Australian Research Council Act 2001 Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2004 (Cth)
Special Research Initiatives
Funding Rules for Funding commencing in
2004
Australian Research Council
Special Research Initiatives
Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2004
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Description
3.1. Types of initiative supported
3.2. National Research Priorities
4. Eligibility
5. Funding
6. Cross-program funding
7. Application process
7.1. Applications
7.2. How to complete and submit applications
8. Selection and approval process
8.1. Assessment and selection
8.2. Ministerial approval
8.3. Offer of funding
9. Appeals
10. Administration of funding
10.1. Funding Agreement
11. Other matters
11.1. Applicable law
11.2. Confidentiality
11.3. Intellectual property
11.4. Incomplete or misleading information
11.5. Insurance and liabilities
11.6. Contact points
Appendix 1. Eligible Higher Education Institutions
Appendix 2. Descriptions of Designated National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals
Ethics
All research proposals should conform with the principles outlined in the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997) (at and, as applicable, the principles outlined in the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans (at: and the principles outlined in the NHMRC’s codes on animal research (at
Acknowledging ARC support
The ARC expects that research funded by the ARC will be appropriately acknowledged.
When, at any time during or after completion of a Project, the institution, organisation or researcher publishes material, books, articles, television or radio programs, newsletters or other literary or artistic works which relate to the Project and/or Fellowship, the Institution or researcher shall acknowledge, at a prominent place in the publication, the support of the ARC in a form acceptable to the ARC.
Advice on acceptable forms of acknowledgement and use of the logo is provided on the ARC website at
Acronyms
The following acronyms are used in ARC Funding Rules.
| AEST | Australian Eastern Standard Time |
| AIMS | Australian Institute of Marine Science |
| ANSTO | Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation |
| APA | Australian Postgraduate Award |
| APAI | Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) |
| APD | Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship |
| APDC | Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (CSIRO) |
| APDI | Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry) |
| APF | Australian Professorial Fellowship |
| ARC | Australian Research Council |
| ARCIF | Australian Research Council International Fellowship |
| ARF | Australian Research Fellowship |
| AVCC | Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee |
| CI | Chief Investigator |
| CSIRO | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |
| DSTO | Defence Science and Technology Organisation |
| EAC | Expert Advisory Committee |
| ECR | Early Career Researcher |
| GA | Geoscience Australia |
| GAMS | Grant Application Management System |
| GST | Goods and Services Tax |
| HECS | Higher Education Contribution Scheme |
| KCTR | Key Centre for Teaching and Research |
| LASP | Learned Academies Special Projects |
| LIEF | Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Program |
| LIF | Linkage Industry Fellowship |
| NC | Network Convenor |
| NCGP | National Competitive Grants Program |
| NHMRC | National Health and Medical Research Council |
| NP | Network Participant |
| PI | Partner Investigator |
| QEII | Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship |
| RIEF | Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme |
| SPIRT | Strategic Partnerships with Industry – Research and Training |
| SRC | Special Research Centres |
| SRI | Special Research Initiatives |
Australian Research Council
Special Research Initiatives
Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2004
Introduction
These guidelines set out the funding rules under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 for the Special Research Initiatives (SRI) program.
The ARC takes a proactive role in identifying specific initiatives to be undertaken in this program. Initiatives may be identified by the ARC in consultation with institutions, professional organisations and peak bodies representing higher education communities. Initiatives may result from ARC Discipline Cluster Reviews or other discipline research strategies, from reviews of National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) outcomes in a particular field or from other reviews or reports of a similar nature. The ARC expects that some initiatives will be identified by ARC Expert Advisory Committees in the course of their work on NCGP programs. In providing advice to government on Australian research, the ARC may identify initiatives to be funded under SRI.
Because of its proactive role in identifying initiatives and the diverse nature of the initiatives to be funded under SRI, the ARC may invite applications from one or more parties (who may include researchers, consultants and facilitators).
Applications for SRI funding may be submitted only when invited by the ARC.
Objectives
Special Research Initiatives (SRI) aims to support activities which:
- encourage greater collaboration among Australian researchers;
- encourage the development of international research linkages;
- encourage the co-operative development of high quality research capacity in emerging areas; and
- enhance the scale and focus of research in Priority Areas (refer to Item 3.2).
Description
3.1. Types of initiative supported
Funding under the scheme is available to support activities related to high-quality research endeavour in all fields, including the social sciences and humanities as well as the natural sciences and engineering, supported under the NCGP.
Specifically, SRI funding supports:
- co-operative activities among researchers;
- co-operative development of national and international linkages;
- co-operative development of innovative research areas;
- rapid response to contingencies, e.g. field work at an erupting volcano; and
- other activities which the ARC judges to be consistent with the Scheme’s objectives.
Activities may include, but are not restricted to, one-off conferences, workshops, seminars and development of networks, where the purpose is to initiate collaboration that would not otherwise occur and, where appropriate, the dissemination of the outcomes of the collaborative activities funded under the Scheme. The scheme does not fund research per se.
3.2. National Research Priorities
The Minister for Education, Science and Training has designated the following areas as national research priorities for the 2005 funding round:
- Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia
- Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health
- Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries
- Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia
These areas of research will be referred to as Designated National Research Priorities. Within each Research Priority is a number of Priority Goals which are listed below:
- Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia
Priority Goals
-PG 1 Water – a critical resource
-PG 2 Transforming existing industries
-PG 3 Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity
-PG 4 Reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation
-PG 5 Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity
-PG 6 Developing deep earth resources
- Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health
Priority Goals
-PG 1 A healthy start to life
-PG 2 Ageing well, ageing productively
-PG 3 Preventive healthcare
- Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries
Priority Goals
-PG 1 Breakthrough science
-PG 2 Frontier technologies
-PG 3 Advanced materials
-PG 4 Smart information use
- Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia
Priority Goals
-PG 1 Critical infrastructure
-PG 2 Protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests
-PG 3 Protecting Australia from terrorism and crime
-PG 4 Transformational defence technologies
Full descriptions of these Designated National Research Priorities and their associated Priority Goals can be found in Appendix 2, and on the ARC web site (
Eligibility
Funding under the Special Research Initiatives scheme may be awarded to a higher education institution or any other organisation. All institutions listed at Appendix 1 are eligible for funding under the Special Research Initiatives Scheme.
Funding
Normally, funding will be provided only for one-off or seed activities. Funding is normally awarded for one year.
Cross-program funding
[This Item is not relevant to SRI]
Application process
Applications may be submitted only when invited by the ARC.
7.1. Applications
The ARC may identify and promote activities suitable for funding, and call for applications from relevant groups or individuals. Applications will include:
- an outline of the activity or activities being proposed;
- a statement on how these activities will meet the program objectives;
- an indication of the funding sought, relative to the total cost of the proposed activity;
- financial and in-kind contributions from participating institutions and from other sources.
At the time of inviting applications the ARC will set, and advise prospective applicants about, the relevant timeframes for the:
- closure of applications;
- assessment process; and
- notification to applicants of the outcome of the assessment process.
7.2. How to complete and submit applications
When applications are invited they must be submitted on the application form. At the time of calling for SRI applications the ARC will advise whether or not the on-line application form in the ARC’s Grants Application Management System (GAMS) must be used. The ARC will also advise about the requirements for signed paper copies.
All proposals and applications must be signed by the Chief Investigator and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or delegate, or equivalent in other administering organisations.
Applications should be sent:
by mail, to
Special Research Initiatives (Program Coordinator)
Disciplines and Programs
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
by courier, to
Special Research Initiatives (Program Coordinator)
Disciplines and Programs
Australian Research Council
Geoscience Australia Building
cnr Hindmarsh Drive and
Jerrabomberra Avenue
SYMONSTON ACT 2609
Selection and approval process
8.1. Assessment and selection
Applications will be assessed by the ARC using the following criteria:
- the likelihood that the activity will meet the Scheme’s objectives and the objectives of the specific initiative;
- the range of collaboration involved;
- financial and in-kind contributions to be made by the participating organisations;
where appropriate, funding from other sources; and - the expected results of the activity.
Applications will be assessed by the ARC. The ARC reserves to the right to recommend applications for funding and to recommend the funding to be offered to successful applicants. The ARC reserves the right not to recommend any application for funding should no suitable application be forthcoming.
8.2. Ministerial approval
A recommendation from the ARC Board is sent to the Minister for consideration. The Minister determines if the application will be offered funding. The Minister’s decision is final.
8.3. Offer of funding
The successful administering organisation will be notified in a letter of offer that will indicate the funding to be provided and will include the Funding Agreement.
Appeals
[This Item is not relevant to SRI.]
Administration of funding
10.1. Funding Agreement
The successful applicants must accept the terms of the Funding Agreement and the administering institution or organisation must sign the Funding Agreement before payments can be made. The Funding Agreement must be signed by the administering institution or organisation within one month of the offer of the Funding Agreement. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal of the offer of funding.
Administering institutions or organisations should note that the Funding Agreement covers the post-award management, including reporting requirements and financial management.
Other matters
11.1. Applicable law
The ARC is required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Information about the Privacy Act is available at contained in applications is regarded as confidential unless otherwise stated and, subject to the need to provide applications to assessors, and statutory requirements for the ARC to provide information to Parliament and other organisations, applications will be received and treated as confidential.
Notwithstanding the above, the ARC may publicise and report offers or awards of funding, including information about the proposed research, the name and institution of any applicant, the identity of the administering Institution and any other institution or organisation involved in the project, the title and summary descriptions of the project and its intended outcomes, and the level and nature of financial assistance from the ARC.
11.3. Intellectual property
Applicants must agree to comply with the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (available at and act in accordance with any intellectual property policies of the applicant’s institution.
11.4. Incomplete or misleading information
It is a serious offence to provide false or misleading information to the Commonwealth.
If an application is incomplete, inaccurate or contains misleading information, it may be excluded from any further consideration for funding.
If the ARC believes that omissions or inclusion of misleading information are intentional, or if there is evidence of malpractice, the ARC will refer the matter for investigation with a view to prosecution under Commonwealth criminal law. The Australian Government is committed to protecting its revenue, expenditure and property from any attempt, by members of the public, contractors, sub-contractors, agents, intermediaries or its own employees, to gain financial or other benefits by deceit.
Examples of malpractice include, but are not restricted to:
- providing fictitious track records; or
- falsifying claims in publications records (such as describing a paper as accepted for publication when it has only been submitted).
11.5. Insurance and liabilities
Institutions are subject to the liability, indemnity and insurance provisions of the Funding Agreement. The draft Funding Agreement can be viewed on the ARC website ( points
For further information, the institution’s Research Office should be contacted in the first instance.
Enquiries about SRI may be addressed to:
Special Research Initiatives (Program Coordinator)
Disciplines and Programs
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 6284 6600
Fax: 02 6284 6638
Web: 1. Eligible Higher Education Institutions
New South Wales
Charles Sturt University
Macquarie University
Southern Cross University
The University of New England
The University of New South Wales
The University of Newcastle
The University of Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
University of Western Sydney
University of Wollongong
Victoria
Deakin University
La Trobe University
Melbourne College of Divinity
Monash University
RMIT University
Swinburne University of Technology
The University of Melbourne
University of Ballarat
Victoria University
Queensland
Bond University
Central Queensland University
Griffith University
James Cook University
Queensland University of Technology
The University of Queensland
The University of the Sunshine Coast
University of Southern Queensland
Western Australia
Curtin University of Technology
Edith Cowan University
Murdoch University
The University of Notre Dame Australia
The University of Western Australia
South Australia
The Flinders University of South Australia
The University of Adelaide
University of South Australia
Tasmania
Australian Maritime College
University of Tasmania
Northern Territory
Charles Darwin University
Batchelor College
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian National University
University of Canberra
Multi-State
Australian Catholic University
Appendix 2. Descriptions of Designated National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals
Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia
Transforming the way we use our land, water, mineral and energy resources through a better understanding of environmental systems and using new technologies.
Natural resources have traditionally fuelled our national and regional economies. They have the potential to generate further wealth and employment opportunities in the future.
But our natural resources and biodiversity must be used on a sustainable basis so that the benefits continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
Australia faces significant environmental challenges:
- Efficient and sustainable water use is a critically important issue for our economic and social development;
- Significant land degradation issues, such as salinity, need to be arrested to underpin our agricultural production systems;
- Climate change can be expected to have complex, long term consequences for the environment, and for our agricultural and marine production systems; and
- The cleanliness and efficiency of our energy production systems should be enhanced.
There is substantial effort underway to develop more efficient water utilisation practices, to protect our rivers and groundwater resources, and to protect and remediate our fragile soils.
Our agricultural and mining industries are being transformed through the adoption of new technologies, and the development of new types of foods.
This will help to revitalise our regional communities and generate substantial export earnings for the nation over the coming decades.
The Government is committed to meeting the greenhouse gas emissions target set for Australia at Kyoto.
Australia is well placed to take an international lead in developing new and improved energy technologies and in capturing and ‘sequestering’ carbon dioxide.
Other opportunities lie in managing and using our unique, rich land- and marine-based biodiversity, and in developing our deep earth resources.
Australia has a strong record of achievement in research in fields such as agriculture, natural resource management, climate change, horticulture, forestry, mining, energy, and marine sciences.
We must build on these strengths to improve our competitive advantages while enhancing our understanding of natural systems and the interplay of human activities.
To understand and manage these complex interactions better will require significant collaboration within the research community and with other stakeholders.
Priority goals for research fall in the six areas of water utilisation, transforming resource-based industries, overcoming land degradation, developing cleaner, more efficient fuels and energy sources, managing biodiversity and deep earth resources.
Priority Goals
Water – a critical resource
Ways of using less water in agriculture and other industries, providing increased protection of rivers and groundwater and the re-use of urban and industrial waste waters.
Australia is one of the driest continents and is dependent upon access to freshwater supplies for economic and social development. It has a complex geological structure and unique ecosystems, flora and fauna. Enhancing our understanding of the links between water availability and these factors will result in a better understanding of sustainable water management practices.
Transforming existing industries
New technologies for resource-based industries to deliver substantial increases in national wealth by reducing environmental impacts on land and sea.
Resource-based industries underpin much of Australia’s prosperity and have the potential to do so in the future. For example, Australia remains highly prospective for minerals discoveries and highly attractive for the development of new era foods from agricultural and marine sources. Our competitive advantage will depend on research and new technologies.
Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity
Identifying causes and solutions to land degradation using a multidisciplinary approach (examples include incorporating hydrology, geology, biology and climatology) to restore land surfaces.
The Australian landscape is fragile: soil salinity, acidity, and nutrient levels pose significant, long term challenges for agriculture and the environment. Research is helping to find solutions to these problems. For example, the National Land and Water Resources Audit shows the extent of salinity in the Australian environment and illustrates Australia’s leading edge in national mapping of critical resource data.
Reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation
Alternative transport technologies and clean combustion and efficient new power generation systems and capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide.
Australia is well positioned to produce world class solutions to reduce and capture greenhouse gas emissions and the Government is committed to meeting the emissions target set for Australia at Kyoto. We are also well placed to develop alternative energy technologies and ecologically sustainable transport and power generation systems.
Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity
Managing and protecting Australia’s terrestrial and marine biodiversity to develop long term use of ecosystem goods and services ranging from fisheries to ecotourism.
Australia has a unique and rich flora and fauna. Our complex ecosystems are resilient and have adapted to events such as drought and fire, and underpin the health of our agricultural, fisheries and tourism industries. There is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of these natural systems and the interplay with human activities.
Developing deep earth resources
Smart high-technology exploration methodologies, including imaging and mapping the deep earth and ocean floors, and novel efficient ways of commodity extraction and processing (examples include minerals, oil and gas).
Many of Australia’s known mineral assets may be nearly exhausted within the next decade. New land-based deposits are believed to be buried deeper in the crust and the deep marine areas surrounding Australia are also largely unexplored. New technologies, such as remote sensing, indicate scientists are on the brink of being able to ‘see’ inside the earth and identify deeply buried deposits.
Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health
Promoting good health and preventing disease, particularly among young and older Australians
Average life expectancies have increased markedly in recent decades. Australians also expect to lead longer and healthier lives in the future, and to remain productive and independent over an extended period.
Enhancing the health outcomes of Australians will yield economic and social benefits and add materially to national well-being.
Australians expect that their children and grandchildren should have a healthy start to life.
Developing strategies to promote the healthy development of young Australians, and reducing the impact of the genetic, social and environmental factors which diminish their life potential will be critical.
A revolution is also underway at the other end of the life cycle. Australia, like many other developed nations, is undergoing a major demographic shift involving significant growth in the aged population.
To meet this challenge, it will be important to promote healthy ageing by developing better social and medical strategies to ensure that older Australians enjoy healthy and productive lives.
Informed insights into the causes of disease and of mental and physical degeneration will contribute to the achievement of this goal.
All Australians stand to benefit from preventive healthcare through the adoption of healthier attitudes, habits and lifestyles.
Evidence-based preventive interventions may help reduce the incidence and severity of many diseases, including major health problems such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, mental ill-health, obesity, diabetes, asthma and chronic inflammatory conditions.
Improvements in the health and well being of the young, of older Australians and in preventive healthcare will be underpinned by research.
However, while Australia has an enviable record in health and medical research, the research effort is spread across the many universities, hospitals and health and medical research institutes, resulting in critical mass only in limited areas of research.
There is also a need to draw on multi-disciplinary approaches that include research contributions from the social sciences and humanities.
This priority is designed to promote health and prevent disease through a more focused and collaborative effort.
Priority goals for research fall in the three areas of a healthy start to life, ageing well, ageing productively, and health promotion and disease prevention healthcare.
Priority Goals
A healthy start to life
Reducing the impact of genetic, social and environmental factors predisposing infants and children to ill health and reducing their life potential.
Human health in the developing foetus and in early childhood is absolutely critical to the future well being of the adult. Research shows that health and well being in early childhood is predictive of later positive outcomes, and that health in middle and late childhood is also crucial. This goal fits well with the Government’s National Agenda for Early Childhood initiative.
Ageing well, ageing productively
Developing new and better social and medical strategies to reduce mental and physical degeneration based on greater knowledge and understanding of the causes of disease and degeneration of mind and body.
Australia’s population is ageing, with a significant projected increase in the number of people aged over 65 and over 85. While Australia is relatively well placed compared with many other OECD nations, major shifts in cultural expectations and attitude are necessary to respond constructively to ageing, at both an individual and population level. This goal fits well with the Government’s National Strategy for an Ageing Australia. A healthy aged population will actively contribute to the life of the nation through participation in the labour market or through voluntary work.
Preventive healthcare
New evidence-based strategies to promote healthy attitudes, habits and lifestyles and to develop new health-promoting foods and nutraceuticals.
Preventive healthcare research will improve the prediction and prevention of disease and injury through the adoption of healthier behaviours, lifestyles and environments. Research will generate an improvement in the design, delivery and uptake of programs such as exercise-based rehabilitation. There are several major disease targets amenable to immediate study, such as cardiovascular health, neurodegenerative diseases, mental ill-health, obesity, diabetes, asthma and chronic inflammatory conditions. Research in prevention will emphasise interdisciplinary research, drawing on contributions from the social sciences and humanities, as well as from the health and medical sciences.
Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries
Stimulating the growth of world–class Australian industries using innovative technologies developed from cutting–edge research
Wealth often derives from the unforeseen application of new discoveries.
Australia must be at the leading edge if it is to stay abreast of international developments and take advantage of opportunities.
Our national capabilities in emerging sciences and their underpinning disciplines determine our capacity to develop and implement new technologies.
Australia has a strong base of expertise, skills and technological capacities in the fundamental sciences and key technologies.
Our strengths are in a wide range of areas such as biotechnology, material sciences, information and communications technology (ICT), photonics, nanotechnology and sensor technology.
ICT is currently the critical enabling technology and is a major contributor to national productivity and growth.
But breakthrough science underpins technological advancements in many areas and Australia needs to foster an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation.
Applications for frontier technologies are potentially very large. Australia has the capacity to exploit niche markets for new products and services.
Australia also has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials and must grasp the opportunity to stay ahead.
Smart information use involving improved data management, intelligent transport systems and creative applications for digital technologies provides huge opportunities to improve the performance of key Australian industries.
Australia needs to invest in this research area as it is fundamental to our future competitiveness and well being.
This priority will help to strengthen the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in new areas of research, enhance Australia’s international scientific reputation, stimulate local expertise, and help create vibrant new industries.
Enhanced research effort will also be achieved through initiatives that develop a critical mass of researchers in key areas.
Priority goals for research fall in the four areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies, advanced materials and smart information use.
Priority Goals
Breakthrough science
Better understanding of the fundamental processes that will advance knowledge and develop technological innovations (examples include bio-informatics, nano-assembly, quantum computing and geo-informatics).
Breakthrough science underpins technological innovation across a range of industries critical to maintaining Australia’s position as a developed country. Some examples include bio- and geo-informatics, nano-assembly and quantum computing. Technological advances are often unexpected and a strong foundation in mathematics and the fundamental sciences will provide an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Early participation in leading edge areas of research will enable Australian researchers to benefit more fully from international developments.
Frontier technologies
Enhanced capacity in frontier technologies to power world-class industries of the future and build on Australia’s strengths in research and innovation (examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT, photonics, genomics/phenomics, and complex systems).
The potential applications of frontier technologies across a range of industries in Australia are vast. Australia has significant capacity to exploit niche markets for new products and services emerging from frontier technologies. Australia has world-class research expertise in many such areas. Some examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT, photonics, genomics and phenomics. Also important are advanced frameworks such as complex systems in which these technologies are applied. Future directions in this priority area need to target the cutting-edge science critical for each emerging technology.
Advanced materials
Advanced materials for applications in construction, communications, transport, agriculture and medicine (examples include ceramics, organics, biomaterials, smart material and fabrics, composites, polymers and light metals).
The development of advanced materials will underpin growth in many areas of industrial and economic activity in Australia. Australia has substantial infrastructure in this area and an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. The era of advanced materials is just beginning in spite of the tremendous progress in recent years. Substantial scientific and technological challenges remain ahead, including the development of more sophisticated and specialised materials. Some examples include ceramics, organics, biomaterials, smart materials and fabrics, composites, polymers, and light metals.
Smart information use
Improved data management for existing and new business applications and creative applications for digital technologies (examples include e-finance, multimedia, content generation and imaging).
ICT applications are providing huge opportunities to deliver new systems, products, business solutions, and to make more efficient use of infrastructure. Examples include e-finance, multimedia, content generation and imaging. Improved data management is central to the future competitiveness of key industries such as agriculture, biotechnology, finance, banking, education, transport, government, health and ‘infotainment’. The ability of organisations to operate virtually and collaborate across huge distances in Australia and internationally hinges on our capabilities in this area. Research is also needed to exploit the huge potential in the digital media industry.
Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia
Safeguarding Australia from terrorism, crime, invasive diseases and pests, and securing our infrastructure, particularly with respect to our digital systems
The importance of security and safety to Australia has been underscored by recent events.
Australia has to be capable of anticipating and tackling critical threats to society, strategic areas of the national economy and the environment.
The threats can potentially come from within and outside Australia.
The world is now characterised by the widespread and rapid movements of people, digitally coded data, goods and services, and exotic biological agents.
Critical infrastructure in Australia is increasingly dependent on digital technology for its management and integration.
Information protection and the integrity of security systems are now more important than ever before.
It is also necessary to protect the status of Australia as a nation free of many of the diseases affecting primary production around the world.
Terrorism has emerged as a very real global threat and crime is taking a significant toll on Australian society and economy.
Maintaining the operational advantage of Australia’s defence forces through superior capabilities is also fundamental to our national security.
Leading edge research in Australia is already yielding high dividends and as a national research priority will improve the effectiveness of that contribution.
Stronger research capabilities will ensure that solutions are tailored to Australia’s unique circumstances, reflecting its geographic features and small population.
Greater collaboration within the research community and with other stakeholders will allow us to better understand and manage potential threats to Australia.
Harnessing the knowledge and capabilities across Australia offers us the best chance of developing innovative and rapid solutions to serious threats.
Australia’s international relations and its regional influence will be strengthened through new science and technologies that enhance security and safety.
The heightened interest in personal and electronic security across the world also provides opportunities for Australian solutions.
Priority goals for research fall in the four areas of critical infrastructure, protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests, protecting Australia from terrorism and crime, and transformational defence technologies.
Priority goals
Critical infrastructure
Protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure including our financial, energy, computing and transport systems.
Protecting our critical infrastructure is important to national security and to the social and economic well being of Australia. An important aspect of this priority goal is e-security which is an enabler of e-commerce. Maintaining a critical mass of research in e-security will be essential in providing Australia with the tools to protect our way of life.
Protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests
Counteract the impact of invasive species through the application of new technologies and by integrating approaches across agencies and jurisdictions.
Australia is free of many of the pests and diseases affecting primary production around the world. This status needs to be protected as the introduction of exotic species has the potential to adversely affect our exports and the environment. Australia already has strong skills and expertise in this area of research and further work will offer immediate benefits to the community. A greater level of coordination of our research effort will mean that Australia can more effectively develop innovative and rapid solutions to serious threats.
Protecting Australia from terrorism and crime
By promoting a healthy and diverse Research and Development system that supports core competencies in modern and rapid identification techniques.
Protecting Australia from terrorism is now more important than ever before in light of recent events and our involvement in the ‘war on terror’. Crime takes a significant toll on Australian society and economy. The June 2000 report from the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council estimated that crime costs Australia at least $18 billion per annum. Personal identification, information protection and the integrity of security systems are fundamental towards ensuring the national security of Australia. An effective solution will include building on Australia’s existing strengths in rapid detection using new analytical technologies and managing significant data collections.
Transformational defence technologies
Transform military operations for the defence of Australia by providing superior technologies, better information and improved ways of operation.
Australia has a small defence force to protect a large continent and a substantial maritime region of responsibility. Its operational advantage has been maintained through a superior capability which is dependent on leveraging innovative technologies. Although some benefits can be gained from overseas research, Australia has to conduct its own research to address uniquely Australian demands. A systems approach which harnesses the research capabilities of all stakeholders is essential to the successful development and introduction of innovative technologies.
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