ARC research networks up and running

The Australian Research Council’s Research Network Program is out of the starting gates. It was announced today that 24 new research networks will be established across Australia with $42 million in funding from the federal government.

Established at the end of 2003 with an initial seed funding round, the Research Network Program aims to build connections between groups around the country to foster collaboration and enhance research outputs.

“It is a fairly novel process,” said Simon Sedgley from the ARC. “And it required a fair degree of consultation so we set up a seed process to assist consortia to frame a bid for this round.”

The research networks cover areas identified as National Research Priorities by the government in 2002 -- safeguarding Australia, nanotechnology, environmental sustainability and promoting and maintaining good health in the young and old.

The ARC and the National Health and Medical Research Council will provide funding jointly over five years -- the NHMRC will contribute $4.5 million to co-fund five medical and health networks.

“Essentially the funding will be used variously by the different networks, but it is there to allow disparate groups located around the country to do what they need to bring research programs together and build on the strength of their research,” said Sedgley. “That might involve funding a network coordinator to bring groups together, or any other way of enhancing communication between groups.”

The research networks are expected to involve 3400 people.

More information is available at: www.arc.gov.au