The Australian Government announced today 18 collaborative projects involving Australian and Indian scientists that have been awarded $5 million under the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, with matching funding provided by the Government of India. Top scientists benefit from this multi-million dollar program with India that could lead to better vaccines, more temperature tolerant crops, healthier foods and greater protection for our marine systems.
This is Australia’s largest bilateral research fund, providing $65 million over eight years from 2006-07. This funding will enable leading Australian and Indian scientists to combine their unique strengths and tackle the big issues facing both communities, such as growing healthy crops and protecting precious groundwater environments.
Grants have been awarded to 12 Australian universities and research institutes, including James Cook University, the CSIRO, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, the Australian National University, Melbourne University, the University of Western Australia and the University of Queensland.
Projects to be supported under Round five of the fund include:
- the development of a novel class of anti-cancer agents targeting the immune system;
- the design of malaria vaccines;
- developing methods for the production of omega-3 concentrates for functional foods,
- pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals;
- improving high-temperature tolerance in crop plants; and
- advancing our ability to predict plant distributions under changed climates.
Other projects supported by the fund are in
- nanotechnology,
- marine and earth sciences,
- biomedical devices and implants, and
- stem cells.
For further information on the fund is available at www.innovation.gov.au/AISRF
