A blood test designed to improve early detection rates of ovarian cancer is one of the projects to be funded under a new round of the Global Connections Fund from the Coalition Government.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Australian researchers and small-to-medium businesses will share in more than $1 million funding.

“These grants provide funding to help with product development, market testing and proof-of-concept activities,” Minister Andrews said.

The Global Connections Fund has two components – Priming Grants and Bridging Grants. The Fund forms part of the Coalition’s Global Innovation Strategy, which seeks to create more jobs and drive Australia’s economic growth by advancing Australian ideas and assisting in the commercialisation process.

“The recipients will each receive up to $50,000 of funding through the third round of the grants - the ultimate aim is to produce market-ready products or services,” Minister Andrews said.

“The Coalition Government recognises the importance of science and technology to our economy and the jobs of the future and in the potential to solve global issues in health, agriculture and energy. That’s why we have provided 65 Bridging Grants worth more than $3 million.”

Examples of projects being funded include:

• Professor Els Meeusen and CancerProbe Pty Ltd in Victoria will partner with medical specialists in Japan to construct a prototype blood test for the detection of ovarian cancer.
• Professor Roger Hegarty from the University of New England in New South Wales will partner with a Brazilian agriculture industry partner to advance the sustainability of beef production.
• Mr Iain Ralph from Australian biotechnology company, Cannenta Pty Ltd in Victoria, will partner with United Kingdom researchers to bring affordable, effective advanced wound care products to emerging markets around the world.  

This program is administered by the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering with the support of its expert Academy Fellows network.

The grant is supplemented by contributions from both the applicants and their international partners. Grant recipients will work with partners from India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Singapore and the Republic of Korea.

The Global Connections Fund is one of the key internationally-focused measures of the Global Innovation Strategy, part of the Coalition Government’s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda.

More information is available at: www.globalconnectionsfund.org.au

Media contact: Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070