Support for research infrastructure renewed

The Australian Government will renew the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) with an input of $185.9 million from 2013-14 to 2014-15.

NCRIS supports major research infrastructure to encourage collaboration between the research sector, industry and government.

“This funding will support national collaborative infrastructure already funded under NCRIS and the Super Science initiative that underpins researchers’ efforts across the entire research sector until June 2015,” Federal Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr said.

“A stronger research sector is vital to a strong and prosperous future for Australia and this renewed support will reassure researchers that the Australian Government is serious about supporting their essential work.”

The government has provided a series of funding programs for large-scale research infrastructure, including the Major National Research Facilities Program ($183 million over five years), the Systemic Infrastructure Initiative ($246 million over five years), the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy in 2004/5 ($542 million over six years) and more recently, the Super Science Initiative in 2009 ($901 million over four years).

“The infrastructure being supported has already benefited all Australians; for example, through better weather forecasts based on an improved understanding of the ocean’s behaviour,” said Senator Carr.

“Other benefits include improved delivery of vaccines through the nano-patch, better understanding of health outcomes by sharing information from patients and improved crop productivity.”

Senator Carr said because the funding was targeted, the Innovation Department would begin discussions on the specific activities to be funded and the appropriate level of funding with eligible infrastructure providers.

The guidelines for the program are available online.