NHMRC appointments

Two senior appointments have been made within the National Health and Medical Research Council. Ms Hilary Russell, a senior administrator in the health care sector and chair of the ACT Womens Advisory Council, has been appointed to the position of Chief Operations Officer, while Dr Clive Morris, who has been Acting Chief Operations Officer of the NHMRC, will be the Chief Knowledge and Development Officer.

In other news, the NHMRC is to undergo an International Review of processes, including maintenance of public confidence in research, by December 2007. A Statement of Requirement for a consultant to facilitate an international panel to undertake the review has been prepared and a Request for Tender has been made.

An International Panel is being appointed, with Professor Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institute for Health Research as chair. The Panel will meet in late October 2007 and provide a final report by December 2007.

Information on active grants and trends in NHMRC research investment since 2000 has been released on the NHMRC website (here). A summary of research funding information provides trends since 2000 in spending on some key areas of research and information in other areas will be added as it becomes available.

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New funding under Food Innovation Grants programme

Applications have been called under the first round of the revised Food Innovation Grants (FIG) Programme, which received an allocation of $54 million over four years to June 2011 in this year’s budget.

Under the new funding arrangements, grants are available for food industry businesses to undertake projects focused on:

• research and development to address the scientific and technical challenges Australia’s food industry faces;
• the commercialisation of this technology;
• the implementation of new innovations.

Successful projects from the previous FIG programme include:

• the development by the Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-Op in WA of an improved method to extract meat from lobsters;
• the commercialisation by Victoria’s Murray-Goulburn Co-Operative of a new food ingredient from milk that has been launched in the form of a sports food bar; and
• Vege-Fresh in Queensland perfecting a robotic lettuce harvester that picks lettuce at their optimum ripeness.

Preliminary applications for the grants need to be lodged by 9 August 2007. Further information is at www.daff.gov.au/foodinnovation or call the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry on 1800 631 715.

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New head for Go8

Professor Alan Robson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Western Australia, has been appointed to succeed Professor Glyn Davis, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne as Chair of Australia’s Group of Eight universities from 1 September 2007.

The Go8 recently released a policy discussion paper, Seizing the opportunities: designing new policy architecture for higher education and university research which proposes measures to reform current higher education policy, widen student choice, promote diversity and underpin Australia’s international competitiveness.

The paper advocates the creation of a new Australian Tertiary Education Commission, jointly supported and led by Commonwealth and State governments, to administer a reformed tertiary education system. It also outlines ideas for new national investment in university research, including expanded competitive grants through the ARC and NHMRC and associated funding for research infrastructure; a targeted program of block funds to universities for research, reflecting a mix of national priorities and local institutional strengths; a validated metrics-based approach to assessing research quality and its broader societal benefits as the basis for a Research Quality Framework; and ideas for research training including a number of nationally portable research
scholarships to complement the allocation of research training places to universities.

The Go8 policy paper and summary document are available at www.go8.edu.au

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SA Premier’s Science and Research Fund boosted

The South Australian Government has announced a new direction and a $1.2 million funding boost for the Premier’s Science and Research Fund.

The additional funding will take annual expenditure through the fund to $4.2 million

Science Minister, Paul Caica, this will be invested in the development of strategic research capabilities.

“The new direction for the Fund will allow us to deliver ‘transformational’ investments for South Australia with the potential to generate significant and sustainable benefits - in economic, social and environmental terms.

“The Fund’s investments will support industry and other end-users of research to work more closely with the State’s researchers to encourage the practical application of research outcomes.

“It will encourage collaborative research and development partnerships between key industry players and our State’s researchers in leading areas of the State’s economy. Our first focus, in the latest round of the Fund, will be to develop such partnerships in the defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.”

Mr Caica said the former Sustainable Energy Research and Development grants program, worth $220,000 a year would now be incorporated into the Premier’s Science and Research Fund.

“Combining the two funds allows us to more substantially support research and development projects that encourage sustainable energy, while at the same time, streamlining the assessment and monitoring process.”

An initiative of the State Government and the Premier’s Science and Research Council, the Fund was first established in 2003/04 to help boost the State’s science and research sector. Since that time, it has provided over $10 million in government funds to support strategic research and development projects in South Australia.

Expressions of interest for the new round of the Fund will close on Monday 13 August. Further information is at www.innovation.sa.gov.au/science or contact Ms Jenny Neszpor on telephone 8207 8705, email: jenny.neszpor@state.sa.gov.au

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Funding continued for South Australian advanced manufacturing program

The Australian Government will provide $1.225 million over four years for the continuation of the Northern Advanced Manufacturing Industry Group Project in South Australia.

The Northern Advanced Manufacturing Industry Group Project provides students and teachers with the chance to engage with potential employers in a number of activities focused on practical experience, including problem-solving activities, industry tours, mentoring and workshops.

Since early 2005, the Northern Advanced Manufacturing Industry Group project has reached over 500 students across northern Adelaide, with the aim of encouraging student awareness of the opportunities available in the manufacturing industry, increasing student enrolments in related mathematics and technology subjects, and fostering links between schools, higher education institutions and industry.

The funding will build on the $1 million already provided by the Australian Government under the Sustainable Regions Program. Since 2001, about $12 million has been allocated to the Playford Salisbury area of South Australia to fund key development projects in response to economic, social and environmental change in the region.

The funding is provided in partnership with the South Australian Government and industry partners that established the Northern Advanced Manufacturing Industry Group - Tenix Defence, BAE Systems, Holden Ltd, NTS Global, DANA Australia, Futuris Automotive and IMP Printed Circuits.

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Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge Research Hub launched

A new $30 million project has been launched to research the rivers and water resources of northern Australia.

The four-year Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge Research Hub (TRaCK) is being funded by a consortium of government and research organizations, including Charles Darwin University, CSIRO, Griffith University, Land & Water Australia, the North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance and the University of Western Australia.

The research hub aims to increase knowledge of the important natural assets and ecosystem services provided by tropical rivers and coasts; understand the implications of potential developments and identify opportunities to foster sustainable enterprises in the region, and will also contribute to meeting the objectives of the National Water Initiative.

The Federal Government is investing $16 million to the project through the Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities program and the National Water Commission’s Raising National Water Standards program. Funding is also being provided by Land & Water Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and through the Queensland Government’s Smart State Strategy.

TRaCK will be headed by Professor Michael Douglas, and based at Charles Darwin University.

For further information, contact Professor Douglas on 08 8946 7261.

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University of Sydney establishes mining automation research centre

Mining giant Rio Tinto is to invest $21 million to create a centre for mining automation at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) at the University of Sydney.

The centre, which will be headed by Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, will focus on developing and implementing fully autonomous and remotely operated mining processes.

The centre will be staffed by 28 full-time personnel as well as ten research students and have an annual budget of $5 million.

The investment by Rio Tinto will be made over five years, although the agreement between the company and the university makes provision for an extension of the funding beyond that period.

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Monash to get new antibody production facility

A $10 million facility to produce monoclonal antibodies is to be built at Monash University in a joint venture with Swiss-based life sciences supply company, Tecan.

Funding will be contributed by the Victorian State Government, Monash University, the Australian Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and the Australian Stem Cell Centre.

The new facility will have the capacity to produce novel antibodies every year for researchers world wide. It increase production of monoclonal antibodies from hundreds to potentially 5,000 a year.

The facility will be developed by a team of engineers at Tecan's company headquarters in Switzerland, before being installed at the Monash Antibody Facility at Monash University's School of Biomedical Sciences at the Clayton campus.

The initial instalment of the robotic system for the facility will begin at the end of 2007 and will be finalised in March 2008.

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Awards and grants for research excellence - The Australian Academy of Science

The Academy is calling for nominations for:

• medals and prizes for early career and career researchers;
Closing date – 30 August

• research support for the conservation of endangered vertebrate species;
• support for overseas and local travel
Closing date – 30 September

The Academy is also calling for expressions of intent for:

• support for research conferences
Closing date – 30 September

Further information:

www.science.org.au/awards/research.htm  
www.science.org.au/awards/index.htm  

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NHMRC Development Grant Call for Applications

The second round of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Development Grant applications for 2007 for funding commencing March 2008 opened on 20 July 2007.

The Development Grants support the development of health or medical research that has commercial potential and may benefit the Australian community by providing funding for research commercialisation at the early proof-of-concept stage.

The scheme endeavours to bridge the funding gap between the end of a high quality basic research program and the developments required to make the project commercially attractive to possible investors. Development Grants provide funding for research commercialisation at the early proof of-concept stage and while commercial partners are encouraged, it is not a requirement that applicants have a commercial partner in place.

Development Grants are designed to support development work undertaken in a human health related field, for example diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceutical product development, biotechnology, bioinformatics and biomaterials.

Funding is normally awarded for a period of one year. Funding may be provided for a maximum period of three years, subject to satisfactory achievement against agreed milestones. The grant request will usually not exceed $200,000 per annum.

Further information is available from the NHMRC website at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/apply/granttype/development/index.htm.  

Closing Date: 5pm Friday 21 September 2007.

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Position Vacant: Deputy Director (Research and Innovation Services)

The University of South Australia is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to provide leadership and support to the operational and communication functions of the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) Unit.

Research and Innovation Services implements strategies to build the University’s research performance. It provides a ‘one stop shop’ to support all University research activities across all aspects of research and research education.

The Deputy Director: Research and Innovation Services is a senior position responsible for leading a team of staff in the areas of Research Capacity and Compliance, Research Performance Monitoring, Research Education and Training, and Business and Innovation Support.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated outstanding leadership and people management skills, demonstrated experience in human resources management, sound financial management skills and a proven record of successful project management in either a university, business or research environment.

This is a full-time continuing position. An attractive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applications Close: 5.00pm Monday 27 August 2007

www.unisa.edu.au/hrm/careers  

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Employer of Choice for Women 
People of Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander cultural and linguistic background are encouraged to apply

Gold Award Winner – 2005 ACCI/BCA National Work and Family Awards

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designtalks - Seminars for small business success + profit

7-20 August 07

Design Institute of Australia in conjunction with the Victorian Government’s Energise Enterprise Festival 07 presents 2 seminars demonstrating the importance of design for business improvement and growth .

Manufacturing Competitive Advantage Through Design

Small manufacturing businesses are invited to this panel-style forum to learn how to use design to gain a competitive edge that can’t be copied. Join leading businesses and designers who will present case studies to illustrate the business benefits of good design.

7 August 2007, 10am-12pm

The Wool Museum, 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong

14 August 2007, 6.30pm-8.30pm

BMW Edge, Federation Square , Flinders Street, Melbourne

Cost – Non Member $20, DIA Member $10, Student $10

Leading Your Business Towards the Success of Apple – The Secret is in the Design

This panel-style forum will explain the value-add of design, provide 10 easy ways to use design, illustrate how design can be incorporated in business planning and discuss case studies.

10 August 2007, 10am-12pm

Craig Royal Hotel, 10 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat

20 August 2007, 10am-12pm

The Drum Theatre, Cnr Walker and Londsdale Street, Dandenong

Cost – Non Member $20, DIA Member $10, Student $10

For further information go to www.dia.org.au/designtalks

Registration  designinstitute.aust@gmail.com

Please send your name, business name, contact details and number of attendees.

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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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Are you a clinician involved in NEUROSCIENCE?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne, in association with the NHMRC - funded Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Neurosciences and the Brain Research Institute, are pleased to announce that they will be holding a 4 day short course on Clinical Neuroscience Research: Neuroimaging and Disease Applications - Part 2, at the Austin Repatriation Centre on August 20, 21, 22, 24. 2007

NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, so be quick!

This course has been specifically designed for people already in clinical practice, who want to understand and interpret the existing research, or to think about the research questions before embarking on clinical research studies. Experienced clinicians who are in their first years of conducting clinical research will also benefit by consolidating their research methods and skills. In addition, this course will provide basic orientation in various clinical research methodologies applied to neuroscience for other professionals who are unfamiliar with the field of neuroscience or clinical research.

Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience)

The 25 points specialist certificate is a Masters level award and is achieved by completion of the two four day subjects, Methodology and Disease Applications Part 1 & 2, with associated assessment. It provides full credit into the Masters program in Clinical Research.

NEED TO KNOW MORE? CHECK OUT INFORMATION AT: www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/neuroscience

Cost: $2,000 + GST

When: August 20, 21, 22, 24

Where: Neurosciences Building
Austin Repatriation Campus
Banksia Street Gate10)
West Heidelberg

Express your interest in this course and related courses by contacting:
• Kathy Lefevere on (03) 9496 2290 or email lefevere@unimelb.edu.au  
• Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email b.atkins@soe.unimelb.edu.au  

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Spruson&Ferguson: patent and trade mark attorneys

With over 115 years experience, Spruson&Ferguson is a leading intellectual property firm in Australia which provides a fully integrated service for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of your intellectual property.

Spruson&Ferguson is one of the largest intellectual property firms in Australia, with a team of over 220. Our 60 plus patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers work in specialised practice areas; Chemical/Life Sciences, Mechanical, Electrical/Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) and Trade Marks, together with Spruson&Ferguson Lawyers which provides intellectual property commercialisation, enforcement and dispute resolution services.

Spruson&Ferguson’s patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers have extensive intellectual property and industry experience in science and engineering including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, phototonics, transport, telecommunications, mining, publishing, consumer products, ceramics, chemistry and mechanical/medical technologies.

The depth of our industry experience is an attribute that many of our clients hold in high regard. Spruson&Ferguson is a recognised as a market leader with multinationals and many of Australia’s foremost research institutions entrusting to us to protect and assisting with the maximisation of returns on their intellectual property assets.

Our comprehensive range of services includes patents, trademarks, designs, domain names, IP audits, due diligence, dispute resolution and litigation and intellectual property commercialisation services including licensing, joint ventures and research and development collaborations.

For more information about our comprehensive range of intellectual property services, please contact one of the following relationship principals:

Chemical: Dr John McCann BSc (Hons) PhD FIPTA
Life Sciences: Dr Andrew Blattman BScAgr (Hons) PhD GDipIP FIPTA
Electrical: Robert Miller BE BLegS FIPTA
ICT: Scott Berggren BSEE MSEE LLB FIPTA
Mechanical: Greg Turner BE FIPTA
Trade Marks: Annette Freeman BA LLB (ANU) LLM (UTS)
IP Commercialisation: Rob McInnes BSc (Hons) LLB (Syd)
IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Simon Williams BA LLB (Syd) LLM (Lond)
Managing Principal: David Griffith BE (Hons) FIPTA

Telephone: (02) 9207 0777
Fax: (02) 9261 5486
Email mail@sprusons.com.au
Website here 

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