The University of Queensland is the third highest revenue earner nationally in a new Federal Government scheme to give institutions greater flexibility in negotiating with industry on collaborative research and training activities.
The new scheme, known as SPIRT (Strategic Partnerships with Industry - Research and Training) folds together Australian Research Council Collaborative Research Grants; and the Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry) and Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships (Industry) schemes.
In the 1998 inaugural round of the scheme, University of Queensland researchers attracted 22 grants and will earn $4,420,000 over three years. Cash and in-kind contributions also have been received from industry partners in varying amounts, depending on the branch of the scheme.
The top placings for the three-year period were:
1. University of Sydney $5,164,000 (31 grants). 2. University of New South Wales $4,571,000 (31 grants). 3. University of Queensland, $4,420,000 (22 grants). 4. University of Melbourne $4,035,000 (28 grants). 5. Monash University $2,834,000 (20 grants). 6. Queensland University of Technology $2,533,000 (20 grants). 7. University of Adelaide $2,299,000 (16 grants).
Proposals under the new combined scheme can encompass collaborative research projects, collaborative research training or a combination of both projects and training.
University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Paul Greenfield said the outcomes demonstrated the relevance of University of Queensland projects to industry.
'These projects will further advance the high level of collaboration between university researchers and eligible industry partners,' he said.
University of Queensland projects selected for funding include research to improve understanding of caving processes; cultivation of the tropical abalone; and the biology and cultivation of novel subantarctic plants.
One zoology project has attracted an Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry). It is for a study of crocodile biology and the development of an economically and ecologically sustainable industry, in conjunction with the Edward River Crocodile Farm; Queensland Department of Environment; Queensland Department of Primary Industry, and the Crocodile Specialist Group - IUCN.
For further information, contact the University Director of Research Services Jan Massey, telephone 07 3365 3640.
