The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, today announced his intention to introduce new public funding arrangements that will create additional opportunities for Indigenous Australians pursuing academic research careers.

“The Australian Government is committed to enhancing support for Indigenous researchers and research to ensure that all talented Australian academics are given a fair go and that all Australians have the opportunity to benefit from their endeavours,” Senator Carr said.

“I am considering advice put to me by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in conjunction with the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) on how best to provide relevant and appropriate support to Indigenous researchers.

“While it’s early days, I am excited that the ARC and AIATSIS are working together on a range of options for Indigenous researchers that will strengthen the diversity of Australia’s research capacity and capabilities, and lead to new knowledge, discoveries and applications.”

Senator Carr said that, over the coming year, he intended to:

• include research into Indigenous health and wellbeing as a priority under the Government’s new Future Fellowships scheme, currently being developed by the ARC
• introduce new Australian Research Fellowships – Indigenous (more senior than, and in addition to, the existing postdoctoral ARC Indigenous Researcher Fellowships)
• change the status of AIATSIS under ARC Funding Rules to make it eligible for funding under nearly all ARC-administered schemes.

“I am encouraged that the ARC and AIATSIS are working together to create specific new opportunities for Indigenous Australian researchers to further their careers in the same ways as their non-Indigenous counterparts,” Senator Carr said.

The details of these initiatives will be released progressively, as they are finalised.

Media contacts: Catriona Jackson, Minister's office, 0417 142 238