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Science, Research and Innovation
Science, research and innovation are key to Australia’s future. They boost productivity and international competitiveness and enable Australia to meet social and environmental challenges. The Australian Government under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is committed to fostering innovation across the Australian economy to ensure that Australia reaches its full potential as a dynamic, internationally competitive and prosperous nation.
MINISTER FOR INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Senator The Hon Kim Carr was sworn in as Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on 3 December 2007. He has a long-standing interest in the policy areas of his portfolio and has served as Shadow Minister for Science and Research (2001-2004) and for Industry and Innovation (2003-2004).
See Minister Carr's Website.
DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) works to ensure an integrated approach to innovation and to maximise the synergies between the different elements of the innovation system. The Department’s portfolio covers industry, innovation, small business, science & research and measurement.
See DIISR website.
DIISR BRUSSELS OFFICE
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has an office located at the Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Communities in Brussels, Belgium. The role of the Office is to:
♦ Strengthen Australia’s engagement with the European Union (EU), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and European partner countries in the area of science, research and innovation;
♦ Highlight Australian research excellence in Europe and provide advice to European and Australian stakeholders on opportunities for increasing research cooperation in areas of mutual interest;
♦ Promote policy dialogue between Australia and the EU, OECD and European partner countries on topics of mutual interest and common challenges in the area of science, research and innovation.
Contact details:
Science, Research and Innovation Section
Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Communities
Rue Guimardstraat 6
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 286 05 88
Email: diisr.brussels@dfat.gov.au
REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM
In January 2008, the Australian Government announced a wide ranging review of Australia's national innovation system to be conducted by a panel of experts from business, academia and government, including four international advisors. The Panel will identify gaps and weaknesses in the innovation system and develop proposals to address them. The Review process, including a Government response, is due to be concluded during 2008.
See National Innovation Review.
ENGAGEMENT WITH EUROPE
One of the Government’s election pledges has been to “make Australia’s innovation system truly international, by supporting partnerships, collaboration and foreign investment in Australian R&D.” The Government has taken a number of concrete steps to foster partnerships with key partner countries and regions.
Europe as an entity is a major science and research player in the world and a strategic priority for Australian international science and research engagement:
♦ Europe is Australia’s biggest scientific cooperation partner;
♦ Europe produces a greater share of the world’s scientific literature than the United States;
♦ Some European countries (such as Sweden, Finland and Denmark) are the biggest investors in research and development (as a proportion of GDP) worldwide;
♦ The Seventh Framework Programme for Research provides €54 billion over seven years from 2007-2013 for collaborative research and represents a significant source of research funding in Europe.
Under the 1994 Science and Technology Agreement between Australia and the European Union, Australian researchers are able to join their European counterparts as full participants in research programmes which are managed by the European Commission under the European Union’s Framework Programme. Australian researchers are not eligible for funding under the Framework Programme unless their participation is deemed to be essential for the success of a particular project.
Information on EU-Australia research cooperation:
♦ Forum for European Australian Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST);
♦ European Commission Delegation in Australia.
Information for researchers moving to/from Australia and to/from Europe:
♦ Australian Researchers Mobility Portal;
♦ European Researcher Portal - EURAXESS.
THE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH SYSTEM
Australia has a diverse research system which includes:
♦ Government Departments
♦ Research Funding Agencies:
Australian Research Council
National Health & Medical Research Council
♦ State & Territory Government Departments & Agencies
♦ Science & Technology Agencies, Programs and Policy Coordination Bodies
♦ Research/Industry Linkage Organisations:
Co-operative Research Centres
Rural Research & Development Corporations
♦ Universities
♦ Medical Research Agencies & Programs
♦ Medical Research Institutes
♦ Science & Technology Societies
♦ Learned Academies