Australian universities will receive federal funding for research and research training totalling $1.42 billion in 2010.
The funding, formally announced in Adelaide today by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, will be shared by 41 universities Australia-wide.
Included in the 2010 Research Block Grants are:
- $610 million for the Research Training Scheme, which meets the cost of tuition for students completing PhDs and Masters degrees by research;
- $164 million for 3,069 Australian Postgraduate Awards to support exceptional research students; and
- $20 million for the International Postgraduate Research Scheme, which is designed to attract the brightest research students from overseas.
“More than half of the $1.42 billion will go towards training the next generation of Australian researchers – researchers we will need if we are to answer the challenges and build the industries of tomorrow,” Senator Carr said.
“As part of the Rudd Government’s $3.1 billion funding boost for research and innovation in last years budget, and the Powering Ideas research and innovation agenda, the grants include:
- around 500 extra Australian Postgraduate Awards for outstanding students – delivering on Labor’s election commitment to double the number of awards by 2012;
- a 10 per cent increase in the Australian Postgraduate Award stipend to $22,500 a year; and
- an extra $85 million to meet the indirect costs of research under the new Sustainable Research Excellence program, which will eventually be worth $300 million a year.
“The Rudd Government will continue to support research that drives excellence, collaboration and diversity – vital elements for Australia’s prosperity.”
A list of 2010 Research Block Grants is available at www.innovation.gov.au
Media contacts: Patrick Pantano, Minister's Office, 0417 181 936
Justin Withers, Department, 02 6276 1352, 0410 601 111