The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, today announced funding of $1.8 million for nine Indigenous Australian researchers under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme.

“Through this scheme, the Rudd Government is supporting our most talented Indigenous researchers to use their unique experiences, skills and knowledge to strengthen and diversify Australia's research capacity and capabilities,” Senator Carr said.

“Of the nine projects announced, six will be led by female Indigenous researchers and three by male Indigenous researchers.

“The $1.8 million investment will see these talented Australians and their teams conduct research that will:
• close the educational gap for Aboriginal primary students in low density schools;
• gain Indigenous perspectives on museums, cultural representation and the equivocal digital remnant; and
• assess foreign observations of Aboriginal people and British colonisation.

“This funding round is the first to include the prestigious Australian Research Fellowship – Indigenous, a senior addition to the current Indigenous Researcher Fellowships.

“As part of these funding outcomes, two outstanding senior Indigenous researchers will receive these new fellowships.

“The Australian Research Council’s Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme is a further example of the Australian Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for Indigenous academics and supporting fundamental research and research training by Indigenous Australians.”

A summary of the Discovery Indigenous Researchers scheme funding outcomes is attached.

More information about the scheme and funding outcomes is available at www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/dird/dird_outcomes.htm

Media contacts: Catriona Jackson  Minister's office 0417 142 238
                               Sheena Ireland ARC 0412 623 056