Australian Government Programs

Australian Research Council (ARC)

The ARC plays a significant role in supporting international collaboration, by maintaining a strong presence within the international research community and providing funding opportunities that bring together Australian and international researchers and organisations. The ARC is committed to creating and enhancing international collaboration opportunities through the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). Support for international collaboration is currently incorporated within each of the ARC's funding schemes.

The ARC provides specific Information for International Researchers interested in collaborating with Australia through the ARC. The ARC provides information on its role in Supporting International Collaboration.

Important Dates in relation to the timing of ARC rounds

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

The NHMRC has a range of grants that assist with building collaborative research relationships.

In particular, the NHMRC – EU Collaborative Research Grants scheme aims to provide assistance to Australian researchers to participate in multinational research collaborative projects with international researchers through the EU’s funding schemes. The NHMRC is considering which European Commission Horizon 2020 calls to support through its EU – NHMRC Collaborative Grants scheme. Information regarding a 2014 funding round will be provided once details are known.

In addition, the NHMRC – National Institute for Health Research Collaborative Research Grants provides NHMRC research grants of up to five years duration to support project work being conducted by Partner Investigators located in Australia, under the United Kingdom Health Technology Assessment Program.

Further NHMRC collaborative grants include the NHMRC-California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Collaborative Research Grants scheme, the Human Frontier Science Program, and the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases.

Important Dates in relation to the timing of NHMRC rounds.

Australian – European Union Collaboration Program

The Australian Government has granted the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) funding for Australian research and industry consortia to join strategic, cooperative research partnerships under the Horizon 2020 programme. The call for Stage One - Expressions of Interest closes on 29 April 2014.

Australian Renewable Energy Agency

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supports renewable energy projects with funding from a range of initiatives and programs.

The Research and Development Program supports renewable energy technologies that will increase the commercial deployment of renewable energy technology in Australia. Up to $300 million over the period 2013 to 2022 has been allocated to develop ARENA’s R&D portfolio, with up to $20 million available in the first round (expressions of interest for Round One have now closed).

The Emerging Renewables Program (ERP) funds activities to support the development, demonstration and early stage deployment of renewable energy technologies with the potential to lower the cost, and thereby increase the supply, of renewable energy in Australia. The key international engagement priority of the program is to support measures that facilitate strategic partnerships between Australian and international researchers and technology developers, where collaboration between the parties will deliver outcomes that could not otherwise be achieved by either party on its own.

The Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund provides management expertise and makes equity investments in early-stage Australian renewable energy companies to help them overcome capital constraints, develop technologies, increase skills and forge international connections.

Other initiatives include Supporting High Value Australian Renewable Energy Knowledge (SHARE) (applications for SHARE project funding can be made via the Emerging Renewables Program), and the Accelerated Step Change Initiative.

Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program

The CRC Program supports industry led research partnerships between publicly funded researchers, business and the community to address major long-term challenges. The program supports research collaborations across all disciplines and industry sectors, and CRCs are encouraged to engage globally. 17th Selection Round applications close in July 2014. 

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Flagship Collaboration Fund

The CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund (FCF) supports the CSIRO National Research Flagships Program in achieving their goals by providing funding to engage external capability to: solve specific science problems; develop expertise for CSIRO and its partners; and build collaborative partnerships.

At different times throughout the year, the FCF provides contestable funding for:

  • Flagship clusters
  • Flagship research projects
  • Flagship visiting fellowships
  • Flagship postgraduate scholarships.
  • Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships

Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships are internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships provided by the Australian Government that support citizens of the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas to undertake study, research and professional development programmes in Australia and for Australians to undertake these programmes overseas. Scholarships and fellowships are offered annually.

International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)

IPRS enables international students to undertake a postgraduate research qualification in Australia and gain experience with leading Australian researchers. The scholarship covers tuition fees and health cover costs for scholarship holders, and health cover costs for their dependants. A total of 330 IPRS places are awarded to Australian higher education providers each year at a cost of around $20 million per annum. Applications for an IPRS need to be made directly to participating Australian higher education providers.

National Environmental Research Program

The National Environmental Research Program invests $20 million each year in environmental research by five hubs to support decision making. The program recognises that overseas collaboration is important to research innovation.

The Australian Government Department of Environment and Department of Agriculture offer a range of grants and funding. Some of these initiatives have a focus on collaborative research.

The Rural Research and Development Corporations regularly seek innovation and research partners for projects.

National Taxonomy Research Grant Program

The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) National Taxonomy Research Grant Program (NTRGP) provides grants for taxonomic research. Grants are awarded for research projects where the primary aim is to undertake taxonomic research on the Australian biota or to develop products that aid in the dissemination of taxonomic information. The program also supports projects that build Australian taxonomic capacity.

Research Infrastructure Block Grants

Research Infrastructure Block Grants (RIBG) provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to eligible Australian higher education providers to maintain and strengthen Australia’s knowledge base and research capabilities by developing an effective research and research training system. The grants may be used to fund travel costs to allow participation in international consortia.

AusIndustry

The R&D Tax Incentive is a targeted, generous and easy to access entitlement program that helps businesses offset some of the costs of doing R&D. The Program aims to help more businesses do R&D and innovate.

Commercialisation Australia

Commercialisation Australia is a competitive, merit-based assistance program offering funding and resources to accelerate the business building process for Australian companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors looking to commercialise innovative intellectual property.

It provides flexible options to suit different stages of the commercialisation cycle:

  • Skills and knowledge
  • Experienced executives
  • Proof of concept:
  • Early stage commercialisation

Commercialisation Australia is currently not accepting or processing applications, or accepting requests for funding extensions as the Australian Government is reviewing funding arrangements for Commercialisation Australia.

[updated 16.4.14]