Research projects that aim to reduce preventable blindness and cut the cost of water quality management are among six innovative projects to have been funded by the Morrison Government in a joint Australia-India science and technology initiative.

A total of $5,217,705 from Round 14 of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund has been allocated to the six Collaborative Research Projects, which were chosen from more than 80 applicants. 

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the project underlined the growing strength of the Australia-India relationship.

“The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund is strengthening the links between Australia and India and creating new innovation networks of global significance,” Minister Price said.

“These cutting-edge projects will benefit both countries and show what is possible when our leading research institutions and industries work closely together.

“The projects address six out of eight priority areas agreed to by our two governments, including quantum technologies, critical minerals, and infection prevention and control.

“I look forward to the development of these projects and further scientific and research cooperation between our nations in the future.”

The projects, successful Australian applicants and grant amounts are:

• Development of low cost, portable and solar-powered optical sensing technology for online monitoring of contaminants in groundwater, University of Sydney ($979,931).
• Prevention of blindness using digital technologies at primary care centres, The University Of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle ($912,000).
• Research into the structural dynamics of SARS-Cov-2, University of Melbourne ($894,513).
• Advanced recovery of the battery materials and rare earth elements from ores and wastes, University of South Australia ($905,881).
• Development of a versatile protein mimicry platform to deliver the next generation of bioadhesives for mending soft tissues, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology ($525,380).
• Quantum-enhanced atomic gravimetry for improved sensing capabilities, Australian National University ($1,000,000).

The Indian Government will support the Indian partners in the projects.

The AISRF is Australia’s largest fund dedicated to bilateral science cooperation. It helps build links between Australia and India’s top universities, research institutions and the end users of scientific innovation.

For more details on the AISRF and grant recipients visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/australia-india-strategic-research-fund-aisrf/aisrf-grant-recipients