$15 million for new Uni of Adelaide research

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

World-class researchers at the University of Adelaide have been awarded $15.4 million in Federal funding for new discoveries in fields such as physics, the environment, agriculture, law, linguistics, population studies and engineering.

In all, 43 new grants have been won by the University of Adelaide, thanks to funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) announced this morning by the Minister for Education, the Hon. Christopher Pyne.

The new funding includes:

• $10.6 million for 28 Discovery projects;
• $3.5 million for 10 Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards;
• $1.3 million for five Linkage, Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities grants.

This brings the total ARC funding awarded to the University of Adelaide this year to more than $37 million, a 12% increase on 2013, and represents more than 60% of all funding awarded in the State.

The 28 new Discovery projects include:

• $408,600 awarded to a team led by Associate Professor Jeremy Austin to develop high throughput DNA sequencing for use in human identification, such as for disaster victims, missing persons cases or in counter-terrorism;
• $431,200 to a team led by Professor Mike McLaughlin for research that underpins the development of new, more effective fertilisers for agricultural use;
• $357,700 to a team led by Dr Rob Amery to conduct a detailed analysis of how the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal language has changed over 100 years since it was first documented; and
• $611,800 to a team led by Professor Gus Nathan for research into next-generation solar energy technology.

The University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mike Brooks, says: "Today's funding announcement confirms that our researchers are conducting work of the highest quality. This is research that will deliver significant national benefit.

"At a time when competition for research funding in Australia is fierce, it is pleasing that the University of Adelaide has seen an increase in funding compared with last year's success.

"The University of Adelaide continues to provide research leadership in South Australia, with our academics driving much of the research that is addressing the State's strategic priorities," Professor Brooks says.

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