CSIROand AIMS to appoint CEOs

Legislation has been passed through parliament that will enable CSIRO and AIMS to appoint their own CEO’s, rather than their being appointed by the Governor General.

The Governance Review Implementation (Science Research Agencies) Bill 2007 also increases the minimum number of people required for the board of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) from two to six.

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Funding for two Indian research partnerships

The Federal Government is providing funding of $5 million under the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) to two research collaborations with Indian research partners.

One of the collaborations involves CSIRO joining with India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to research issues related to water, energy and sustainable agriculture.

The other joint venture is the Indo-Monash Research Academy – an initiative between Monash University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

The Academy will expand the research and research training capacity of both institutions and address the growing demand for high quality and cost effective industrial research and development in both countries.

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Victoria to match Commonwealth’s $50 million for Australian Synchrotron

The Victorian Government has announced it will match the $50 million operating funding for the Australian Synchrotron promised in the Federal Budget. The Federal funding, to be provided over five years, was conditional on it being matched by the State.

The Australian Synchrotron will open to users from July. Experiments using the protein crystallography beamline are already underway by researchers from the Howard Florey and St Vincent’s Institutes who are studying a protein involved in memory processing

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Funding boost for Brain and Mind Research Institute

The Federal and New South Wales Governments have allocated a further $12 million for expansion of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney.

The money will be used to support the BMRI's efforts to combat brain diseases, and brings the total amount of funding delivered recently to $45 million. The Founding Director of the Institute, Professor Max Bennett, said the funding would allow a rapid expansion of the BMRI's program which brings together psychiatrists, neurologists and neuroscientists to ameliorate diseases of the brain.

Special efforts are being made in the area of dementia, with basic research as well as clinical research on vascular degeneration and the behavioural difficulties accompanying later degeneration associated with plaque formation.

Another area of research involves young people showing early signs of psychosis as well as those with serious behavioural problems associated with psychotic episodes.

A new $16 million building will house research on youth mental health, funded by the NSW Government and led by the Executive Director of the Institute, Professor Ian Hickie.

This new building will be linked to the basic biomedical research buildings as well as those dedicated to clinical and translational research.

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New science funding in SA Budget

New research initiatives in this year’s South Australian Budget included a $4 million boost in the Premier’s Science and Research Fund, taking the total program to $16m over four years.

The Premier’s Science and Research Fund is an initiative of the South Australian Government and the Premier’s Science and Research Council and was established to facilitate investment in key science and research initiatives of strategic and sustainable value to the state.

The SA Budget also provided $2.4 million over four years to establish the SA headquarters of the Cooperative Research Centre for Seafood and the SA nodes of four other CRCs.

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Queensland’s Smart Awards announced

Brisbane-based company software developer, Mincom, has been announced as the overall winner of the 2007 Premier of Queensland’s Smart Awards.

Mincom began in Brisbane some 30 years ago and now employs more than 1250 professionals across 18 offices worldwide. It specialises in providing enterprise solutions focused on improving business outcomes for customers in the mining, transport, utilities, government and defence industries.

Mincom also took out the awards’ Science, Innovation and Technology category and was a finalist in the Services category.

Other Smart Award winners include:

• Rising Star Award: surfboard manufacturer Firewire Limited, which is using fibre composite technology instead of fibreglass to manufacture the next generation of surfboards.
• Oakey Abattoir which has developed a quality system that is able to trace each piece of meat back to its property of birth.
• Large Manufacturing and Mining Award: Ludowici MPE for its range of mineral process equipment.
• Services Award: Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC)
• Small-to-Medium Manufacturing and Mining Award: BSD Robotics which makes high-tech medical and scientific equipment to automatically process dried bio-samples.

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Deakin Uni and Biocon in biotech deal

Deakin University and India’s largest biotechnology company, Biocon, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a business case for a bio-processing facility at the Geelong Technology Precinct (GTP) as well as the establishment of a Deakin Research Institute in Bangalore.

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sally Walker, said the MOU was significant for Deakin.

“The MOU provides a huge step towards the achievement of our vision for the growth of the Geelong Technology Precinct at Deakin University’s campus at Waurn Ponds, both through a state-of-the-art biotechnology facility, and the expansion of the University’s research program,” Professor Walker said.

Biocon, founded in 1978, is an integrated bio-pharmaceutical company employing more than 2000 scientists and researchers in the parent company and subsidiaries. The company specialises in biopharmaceuticals, early stage drug discovery, clinical development and research.

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Central Coast marine research facility launched

A new research facility looking at the sustainable use and understanding of the local coastline and oceans has been established at the University of Newcastle.

The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre (CCMDC) will be a working research centre with strong links to the education, business and tourism sectors in the region.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Central Coast Campus, Professor Stephen Crump, said the CCMDC would generate greater awareness of the local marine and estuarine environments.

"The Centre will stimulate interest in issues relating to the long-term sustainability of our coastal environment, and will offer new environmental programs and interpretive facilities for local students," Professor Crump said.

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National Drug Research Institute PhD Scholarship

The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI), one of Australia’s leading alcohol and other drug research centres, is located at Curtin University of Technology’s Health Research Campus in Shenton Park. Applications are invited for a scholarship to conduct doctoral research into the factors associated with young people’s risky alcohol and other drug use, in particular in relation to young people who gather at large private and public events (e.g. School Leavers week; Australia Day; private parties). This research will identify the risk and protective factors associated with such behaviour, identify the implications for interventions and trial the application of interventions. The scholarship is for three years and carries an annual stipend of $24,838.

Applicants should have a good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant health or social science discipline. Students will be enrolled at NDRI.

Closing date for applications is 4.00pm Friday, 6 July 2007, and should be submitted by email to p.niklasson@curtin.edu.au or by post to the Secretary, National Drug Research Institute, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845.

For more information contact Professor Steve Allsop tel. (08) 9266 1600, e-mail: s.allsop@curtin.edu.au. Application requirements can be found at www.ndri.curtin.edu.au  

Please note this PhD Scholarship has no relocation allowance

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Grants for international travel: International Science Linkages Programme – Science Academies Programme

                          

The Australian Academy of Science is inviting applications from professional scientists to visit Europe, North America (USA, Canada & Mexico), and North East Asia (China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan) between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009, to collaborate with researchers in those countries.

Proposals in any fields of natural science, basic and applied, including mathematics and engineering science, will be considered.

Applicants must propose a collaborative research project, or a specific activity, which has been developed in consultation with host scientists. Under this scheme, applicants can request travel support to access international leading-edge small to medium research facilities and equipment.

Support will not be provided for costs associated with use of these facilities or when the purpose of the visit is to attend a conference. The duration of the visits must be between 14 and 40 days.

This project is supported by the Department of Education, Science and Training’s International Science Linkages - Science Academies Programme established under the Australian Government’s innovation statement, Backing Australia’s Ability.

Information, deadlines and application forms are available on the web site: http://www.science.org.au/internat/programs.htm  

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Announcing the GlaxoSmithKline Australia Post Graduate Support Grant

Our global quest is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. To achieve our quest, GlaxoSmithKline invests up to $35 million each year in Australian research and development - ranking us in Australia’s top 15 R&D companies (Source: see below).

Support grants for postgraduate research students

GSK Australia is pleased to offer grant awards of up to $15,000 per annum for two years to PhD or Post Doctorate students in the field of human health.

These awards will provide additional financial support to PhD or Post Doctorate research students who are currently in receipt of a research grant from a non-commercial body.

How to apply

For further information and application forms, please visit www.gsk.com.au/research  
Closing date for applications and supporting documentation is 5.00pm (AEST) Friday 27 July 2007.

Source: Australia’s 2006 R & D and Intellectual Property Scoreboard
GlaxoSmithKline is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.  GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd. 1061 Mountain Highway Boronia VIC 3155. ABN 47 100 162 481

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2007/08 DuPont Innovation Awards - Enter Now

The 2007/08 DuPont Australia & New Zealand Innovation Awards are now open for entry.

Launched in 2004, the biennial awards program is an independently judged competition that recognizes and rewards the introduction of a new and innovative technology, application, product or service.

The Awards are free to enter, and are open to individuals, companies or tertiary students.

The program is an official event of the National Innovation Festival, with each of the seven categories supported by leaders in the fields of science, industry and environmental sustainability.

Winners of these prestigious awards will be announced at the DuPont Innovation Awards presentation in Sydney in May 2008 and gain opportunities to further develop designs and ideas through access to industry and government networks.

2007/08 AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Building Innovation - sponsored by Fletcher Building Limited
2. Medical & Healthcare - sponsored by Invetech
3. Sustainable Energy - sponsored by BHP Billiton
4. Sustainable Services - sponsored by Worley Parsons
5. Agriculture & Food Production - sponsored by Cargill Australia Limited
6. Performance Materials - sponsored by Plantic
7. Tertiary Student Award - sponsored by ABB

KEY DATES
May 1, 2007 - Call for Entry Opens
November 30, 2007 - Call for Entry Closes
March 2008 - Finalists Announced
May 2008 - Award Presentation in Sydney

Find out more and download an entry form here.  

Or contact:

DuPont Innovation Awards, c/- Two de Force, Suite 5 / 50 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Awards Hotline - Tel: +61 2 9923 6144
Email - innovation@aus.dupont.com  

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Call for proposals 2008 Round: French Australian Science and Technology (FAST) Programme

 

Overview
The Australian Government in conjunction with the Government of the Republic of France has established the French-Australian S&T (FAST) Programme. The Programme is jointly managed by the Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) and its French counterparts, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE).

The objective of FAST is to promote and support scientific and technological cooperation between Australian and French researchers in both public and private sectors.

Support Available
FAST will provide financial assistance, on a competitive basis, for small collaborative research projects (including project specific follow-up meetings) between Australian and French researchers. Activities that are eligible for funding support are only international travel and living expenses. Accordingly, funding does not extend to insurances, salaries and equipment expenses.

Under the FAST programme, Australia will contribute up to $A250,000 per round and France up to 150,000 € per round. Individual applications may request funding for up to 2 years.

Under the 2008 FAST programme round, applications will be considered for research collaboration in the areas of materials, and information and communication technologies.

Australian beneficiaries:
Support to and all grants for successful Australian applicants will be provided by DEST to the coordinating Australian organisation. A suitably audited financial report will be required to acquit DEST funding.

French beneficiaries:
Support to French beneficiaries is provided by the French Government in France. Scientific and financial reports will be required at the end of each of the 2 years to acquit French funding.

How to Apply
Applications must be for funding for collaboration between Australian and French partners. Each partner must submit an application to their respective Government (DEST for the Australian applicants, EGIDE for the French). The 2008 call-for-proposals round is now open and will close on Monday 16 July 2007.

Australian applicants should refer to the FAST guidelines, available at https://sciencegrants.dest.gov.au/ISL/,  before commencing their application.

French applicants should refer to the EGIDE website:
http://www.egide.asso.fr/fr/programmes/pai/appels/fast.jhtml
 
Information about the FAST programme is also available on the Embassy of France website:
http://www.ambafrance-au.org/article.php3?id_article=1851
 
Information
If you require more information please direct all specific questions by email to:
Australia – Mr Jason Wood, email: isl@dest.gov.au  
France – Miss Armelle Blanchard email: science@ambafrance-au.org  

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InnoFuture 2007

From blank sheet to breakthrough idea to market
How to turn R&D Into Innovation.
… the ultimate innovation conference!
AUGUST 28-29, MELBOURNE, PARK HYATT

Ability to compete in the global economy is an imperative for survival. The only way forward is to learn how to innovate faster, cheaper, on demand.

InnoFuture 2007, brings together the greatest masters of innovation to share the insights, experience and practical ‘how to’ tools and emerging models used by the world’s most innovative companies to develop and implement groundbreaking products, services and cultures.

Learn from the best: Tom Kelley, founder of IDEO one of the world’s top 20 most innovative companies; Frans Johansson, creator of The Medici Effect for thinking outside the boundaries, Amnon Levav, founder of Systematic Inventive Thinking, an Israeli company taking the world by storm with a new wave breakthrough innovation techniques.

Learn how to take idea to market in 90 days. How to tap into the emerging business models for sustainable competitiveness. What are the business eco-systems that create whole new industries and export opportunities for Australian R&D? How to turn your R&D efforts into money spinning opportunities? InnoFuture 2007 has the answers.

Break away from the mould of your narrow industry. Learn to find new ideas at intersections of cultures, industries, sciences and art. Take away tools to systematically innovate and start implementing innovation immediately after InnoFuture 2007. Corporate thinkers and those responsible for breaking new frontiers are invited.

Bookings and enquiries: www.innofuture.com.au.  Contact: +61 3 9596 4333 Steve Poole or Margaret Manson on +61 3 407 661 130.

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IP Commercialisation Ventures & Taxation

DO YOU KNOW THE RIGHT TIME TO MOVE TO A COMPANY STRUCTURE? DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE EMPLOYEE SHARE OPTIONS AS PART OF YOUR TOOLKIT?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE TAXATION ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSFER OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne are pleased to announce the upcoming 1 day course on IP Commercialisation Ventures & Taxation.

Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for professionals who need to gain an up to date knowledge of the taxation issues surrounding intellectual property and the options available for different circumstances. This includes entrepreneurs, IP portfolio managers, research and development project and program managers, commercialisation and business managers, IP professionals interested in broadening their ability to advise clients strategically, SMEs and other organisations in both the public and private sectors.

What will I get out of this course?
This one day practical workshop will cover how the current tax regime works in relation to intellectual property, focusing on key impediments to commercialisation and some of the measures available to counter them. This will include preferred structures for the different “development phases” of commercialisation, providing a framework to evaluate your current position.
• Key taxation issues to be considered in commercialisation
• Why they must be addressed in order to achieve a sustainable business • The pros and cons of various structures for commercialisation with regard to taxation and the tradeoffs (such as tax versus liability)
• How to recognise when specialist assistance is required and how be prepared to engage most effectively with a specialist

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

Cost: $850 + GST per person
When: Thursday July 26th 2007, 8:45am – 5:15pm
Where: Seminar Room 0223,
Melbourne Law School
The University of Melbourne
Law School Building185 Pelham St,
Melbourne

NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Click here for more information.

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Elise Strande on (03) 9810 3136 or email e.strande@soe.unimelb.edu.au  

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Clinical Research in Oncology

Graduate House
220 Leicester Street
Carlton, Vic 3053
20, 21, 23 & 24 August 2007
22, 23, 24 & 26 October 2007

Overview
Clinical Research in Oncology is an enormous field and integrates the efforts of a multi-disciplinary team of medical and allied health professionals. This course has been designed to bring together this multi-disciplinary group to give them a better understanding of all types of research design conducted and surrogate endpoints derived from laboratory and functional imaging studies.

Students are presented with ethical and legal considerations relevant to clinical research in oncology as well as developing essential skills in critically appraising research presentations and publications. This will give them an understanding of the breadth of opportunity for clinical research in oncology and the various outcomes assessed by oncology clinical trials; including how and why these might differ from other disciplines. Students will also gain an appreciation of all aspects of the concept outline, and the process and requirements for successful conduct of clinical research in oncology.

Who should attend?
Oncologists in training, clinical trials nurses and people in health services, pharmaceutical industry or contract research representatives.

Presenters
• Austin Hospital
• Cancer Council Australia
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals
• Peter MacCallum Centre
• Royal Melbourne Hospital
• St Vincent’s Hospital

Registration
Closes: 20 July 2007

Fee
Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) - $4,000

About the program contact:
Danielle Boardman
Project Manager
T: +61 3 9810 3250
F: +61 3 9810 3149
E: d.boardman@soe.unimelb.edu.au  
W: www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/oncology  

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NICTA Short Courses program

NICTA Short Courses program www.nicta.com.au/short_courses provides high end training for researchers, scientists and engineers.

Some upcoming courses include:

Tactical Data Information Links
-  Two day course by Howard Harvey of Haoi Technologies
- June 27-28 Adelaide and Sept 4-5 Wellington
- See website here

DSP Based Carrier and Timing Recovery Techniques in Digital Modems - By Prof Fred Harris of San Diego University
- July 12-13 Canberra
- See website here

Advanced Topics in Digital Signal Processing
- By Prof Fred Harris of San Diego University
- July 16 – 19 Adelaide
- See website here

Tracking and Data Fusion
- By Dr Branko Ristic of DSTO
- Aug 13 – 14 Adelaide
- See website here

Multiuser Communications
- By Prof Alex Grant of UniSA
- Aug 20th Adelaide
- See website here

Business Aspects of Broadband Wireless Technologies and Mobile Commerce
- By Dr Riaz Esmailzadeh of Carnegie-Mellon University
- Aug 21st Adelaide
- See website here

Enquiries about these and other courses including customised in-house courses:

Anne-Marie Eliseo NICTA Industry Education Manager telephone 08 83023928, email anne-marie.eliseo@nicta.com.au  

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