The Large Grants Research Program is particularly seeking research projects put forward by First Nations researchers that will help solve Indigenous equity issues in universities, although it will consider projects that research other disadvantaged groups, including low SES students, students with disabilities or students from regional or remote Australia.

The newly rebranded centre, boosted after the Accord final report release, will collect and research data through randomised control trials to present to universities so they have access to best practice models when it comes to involving and supporting disadvantaged students.

Projects should aim to produce research that universities can apply to their future equity programs in a 12-month period, to support disadvantaged student cohorts in getting to and excelling in university.

Considered research areas would investigate alternative pathways to uni, improving student wellbeing or the effects of intra-sectoral (within higher education) or inter-sectoral (higher, vocational, and secondary education) relationships on student equity.

Expressions of interest close March 27.

Visiting scholarships program

The centre's Visiting Scholarships are also now open, where existing equity researchers can spend time at the ACSES office at Curtin University in Perth to undertake university equity studies with other researchers.

ACSES Research and Policy Program Director Professor Ian Li said scholarships will be awarded to those with potential to develop a track record of higher education policy and equity research.

“We are keen to partner with experts nationally or internationally to work on initiatives that will widen participation and improve outcomes in higher education equity” he said.

“Efforts to progress on higher education student equity will require diverse input from researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners, and we would like to draw on the range of expertise available from like-minded individuals.”

Applications for the scholarship close May 24 .

The university has partnered with NSW government agency Landcom and the NSW Reconstruction Authority to deliver much-needed low and medium-density housing on an East Lismore site.

The 72 hectare site will include 20 per cent affordable housing, while lots will be suitable for the relocation of existing homes from flood-prone areas as the she site is above the probable maximum flood level.

Southern Cross University vice-chancellor Tyrone Carlin said the university was a key part of the community, and the plans would help the regional hub to be more resilient down the line.

“East Lismore is close to the university, close to the CBD, and close to shops, sporting facilities, schools and other community infrastructure – so it’s the ideal location for a development such as this,” Professor Carlin said.

Landcom will invest $60 million on infrastructure such as new roads, power, water, and sewage connections.

A $15 million NSW Reconstruction Authority contribution will help enable participants to be given priority to buy the new land and housing before it is offered to the broader market.

Landcom is set to commence initial work later this year, subject to approvals, and it is expected housing will be available for sale from 2026.

Lismore Labor MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said work to address housing shortfalls “gives heart and hope and homes” to our communities.

It was hoped it would ultimately allow “locals to stay in Lismore” and Ms Saffin flagged similar plans and “more to come across the Northern Rivers”.

As part of its response to the flood disaster, Southern Cross University is running research on the effects of the disaster on marginal groups.

It is looking to participate in its study investigating flood response and recovery efforts as part of their Flood Recovery Project Scheme.

The scheme committed to funding seven flood aid and recovery-based research projects at $25,000 each.

People who identify as a migrant or refugee, are experiencing homelessness or are sexually and/or gender diverse and were affected by the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, are invited to share their stories.

Research leader associate Professor Matthew Leach said the study will help better inform flood recovery providers of the individual needs of minority groups.

"We know from overseas studies that marginalised groups are disproportionately impacted by floods, but what we do not fully understand is whether this is also the case in Australia," he said.

"The findings from this study will determine the extent to which the health and wellbeing needs of marginalised groups have or have not been met to date, and how future flood response and recovery efforts might better serve those needs.

"Ultimately, it is about recognising the diversity of regional communities, and ensuring appropriate and timely services, resources and infrastructure are put in place to mitigate the impacts of flooding events on these communities."

Those who participate in the study will participate in a 30 minute interview and receive a $50 gift voucher.

The Bertalli Foundation donated $2.5 million over five years to La Trobe University to help establish literacy clinics for children struggling with reading and writing.

The donation will also help fund research into how rural and regional children are taught during the first three years of school.

“We know that children who are confident readers are more engaged with their learning have fewer behavioural and emotional problems, are more likely to complete Year 12, and are less likely to have contact with the youth justice system,” La Trobe's education faculty head Professor Joanna Barbousas said.

“Despite increasing awareness of the science of learning approach, many schools are teaching children to read using methods for which the empirical evidence base is weak or non-existent – leaving too many children behind.”

In 2020, the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training issued a report which identified overall lower education attainment rates in Australians from regional and remote areas.

The release of the 2022 NAPLAN data also revealed students in regional and rural areas had lower averages in literacy and numeracy than those in metropolitan areas.

Philanthropist Neville Bertalli said he first saw the 'incredible difference' evidence-based reading and writing programs made while working with Victorian schools.

"Not only did the children enjoy school more, their NAPLAN results improved," he said.

“We were so excited by these outcomes we wanted to multiply our efforts – and recognised that La Trobe is a leader in this space and has academics with the passion and deep expertise to bring our vision to life."

This is not the first gift the Bertalli Foundation has made to a university.

In 2011, the Bertalli Foundation donated scholarship financial assistance to Melbourne university to assist high-performing students that completed school in rural or isolated areas.

The gift continued to support students in undergraduate commerce degrees with many who have gone on to forge careers at global organisations.

Part of Bertalli's donation to La Trobe will also fund the creation of a Science of Learning Schools (SoLS) program.

As part of the initative, pre-service teachers studying in Victoria will be able to enter a handful of 'exemplary schools' to gain practical teaching experience.

Through its Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the Australian government announced nearly $400 million in 193 medical research projects last week, including $32.3 million for First Nations health and $16.9 million for mental health research.

In total, 20 universities nationwide were awarded funding through the MRFF.

The University of Sydney received $47 million distributed across 32 research projects, which will investigate the impact of vaping on teenagers, early dementia and the treatment of blinding eye diseases through stem cell therapy.

Sydney University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Emma Johnston said the funding boost will enable researchers to address "critical health issues"

"I am heartened to see such strong support for our world-class medical research as we work to solve complex health challenges for the benefit of many Australians and their families," Professor Johnston said.

Monash University got the lion's share of the funding, with $53 million distributed across 21 research projects, with $3 million towards a world-first drug treatment trial for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

The trial, set to start later this year, will investigate the effect of 6 months of treatment with sodium selenate in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy to see if it will reduce seizure frequency seen in preclinical animal studies.

The University of New South Wales was warded over $33 million for 15 projects tackling, among others, chronic lower back pain, childhood dementia, cervical cancer and RNA vaccines.

Scientia Professor Vlado Perkovic, Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health and Acting Provost said he was "extremely proud" of the funding recipients.

"I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the projects, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on many Australians," Professor Perkovic said.

The University of Newcastle received nearly $18 million across 10 research projects.

Researchers from UON will look at improving access to stroke rehabilitation for people in regional areas and providing care for people living with asthma, dementia and mental health issues.

This will includes $2 million awarded to develop the Gulibaa (Coolamon) Project, which will support Aboriginal mothers across NSW to be smoke-free in pregnancy and after birth.

The Australian government established The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) in 2015.

Grants announced last Tuesday varied between $300,000 and $15 million.

Other successful recipients include the University of Western Australia, the University of Queensland, the University of Melbourne, Flinders University, Curtin University and the University of Technology, Sydney.

The 2023 ARC Discovery grants were distributed in all states and territories with New South Wales and Victoria institutions having the highest number of grants approved (142), pocketing $64m and $67m respectively. 

Queensland topped third place with 92 grants attributed across all its universities for almost $43m.

The University of Melbourne received the highest number of approved applications, with 57 projects sharing more than $28m. 

UniMelb Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Jim McCluskey said the university is delighted with the results. 

Pr. McCluskey said the grants demonstrate “the critical role” the university can play in responding to the major social, economic, environmental and medical challenges. 

“The ARC Discovery grants awarded demonstrate the sheer depth and breadth of the research at the University of Melbourne with projects focusing on climate, water quality and biodiversity, economics, microbiology and literature amongst many others,” Pr. McCluskey told Campus Review.

The University of Melbourne also scored the highest funding of this year’s cohort which was received by Professor Andrew Allen who will use the $946,768.00 to unveil the link between emotions and heart rate variability.

The project aims to address the lack of knowledge linking emotions and heart rate by identifying and characterising the interactions between the nervous system and various feelings. 

Following UniMelb on the highest number of grants attributed, the University of Queensland saw 51 projects funded and Monash University 46, scoring $25m and $22m respectively. 

The University of Sydney will develop cybersecurity techniques to protect individuals against artificial intelligence attacks for $482,000.

Researchers from Swinburne University of Technology will be working in an international team with experts from the USA, Europe, and Israel to discover 'mature galaxies' with the James Webb Space Telescope.

The University of Newcastle will tackle the recovery of Australia's coral reefs by providing information on how historical temperatures and bleaching can impact reef recovery. The project received $660,000.

The University of New South Wales received funding for 41 projects totalling $17m, with the science and engineering department being awarded the lion’s share by securing 15 and 14 grants.

UNSW Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise, Professor Jonathan Morris, congratulated the University’s researchers on their success.

“The Discovery Projects support cutting-edge research into 'new' knowledge that drives much of Australia’s world-leading research,” Pr. Morris said. 

“The UNSW projects will deliver significant outcomes in fields such as ocean forecasting, advanced manufacturing, health, and architecture. 

“It’s great to see UNSW researchers perform strongly in this funding scheme once again this year.” 

This year the ARC Discovery project scheme received 2,589 applications of which 22 were deemed not to meet the eligibility requirements. 

ARC Chief Executive Officer Ms Judi Zielke PSM said the chosen projects will “deliver significant outcomes” in their respective industries and will expand Australia’s “knowledge base and research capacity.”

The ARC Discovery Projects scheme is part of the Australian Government's plan to support researchers who wish to undertake research in areas of national and international interest.

Applications for the 2024 Discovery Projects are already open and will close in early March 2023.

Funded by the Australian Government, the Future Fellowships scheme focuses on mid-career researchers from key industries such as cybersecurity, manufacturing, engineering, energy, health, science, media and communications. 

This year the scheme rewarded 100 researchers who shared $94 million and will each have four years to develop their research. 

CEO of the Australian Research Council, Judi Zielke, said the research undertaken by the new Future Fellowship Scheme will be innovative and bring benefits to Australians. 

“The ARC Future Fellowships scheme attracts and helps retain the best and brightest mid-career researchers, as they undertake research in areas of national importance,” Zielke said.

“These new Future Fellowships are awarded to outstanding mid-career researchers, who will receive funding support for the next four years to undertake innovative research in many exciting areas, with many potential benefits for Australians.”

In addition to finding solutions to key industry challenges, the Future Fellows will also be responsible for training the next generation of researchers. 

This year the scheme received 627 applications. Twelve were deemed not to have met the eligibility requirements, and ultimately 100 were approved. 

Grants were distributed across 21 universities in all states and territories, except in the Northern Territory. 

New South Wales and Victoria institutions had the highest number of grants approved with 40 and 31 grants getting $37 and $29 million in funding respectively, closely followed by Queensland with 13 grants for a total of $13 millions.

The University of New South Wales received the highest number of approved applications, with 14 of its researchers sharing more than $13 million in funding to work on projects including engineering, sciences, health, design and architecture. 

UNSW Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sven Rogge congratulated the 2022 Future Fellows and acknowledged their contributions to their respective research field.

"UNSW was awarded the largest portion of ARC Future Fellowships of all Australian universities which underlines a broad research strength in terms of fields and career stages,” Rogge said.

“From projects that hope to develop objective physiological methods to measure mental imagery to extending our understanding of the workings of temperature extremes hidden below the ocean surface – it’s wonderful to see diversity among the 14 UNSW projects announced in this round of ARC Future Fellowships.”

Following UNSW on the highest number of grants attributed, Monash University grabbed 11 grants and The University of Queensland 10. 

Each of the Future Fellowship recipients will receive between $700,000 and $1.15 million. 

The highest funding of this year’s cohort was received by University of Sydney researcher from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Professor Renae Ryan, who will use the $1.144 million to look into how membrane proteins present in cells transport chemical messengers in the brain.

The project aims to generate new knowledge and techniques that will be shared with other researchers and the pharmaceutical industry to design new drugs to treat cancer and epilepsy. 

USyd Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Emma Johnston congratulated the seven USyd researchers that secured funding and who will lead the research in ‘green’ chemical engineering, quantum computing, machine learning, neurology, geometry, and understanding Australia’s cultural past. 

“It is fantastic to see the innovative work of our outstanding mid-career researchers recognised with these extremely competitive fellowships,” Johnston said.

“The research of our new cohort of Future Fellows covers a wonderful breadth of disciplines and has the potential to change lives for the better.

“I am confident we will see even more success in this scheme in future years as we focus on providing the very best environment to support our early- and mid-career researchers to excel as part of our new university strategy."

The Future Fellowship is part of the Australian Government plan to support mid-career researchers who wish to undertake research in areas of national and international interest.

Applications for the 2023 Fellowship will open in early October and close in December 2022.

Australian National University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney were among the successful round two recipients of the National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants (NISDRG) program. 

Each grant costs between $400,000 and $600,000 and will fund a total of 10 research projects.

The projects will work on identifying weaknesses in artificial intelligence, developing new explosives detection methods, sensor technologies and machine learning for miniature satellites.

“The 10 successful programs represent a balanced portfolio of research and development investment that includes universities from different jurisdictions across a range of research topics," said chief defence scientist Professor Tanya Monro.

“Collectively, this will generate valuable capability and capacity in tertiary sector research and development related specifically to national security."

The first round of the NISDRG program saw almost $6 million in research grants awarded to eight universities during late 2021.

Then minister for defence Peter Dutton said the funding would "enhance our ability to deal with threats to our national interests".

As global tensions increase, research partnerships between Australia's universities, defence industries and government have accelerated.

In January, the government announced a $242.7 million dollar defence trailblazer package, a university-led commercialisation effort aimed at the development and exportation of military technologies.

This came shortly after the department of defence opened a $14 million dollar research facility in Brisbane as part of a US-Australian collaboration to test hypersonic cruise missiles.

The recent NISDRG grants, announced on Monday, were administered by the Australian Research Council (ARC) through a competitive peer-reviewed program.

Other successful recipients include the University of Western Australia, the University of Queensland, Macquarie University, Monash University and the University of Technology, Sydney.

The university has secured two partnerships with Breakthrough Victoria and Tanarra Capital which will support their lecturers to turn their research and innovation into business ventures. 

In total, $115 million will be invested in two different schemes, the Genesis Pre-Seed Fund which will support high potential companies at the pre-seed stage, where researchers will be provided with mentorship, networking and funding for their ideas.

In parallel, the Tin Alley Ventures Fund will focus on the seed stage through to the exit by partnering with university-affiliated start-ups, engaging with alumni and supporters to help the future business reach its full potential.

In these schemes, up to 20 per cent of the funding will be invested in social purpose ventures.

According to executive director research, innovation and commercialisation from the University of Melbourne Ken Jefferd, UniMelb is the first university in Australia to introduce such a funding platform along the full research commercialisation pathway from start-up to exit, through the existing $10 million Proof of Concept scheme.

“Too often, research discoveries can falter on the path to sustained societal impact due to lack of funding and expert commercial advice. 

“These new funds will offer consistent support to researchers throughout the founder’s journey from an early-stage research idea through to a successful business with positive societal impact and an ultimate exit,” Jefferd told Campus Review. 

A business creating a new product or service that benefits society is an incredible opportunity for researchers, Jefferd said, allowing them to see their ideas translated into real-world outcomes.

“The university’s enduring purpose is to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research.

“We believe it is critically important to invest in research commercialisation of new inventions and devices that improve lives, create jobs, and drive the economy.” 

Jefferd believes that academics who have successfully commercialised their discoveries often talk about how deeply and personally rewarding it is to make a difference in people’s lives.

“There is a thrill of discovering a whole new world beyond academia, refreshing autonomy, financial benefits to fund their research and personal and academic development.”

The two funds are now open for expressions of interest, and applicants are encouraged to contact their faculty’s leadership team if they wish to develop their idea further. 

The Tin Alley Venture Fund is set to run over the next decade while the Genesis Pre-Seed Fund will last five years.

As these partnerships are a first in Australia, Jefferd would like to see similar funds being established at universities across the country, which he says would help the higher education sector contribute to a "step-change" in commercialisation outcomes.

Boase and his team from QuT have been given the green light to develop a new technology that stops emerging viruses from developing and spreading through human cells during future pandemics. 

The team hopes that by ‘attacking’ the envelope of the viruses, they'll be able to block viral particles from merging with the human’s cells and stop their ability to replicate.

“If we can do that, then your immune system will eventually catch up and then kick off the rest of the viruses on the outside of the cells,” Boase told Campus Review.

“What we're trying to do is reduce the amount of infection, reduce the infection chance and more, by targeting the virus rather than necessarily training the immune system.” 

According to the researcher, most viruses need to fuse with the human cell to be able to develop further and propagate. 

The team will try to use polymer and long chain molecules to target the viral envelope that usually merges with the cell and, in doing so, deactivate the viruses. 

“As long as the virus has an envelope we're hoping that our polymers will be effective against them,” Boase said. 

“We are looking at it on the molecular scale. How can we get these polymer molecules to do this deactivation of the viruses, and how does that work?"

According to Boase, this new technique could target any viruses dangerous to the human race as long as they have a ‘casing’.

“We're targeting the really specific strain areas, it won't just target Influenza, COVID, or Monkeypox. 

“It is an exciting new project. Nobody really looked at this with polymers, and I think there's a natural ability for them to be very effective in this area,” he added.

For as long as he can remember, Boase turned to science to find answers about how the world around him worked. 

It was through university summer research project schemes that he found his niche. By the time he graduated, he had already participated in multiple projects that each contributed to his career.

“The research scheme got me into nanoscience and polymers, and then it gave me the opportunity to participate in a nanomedicine focused project – it has just fascinated me ever since.”

Before venturing into viruses research, Boase had focused on nanomedicines for cancer and antibacterial coatings for infections. 

During the pandemic he rethought his career trajectory and developed the idea to use polymers and nanomedicine to target the viruses envelope. 

Funded by the US Department of Defense via a $US200,000 Discovery grant scheme, the team will have two years to investigate their hypothesis. 

It’s a blessing for Boase, who couldn’t have dreamed of getting that much funding while being in the early stages of his career. 

“All the department is interested in is completely new research ideas, you don't need a track record and you're not competing with people that have 20, 30 years’ worth of papers behind them.

“They're really just interested in getting new ideas back into the scientific literature that might benefit their personnel or their veterans,” Boase said. 

“Which means, this is a brand new area for us too.”

Over the long run, Boase hopes that the research will ‘revolutionise’ antiviral therapeutics goods and prevent future pandemics by helping people that are already affected or even prophylaxis in an area likely to be infected.

“We're hoping it will be like a rapid therapeutic that can be deployed directly and that it'll provide some relief early on when a new viral pandemic emerges that we have no therapy or vaccine for.”

In Australia, the interaction between polymers and virus membranes is a new research area that Boase believes will be beneficial in other medicine and drug delivery, as well as therapeutics and testing. 

In addition to looking at how polymers can deactivate emerging viruses, the QuT team will also have a background focus around inflammation and immune response to viral infections, which will also have a benefit outside of this project directly, Boase said. 

The project recently received $5m in funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Research Collaboration Program and will be run from both the industry partner Cann Group’s manufacturing site in Mildura and La Trobe’s ARC MedAg Hub in Bundoora, Melbourne.

It’s a ‘first of its kind’ project according to lead researcher and professor from the La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food, Tony Bacic.

“This is an unusual and unique situation for us because, generally in broad acre agriculture, when we try and take work from the bench into the field, it quite often doesn't translate very effectively,” Bacic told Campus Review.

“This is the first project where we've actually got research happening in a manufacturing facility, a controlled environment. It is a big plus.”

With this research, Bacic and the team aims to develop not only the growing protected cropping industry,  currently worth $1.3 billion to the economy and employing more than 10,000 people, but also develop Australia's medicinal cannabis market, new technologies such as plant imaging technology and improve extraction in medicinal plants.

“Currently, medicinal cannabis products are being sourced and accessed from overseas. We need to set up an Australian supply chain,” said Bacic.

“As the Mildura facility is linked up with high speed internet, we are able to work remotely, and develop remote imaging technologies to be used to detect early symptoms of disease or look at yield and stress level in the plant.

“We're also working with our industry partner to optimise extraction processes. We'll be setting up pilot scale facilities to optimise yield and quality of cannabinoids.”

According to Bacic, this new research project will also provide training courses and increase the skilled workforce in this industry in Australia.

“We have also partnered with PharmOut; an industry leader in training and compliance for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), who have been developing specialised courses for training in the medicinal cannabis space.

“These courses will then be delivered at both TAFE and university level,” added Bacic.

Bacic believes that students who are part of the project will benefit from working with an industry partner.

“Getting hands-on experience is a big step towards getting a job ultimately, and it's an industry that's expected to have several thousand jobs in terms of medicinal cannabis.

“The protected cropping market is expanding, and probably even the broader area of horticulture.

“We're really about training the highly skilled workforce for the future that's going to be needed, which is all very high tech, and that's in order to optimise yield and quality for all sorts of different products,” said Bacic.

In addition, industry partner Cann Group will develop regional work as they are planning to employ up to 140 people locally.

Working with medicinal cannabis plants is only the first step for La Trobe’s ARC MedAg Hub, as it aims to develop Australia’s position in the medicinal plant industry worldwide.

“We're expanding it out and trying to look at other potential products in medicinal agriculture. For example, there's a lot of interest now in psilocybin, the psychedelic drugs from mushrooms,” said Bacic.

“We see this opportunity for Australia to be a world leader in medicinal agricultural production; not just with medicinal cannabis but with opiates, psilocybin and other products as well.”