International linkage grants and international fellows announced

Federal science minister Dr Brendan Nelson announced today the government will provide AUD$2,972,440 to fund 42 new awards for Australian-based researchers to participate in joint research projects with their overseas peers in 18 different countries, under the Australian Research Council's Linkage International Scheme.

The money will also fund 20 new ARC international Fellows to work in overseas research institutions, and bring overseas researchers to Australia to work for up to 12 months.

The international linkage grants will support development of:

· A wastewater treatment system to convert organic pollutants into harmless compounds

· Size-controlled nanoparticles for direct catalysis of methanol in methanol fuel cells for portable devices like laptop computers and mobile phones.

· Advanced screening protocols to identify genes involved in nutrient sensing and efficient nutrient metabolism in plants.