University Research Block Grants for 2012 = $1.63 billion. (February 17, 2012)

Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research Minister Senator Chris Evans has announced the apportionment of $1,630 million in funding for the Research Training Scheme, the Commercialisation Training Scheme and Sustainable Research Excellence, and funding for domestic and international postgraduate candidates. The more generous indexing of the grants will account for $367 million into research over the next four years.

To guide universities to greater and "more effective" collaboration with the business and non-government research sectors the Joint Research Engagement fund has been increased $12.7 million (3.9%) from $326.3 million to $339 million. The Australian's Jill Rowbotham quotes Senator Evans: "Forging greater links between business and cutting edge research is fundamental to driving productivity and innovation in the Australian economy.''

As for the Group of Eight universities, they got $64.8% of the block grant up 0.3% compared to 2011, leaving 35.2% for the remaining 33.

Tabulation by The Australian