Focus on university research and training

Indexation arrangements, described by the Federal Government as "more generous", will inject an extra $367 million over the next four years to help universities meet the cost of quality research and training.

The government will invest $1.63 billion in research and research training in Australia's higher education sector under this year's university block grant funding allocation.

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans, says investing in researchers and innovators, and providing support for Australia’s universities, is fundamental to building a stronger and smarter nation.

Senator Evans says the funding will support cutting edge research in fields like cancer, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The number of Federally supported postgraduate places has doubled over the last four years to 33,000 in 2011. The government has doubled the number of Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) which provide support to outstanding research students.

Senator Evans says the investment will produce the innovators and researchers who will support a prosperous nation, provide new opportunities, and "answer the big questions of today and tomorrow".

A list of 2012 Research Block Grants is available at:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/research/researchblockgrants/Pages/default.aspx