Media Release

Backing Australia's Ability - Funding for Research Priorities Announced

January 29, 2001 MIN 06/02

I am pleased to announce research priority areas for the Australian Research Council’s (ARC’s) 2003 funding round under the National Competitive Grants Program.

Last year, the Prime Minister released the Government’s $3 billion Innovation Action Plan, Backing Australia’s Ability, including an additional $736.4 million over 5 years to double funding for ARC competitive grants. Backing Australia’s Ability flagged the need for an emphasis on research in which Australia enjoys or wants to build competitive advantage.

Extensive expert consultations have informed the Government’s decision to focus the ARC’s 2003 National Competitive Grants Programme on four priority research areas:

Nano and Bio-materials Ã¢ÂÂÃ¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»

Genome/Phenome Research Ã¢ÂÂÃ¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»

Complex/Intelligent Systems Ã¢ÂÂÃ¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»

Photon Science and Technology Ã¢ÂÂÃ¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»Ã¯Â¿Â»

A total of 33 per cent of ARC funding in the 2003 round will be targeted to these priority areas, to support project grants and centres for up to five years at a total cost of approximately $170 million.

This funding will enable Australia to focus its research effort on particular areas in which we have world class, leading edge capabilities.

The nominated areas have been identified as fields of existing and emerging research strength in which Australia can achieve international leadership. Most importantly, they have the potential to deliver significant economic and social

benefits to the Australian community.

The priority research areas have been adopted on the advice of a working group of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council following deliberations of the ARC’s own Expert Advisory Committees and the ARC Board.

Priority areas will be funded through the establishment of new Centres of Excellence concentrating teams of researchers in these areas, and through the ARC’s Discovery and Linkage grants to outstanding individual researchers. Funding for grants and centres will be guided by factors including research excellence, potential national benefit and capacity to build scale, focus and critical mass in these areas.

This is another step in the Government’s efforts to obtain a better return on Australia’s science investment. The Government will soon announce details of a process to be undertaken during 2002 to finalise priorities across the national research effort, including for major Commonwealth research agencies. This process will form an important part of the Government’s efforts to strengthen the national innovation system.



Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095

DEST: Jane Smith 0412 973 411



Summary of ARC research priorities



Nano-materials and Bio-materials

Nano-scale assemblies of atoms and molecules have properties totally unlike those of bulk materials. Research on them will lead to advances in computing, chemical processing, molecular motors, implantable sensors and many other areas. Bio-materials, either natural or artificial, are particularly important for agricultural production and human health. Research will lead to new biosensors, tissue reconstruction procedures and new forms of energy conversion and environmental management based on biological systems.

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The Genome-Phenome Link

The complete description of the human genome and those of other organisms has been a major achievement of modern science. Although molecular biologists have been very successful in identifying and manipulating genes, the control of gene expression and the interactions of gene products which lead ultimately to the

expression of a unique phenotype are poorly understood. Research in this area will contribute to the development of gene therapies and the genetic improvement of plants and animals of agricultural importance by gene transfer which may lead, among other things, to the eradication of inherited disease and to a solution to the world’s food problems.

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Complex systems

Real-world systems are almost always made up from a large number of interacting components. This lead to complex behaviour that is difficult to understand, predict and manage. Research on complex systems is often undertaken by mathematicians, statisticians, engineers, and information and computer scientists. It will contribute to improvements in areas such as the internet, air traffic and transport control, power systems, robotics, irrigation and land management, defence, manufacturing and finance, as well as ecology and biology.

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Photon Science and Technology

Light, X-rays and radio waves are examples of different forms of photons. Australian research in photon sciences leads the world in areas such as solar energy conversion, optical instrumentation for telescopes and optical communication components. Better lasers for medical and industrial applications, new optical fibres for improved communications, and exciting new forms of visual arts are among the expected outcomes of intensified research in photon science and technology.

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