Global fund will strengthen regional science and technology capability

March 20, 2024

Joint release: Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and Australian Academy of Science 

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), in collaboration with the Australian Academy of Science, will deliver $6 million in grants to strengthen science and technology collaboration with regional neighbours as part of the Australian Government’s $40 million Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund.

Announced today by the Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, the grants of up to $1 million each are available to Australian researchers and businesses to partner with counterparts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Brazil.

The grants focus on national priorities such as advanced manufacturing, AI, quantum computing, hydrogen production and RNA vaccines and aim to grow international collaboration in our region and drive innovation and commercialisation in priority areas.

ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said the grants have been designed to help create a modern, safe, sustainable and healthy Australia and world by focusing on areas where Australia has a competitive edge.

“The program will create links between Australia’s emerging and current STEM leaders and global partners, and give them access to international networks that can boost respective capabilities, economies, and build our international science and technology cooperation in a win, win, win,” ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said.

The Academies have a strong commitment to international engagement with a long history of global initiatives successfully delivering results for Australian science and technology.

ATSE is proud to lead and collaborate with the Academy of Science to deliver this new initiative, funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Australian Academy of Science Chief Executive, Anna-Maria Arabia said the Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund will support international scientific collaboration and diplomacy precisely when it is needed the most.

“By identifying and supporting strategic international science and research collaborations, the fund will play a pivotal role in advancing the science and technology landscape in our region,” Ms Arabia said.

The Learned Academies will draw on their expert Fellowships to support Australian researchers and innovators to build global science and technology collaborations, amplify commercialisation potential and strengthen Australia’s standing as a global science leader.

Expressions of interest can be submitted through the grant website. An information session will be held in the week of the 1st of April 2024.