Media Release

$325 Million funding package recognises Adelaide's research expertise

Adelaide University's research expertise - particularly in the field of environmental science - has been recognised in the latest round of major research funding announced by the Commonwealth Government today.

Adelaide University will be a partner in five of the 19 Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) which will receive $325 million in Commonwealth funding over the next seven years. This brings to 14 the total number of CRCs in which the University is a participant.

Three of the CRCs are new: - the CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity; the CRC for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration; and the CRC for Smart Internet Technology.

The other two are existing Adelaide-based centres for which continuing funding has been provided: the CRC for Australian Weed Management, and the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment.

Adelaide University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary O'Kane said that, for its size, the University had a particularly high involvement in CRCs.

"This is a recognition of the quality and diversity of our research as well as a recognition of our commitment to innovation with industry relevance, contributing to economic growth and sustainability.

"The University is very strong in the environmental sciences and I am especially pleased that we will be contributing our expertise to the new CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, an area of crucial importance to Australia."

CRCs aim to foster stronger links between industry, educational institutions and government, encouraging greater research collaborations and R&D relevant to industry needs.