26 May 2015
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The Commonwealth government has announced new national Science and Research Priorities and corresponding Practical Research Challenges, designed “to increase investment in areas of immediate and critical importance to Australia and its place in the world.”
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The nine cross-disciplinary priorities are food, soil and water, transport, cybersecurity, energy, resources, advanced manufacturing, environmental change and health.
The government notes that, like other countries, Australia’s capacity to support research is finite. With diverse investments in research across multiple agencies and many processes, it is necessary to ensure that we build our capacity to pursue research of particular importance to us as a nation.
Universities Australia has commended the Federal Government’s setting of the science and research priorities.
Anne-Marie Lansdown, Deputy Chief Executive of Universities Australia, the announcement underlines the critical role of science and research in solving national challenges and improving the productivity and prosperity of Australia.
Research is vital to all aspects of ensuring Australia’s future, as is evidenced by the breadth and diversity of the priorities announced [26 May 2015].
Australia’s universities are undertaking research every day that improves people’s lives, from developing ground-breaking new medical treatments, to creating innovative technologies that transform how we work.
Universities Australia hopes that the priorities will lead to increased public investment in science and research, with targeted funding to address these critical areas.