Australia-China research collaborations will benefit from an additional $18 million over the next three years, with the opening of a dedicated Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF) this week.
The Australian Government is committing $A9 million to the Australia-China Science and Research Fund from 2011-12, which will be matched by the Chinese Government. This is in addition to recent reforms to assist Australian researchers to collaborate with international partners. The recent commitment follows the announcement made earlier this year to provide funding to support Australia-China joint research centres. The Australian Government will provide up to $1 million for each centre which will be matched by the Chinese Government. Joint research centres must include at least one Australian Eligible Research Organisation and one Chinese partner. The Fund will also support Australia-China group missions and activities that encourage researchers from both countries to exchange research knowledge.
Demand for grants under the ACSRF is expected to be high and the fund’s program guidelines contain detailed information about how the fund will operate. Applications for funding from joint research centres close on 27 February 2012, while group mission applications will be assessed as they are received.
