Friday 26 May 2017

Edith Cowan and Curtin universities winners from Next Generation Technologies Fund

Senator for Western Australia, Linda Reynolds today congratulated Edith Cowan and Curtin universities who will receive $290,000 in project funding to develop game-changing capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.

Senator Reynolds said the funding was part of a $5.7 million allocation to Australian universities under the Next Generation Technologies Fund aimed at engaging industry and academia to research priority areas identified in the 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement.

“The Next Generation Technologies Fund is valued at $730 million and allows us to draw on the expertise in Australian universities to initiate research into emerging technologies of interest to Defence,” she said.

“This funding is recognition of the significant capabilities resident in Western Australia’s research sector.

“Edith Cowan University will receive $197,000 to undertake research on two cyber security projects and Curtin University will receive $86,000 to develop space capabilities.

Senator Reynolds said universities were matched on the basis of their capabilities in the priority areas and the quality of their proposals.

“The new defence project funding will lift the level of collaboration between Defence and academia, stimulate innovation and is strongly aligned with the National Innovation and Science Agenda.”

The Next Generation Technologies Fund complements the Defence Innovation Hub as the two core initiatives of the new Defence Innovation System outlined in the Government’s Defence Industry Policy Statement.

For more information visit www.business.gov.au/cdic.

Ends – Media Contact – Amy Blom  08 9477 5411