The University of Queensland will share in almost $90 million worth of research funding announced by the Federal Government last week.
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Honourable Kim Carr awarded $243 million to 10 of Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres, four of which involve UQ.
• $31.6 million will be used to establish the Oral Health CRC. Based at the University of Melbourne, the new centre aims to reduce the prevalence and cost of oral disease in Australia by developing methods for preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease and for identifying links between dental and general health. UQ is the major node outside of Melbourne.
• $25.5 million was awarded to the CRC for Aboriginal Health. UQ is a core member of this centre, which focuses on achieving health gains through innovation across the following areas: early intervention and chronic illness; healthy communities and settings; and enabling policy and systems.
• Developing technologies to assist the Australian mining industry reduce its CO2-e footprint is the aim of CRCMining, which received $12 million. UQ is a core member of this centre.
• UQ is a supporting member of the CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies, which received $20 million. Through the CRC, more than 100 researchers work on the capture of carbon dioxide from stationary industrial sources; its compression; transport and storage in deep geological reservoirs.
Established by the Hawke Labor Government in 1990, the CRC Program remains the Government’s premier program for establishing long-term collaborative partnerships.
These partnerships are critical in addressing Australia’s innovation needs and delivering social, environmental and economic outcomes for all Australians.
The CRC Program links researchers with industry to focus R&D efforts on progress towards utilisation and commercialisation. The close interaction between researchers and the users of research is a key feature of the Program.
There are currently 48 CRCs operating in six sectors: environment (10), agriculture and rural-based manufacturing (14), information and communication technology (5), mining and energy (4), medical science and technology (8) and manufacturing technology (7).
Media: Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
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