Investing in early career researchers

The Morrison Government is investing $84 million in early career researchers as part of our plan to help drive Australia’s economic recovery. 

Minister for Education Dan Tehan today announced funding for 200 research projects in the national interest led by young Australian researchers under the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award scheme. 

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said 72 per cent of the funded research was in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

“Our Government is funding our smartest researchers to tackle the problems that will improve our lives, grow our economy and generate new knowledge,” Mr Tehan said. 

“For example, 72 per cent of bridges in Australia were built before 1976 so a cheap, safe way to test bridge integrity will lead to safer travel for all Australians and lower maintenance costs. 

“These research projects are part of our Government’s plan to invest in ideas and innovation to help power Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. 

“This investment in research will complement the additional $1 billion for university research and $157 million for research infrastructure announced in the 2020 Budget. 

“The Budget also provides $5.8 million to design a scheme to accelerate turning university research into new products, job creation, productivity gains and economic growth. 

“The $900 million Industry Linkage Fund, created as part of the Job-ready Graduates package, will incentivise university engagement with industry and focus on creating more STEM-skilled and job-ready graduates in areas of industry and community priority. 

“Our Government is investing in research that’s in the national interest and we have a plan to turn that research into jobs, productivity gains and economic growth as part of our economic recovery from COVID-19.” 

Funded projects include:
• $351,948 to develop a new approach to fire management in the wake of bushfires 

that will lead to improved governance and policy in bushfire management to better protect communities and save lives (University of Western Australia).