Linking Australian science to the world

Nine Australian research projects which target the National Research Priorities will share in $2.9 million in funding in a round of the International Science Linkages (ISL) Competitive Grants, as part of the Backing Australia's Ability initiative.

Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, announced the funding claiming it affirmed the Australian government's continued commitment to the country's participation in leading-edge international scientific collaboration.

"This funding will assist Australian researchers to access the latest international scientific knowledge and further demonstrate Australia's world-class research effort," Bishop said.

Some of the applicants to funding include:

• researchers from The University of Tasmania and a leading European Union Framework Programme working to develop cost-effective control and prevention strategies for emerging and future food-borne bacteria;
• a collaboration between researchers from The University of Melbourne, Germany and the USA to enhance secure data transfer for both governments and the private sector;
• researchers from The University of Sydney collaborating with the USA, New Zealand and Scotland on a project, specifically relating to the sheep industry, that will strengthen Australia's growing position in genome science.

Australia already has collaborative research associations with a number of countries and the Australian Government, through the ISL Competitive Grants scheme, will continue to support the development of these mutually beneficial relationships.