$12 million funding boost aids research

Research

The University of Adelaide has received more than $12 million in funding from the Australian Research Council, with a heavy focus on earth, environmental and fundamental sciences.

In all, the University was awarded 33 Discovery Grants worth $9,789,557, with total funding achieved across all grant areas amounting to $12,871,992.

Of the 33 Discovery Grants, 21 were in the Faculty of Sciences, with 47% of those going to environmental science research. There was also a strong concentration of funding to fundamental science research projects.

"Our understanding of the natural world and how it has evolved to this point is vital to understanding our impact as humans, and the impact our environment can have on us," said Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha.

"The University of Adelaide's success across earth, environmental and fundamental science areas marks us as a leader in these areas, working on research with practical implications for society."

As well as receiving strong funding for its environment-based research, the University also performed well in the fundamental sciences underpinning all science-based research.

Linkage grants were awarded to nine University of Adelaide researchers, tying their research to industry interest areas in partnerships with companies including Lend Lease, Dupont-Pioneer, Australian Olive Oil Brokerage and Flinders Diamonds Ltd, as well as a number of government departments and authorities.

Professor Alan Cooper, Professor Steve Tyerman and Professor Tony Williams were all successful in achieving grants across Discovery and Linkage areas, worth $585,999, $410,000 and $1,070,000 respectively.

A number of early-career researchers from the University of Adelaide were also recognised by
the ARC.

Story by Lisa Reid