation of the 2011 Research Block Grants awarded to 41 Australian universities. The Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, announced the $1.5 billion in national funding today.
The $131 million awarded to UQ was distributed across seven schemes including $55 million under the Research Training Scheme to support research training for students and $17.5 million for 296 new Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) places – an increase of 29 APA places from the 2010 allocation to UQ.
UQ's total allocation was third only to The University of Melbourne ($167.5 million) and The University of Sydney ($154.5 million).
Overall, UQ received almost 60 percent of the $227 million allocated to Queensland universities.
UQ's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Max Lu said the funding awarded through these Research Block Grants helps UQ to sustain and advance its world-class research.
“The funding allocation reflects UQ’s position as one of Australia’s top research institutions. The Federal Government’s 2010 Excellence in Research for Australia assessment, released last month, confirmed the quality and breadth of UQ’s research places it amongst the top two Universities in the nation,” Professor Lu said.
“This new funding will help to further UQ’s research in vital areas such as health, humanities, economics, agriculture, water and food security, climate, biofuels and space exploration technology."
The Dean of UQ's Graduate School, Professor Zlatko Skrbis, said the increased allocation of APA places — to 296 — aligned with the University’s strategic goal of further building and strengthening its research higher degree activities and reflected UQ’s dedication to excellence in research training.
“As one of the nation’s highest-ranked and most comprehensive research organisations, with more people working in research fields that have been assessed as being above world standard than at any other Australian university, UQ is best placed to support the next generation of Australian research leaders,” Professor Skrbis said.
Media: Kathy Grube, UQ Communications, ph +61 7 3346 0561 or 0418 524 297.
