Projects to develop an mRNA vaccine for bacterial infections and a device to treat heart failure are among 13 industry-led joint research projects sharing in more than $32 million in funding from the Morrison Government.

The successful projects under round 12 of the Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) initiative will enable Australian industry and research organisations to take their innovative technologies to the next level.

They will help create mRNA-based therapeutics and clean energy inventions, as well as other incredible job-creating solutions to improve our lives.

They will also leverage a further $56 million of cash and in-kind contributions from 62 project partners.

The projects include:

• Denteric, which with its partners will use its $1.2 million grant to develop an mRNA vaccine for chronic human bacterial infections, building on the recent success of COVID-19 vaccines.
• Jupiter Ionics, which with its partners will use its $2.65 million grant to further its world-leading technology for the production of green ammonia to eventually see the local manufacture of fertilises for agricultural sectors. 
• QHeart, which with its partners will use its $2.75 million grant to continue work on its “pumpless” and non-surgical balloon heart assist device that can treat hypertension heart failure. 

The Government is also opening applications for CRC-P round 13 grants, with a focus on projects that align to the National Manufacturing Priority areas.

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said CRC-Ps helped strengthen links between industry and research organisations. 

“These projects show how incredible problem solving is possible when businesses team up with researchers to address challenges that affect our lives and how we work,” Minister Price said.

“Not only do CRC Projects lead to tangible outcomes which can improve our future prosperity and open up our businesses to new and exciting markets, but they can create new jobs for Australians.

“These projects and the others in round 12 show the type of ingenuity and research firepower we have in Australia and that the Morrison Government is proud to back. I look forward to more partnerships in round 13.”

Since the first round of CRC Projects in 2016, the Government has awarded more than $408 million in funding under the CRC-P Program to support 189 projects. 

These projects include more than 900 cooperating partners from industry, research, government and community organisations, and are leveraging $910 million in partner contributions.

CRC-Ps can run for up to three years and must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium sized business, and one Australian research organisation partner.

A full list of successful round 12 projects is available at: business.gov.au

For more information on round 13 visit: business.gov.au