The Australian Academy of Science today welcomed the Government’s decision to guarantee a further 12 months of funding to Australia’s major national research facilities.
This funding for 2015-16 will allow the continued operation of 27 facilities established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) that support fundamental and applied research in everything from astronomy to deep-ocean measurement to medical research.
These facilities are used by more than 35,000 researchers in Australia and overseas and directly employ 1,700 highly trained staff.
The Academy’s President Professor Andrew Holmes welcomed the announcement to fund this vital program for the next 12 months, saying it was an important first step towards establishing a viable future for Australia’s research infrastructure.
“This decision will mean researchers can get on with the job of developing the new technology and innovative ideas that Australia needs for the future,”
“It means they are back from the brink of closure. Now what we need to see is long-term funding for this essential infrastructure that gives researchers and industry in Australia the certainty they need,”
This decision follows numerous approaches to Government from across the science community and business, including an open letter from the Academy of Science and other members of the National Research Alliance. These warned that the uncertainty over funding from 1 July meant that over $2 billion of public investment was at risk and several NCRIS facilities were about to shut down.
The Academy urges the Government to carefully consider the recommendations of its review of research infrastructure, currently underway, and ensure a sustainable and secure funding model for NCRIS into the future.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
