The Morrison Government is continuing to back research projects which address industry challenges, including one which will make our food industry more climate-resilient.

Nine projects will share in more than $25 million in funding under round 8 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-Ps).

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said $3 million will go to a project to increase the resilience of salmon at high temperatures.

“This work will future-proof the industry, which in 2018 was worth more than $750 million a year to our economy,” Minister Andrews said.

“This is another example of the research the Morrison Government is funding to address the impacts of climate change.

“We need to acknowledge our changing climate and make sure industries which rely on the environment can adapt and thrive into the future.

“This project and others we’re funding are examples of using research to make a real-world difference, to grow the economy and create new jobs.”

Other projects are:

• $3 million to further develop a low cost aeromedical and passenger transport aircraft.
• $3 million to use laser technology to develop silicon products for quantum computing.
• $3 million to develop solar skin, the next generation of solar polymer membrane.
• $3 million to manufacture lightweight rocket fuel tanks to make space more affordable.
• $3 million to build an AI diagnostic tool to improve optometry accuracy at the point-of-care.
• $2.8 million to commercialise advanced test and measurement sensing technology.
• $2.4 million to develop an on-farm detection platform for mastitis-causing pathogens in dairy cattle milk.
• $2 million to develop wireless technology in underground mines.

Round 8 of the CRC-P grants has also seen almost $20 million committed to waste-recycling projects and $11 million to critical minerals projects.

$289 million in funding has been committed to CRC-Ps since 2016. This commitment further builds on the Morrison Government’s plan to strengthen Australian industry and create 1.25 million new jobs in the next five years.

Information on how to apply, and details of previous grant recipients is available at www.business.gov.au/crc-p

Applications for Round 9 of the CRC-P grants will open on February 13 and close on March 19.

Media contacts: Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070