The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, today announced that 200 outstanding national and international mid-career researchers will be the first prestigious Future Fellows.

“The Government established the ARC Future Fellowships scheme to address the gap in opportunities for mid-career researchers in Australia, which forced many of our talented researchers to search for work overseas,” Senator Carr said.

“This first round of the ARC Future Fellowships scheme will see 159 of our best and brightest continue their world-class research at home, boosted by the 4-year, fellowship, worth up-to $740,000. Fellows will receive up to $135,000 for each of the 4 years - administering institutions will receive up to $50,000 a year for associated infrastructure and other costs.

“I am also very pleased to announce that 41 Future Fellows will come to Australia to pursue their research - 19 Australians lured home by the scheme and 22 international researchers bringing their talents to our shores. 

“All 200 Future Fellows will conduct research into areas of national priority and will advance Australian’s international research and innovation standing.

“Future Fellows’ projects will include work to:

    • improve the quality of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer and put Australia at the international forefront of 
      research in medical imaging;

    • address marine environment issues and put Australia at the forefront of research on the adaptation of marine ecosystems to
      climate change; and

    • generate fundamental information about genetic diversity in Tasmanian devils and establish the feasibility of breeding resistant
      animals for release into the wild.”

Information about all 200 successful Future Fellows and their research projects is available at www.arc.gov.au.

The ARC Future Fellowships scheme is administered by the Australian Research Council under the National Competitive Grants Program. The Australian Government has committed funding of $844 million over five-years from 2009 for the scheme. More information about the ARC Future Fellowships scheme is available at www.arc.gov.au.

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