Funding to give industry access to global research

The acting minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin, has called for applications for the second round of funding under the Commonwealth Government's Innovation Access Program - Industry.

The program funds projects for strategic international alliances or industrial workshops; technology roadmapping; technology best practice study tours; and industry projects to bring leading-edge engineering or technology specialists to Australia to transfer world-class skills to Australian firms at the 'shop-floor' level.

Private-sector companies, industry groups, universities; Co-operative Research Centres, Commonwealth scientific research agencies and training institutions are all eligible for funding.

"The Commonwealth Government has already provided $5.3 million to support 22 projects since the Program was launched in July last year," Senator Minchin said.