15 October 2008
Monash University has again performed strongly in the latest round of Australian Research Council Funding (ARC) announced by the Federal Government, recording the strongest ever performance on industry and government-linked research.
The ARC allocations announced today by the Federal Government confirmed Monash University's position as a centre of research excellence with a total of $26.7 million awarded to 90 separate projects.
The ARC funding is divided into four categories: Discovery, Linkage, Linkage International and Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development.
Monash University secured $6.1 million in Linkage Projects enabling the University, to work with organisations as diverse as health providers, government departments, law enforcement agencies, non government organisations, steel manufactures and the oil industry. Their support to the value of $12 million demonstrates our well established partnerships.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish welcomed the funding and said it ensured Monash maintained its position as a hub of research excellence in tune with industry and government priorities.
"We have a strong team of gifted and dedicated researchers who have great vision and the ability to collaborate with each other and with industry to identify potential solutions to the challenges facing this and future generations," Professor Cornish said.
"The ARC funding will progress their work and will ultimately lead to research outcomes we hope will benefit communities not only in Australia, but across the world.
"The ARC's support provides our researchers with a much-needed platform to pursue their work and ultimately build on their success both locally and globally.
The 90 ARC funded projects, to be undertaken from next year, incorporate a wide range of disciplines including medical research, chemical and aerospace engineering, climate change investigation, information technology, history and education.
Funding allocated under the ARC Discovery Projects Proposal includes:
- $883,000 for research into the specific roles of some proteins in the human body's immune system to develop approaches to control aspects of diabetes and transplant rejection in patients;
- $650,000 to develop portable pocket-sized devices for diagnostics and drug delivery;
- $750,000 to investigate treatments for the multi-billion dollar problem of corrosion in materials used in a range of applications from massive aircraft components to hip joints;
- $307,000 to continue research into stem cell treatments and a further $488,000 to fund research into stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury; and
- $370,000 to explore why only some people develop allergies.
Monash University also received the highest single amount of funding of any university under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development program.
For more information and a complete list of recipients, visit the ARC website. To arrange an interview with Monash researchers please contact Samantha Blair, Media and Communications, +61 3 9903 4841 or 0439 013 951.
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