ARC Discovery Projects Funding Statistics Commencing in 2008. (September 26, 2007)

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, today announced that 878 new projects would receive $300.8 million over the next five years under the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Projects scheme.

According to the Australian Research Councils Website Discovery Projects are aimed to:

* support excellent fundamental research by individuals and teams,
* enhance the scale and focus of research in the National Research Priorities,
* assist researchers to undertake their research in conditions most conducive to achieving best results,
* expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability,
* foster the international competitiveness of Australian research,
* encourage research training in high-quality research environments.

The minister said: "In this technology and information age, it is vital that our researchers are supported to ensure Australia remains competitive internationally."

Apparently the Coalition government believes that funding such projects at an average of $68,519 per annum is ample for accomplishing the stated aims.

The projects are to include collaborations with researchers in 75 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, France, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Russia and are scheduled to begin in 2008.

Overview