The federal government has announced grants of $8 million to support partnerships between Australian research organisations and businesses.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews has launched the second round of the Australian Government’s Global Innovation Linkages (GIL) program.
“This program is about creating new opportunities, helping our researchers and business to commercialise ideas, and delivering results for local communities,” said Minister Andrews.
“Individual grants of up to $1 million, over a maximum of four years, will be provided as seed funding to partnerships of local businesses and research organisations to team up with other experts overseas to develop high quality products, services or processes.
“Encouraging this sort of cooperation between business and researchers helps drive business growth and the creation of high quality jobs.
“These grants are part of this Government’s strong agenda to back business investment and grow more jobs in Australia.”
Each application needs to include a business, research organisation and a global partner.
The first round of grants in 2017 provided more than $8.6 million for nine innovative projects, including $890,000 for Victorian-based company Grey Innovation to work with its German partners to help with the trial of a sensing device to assist in earlier diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease.
Grey Innovation has provided the University of Rostock with 15 refurbished wearable devices for testing. A total of 22 new and fully functioning wearable devices have been designed and assembled.
“I look forward to the continuing development of these projects from the first round of GIL funding and to the emergence of exciting new projects in the second round,” said Minister Andrews.
The GIL program has been widened since the first round to allow engagement with partners from any country. The grant amount needs to be matched by the project partners.
For more information on the GIL program, including first-round funding recipients, visit www.business.gov.au/GIL