Did the ancient carbon cycle trigger the origin of complex life? Is Australia becoming a surveillance society? Can a wine bung be made any smarter? These are among the many questions South Australian researchers hope to answer thanks to funding of over $23 million from the Gillard Labor Government.

Announcing funding for 76 research projects, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said investing in research is vital for the development of new ideas, the creation of jobs and a better quality of life for all Australians.

“We rely on our researchers to help feed the hungry, cure the sick, protect the environment and secure our future. That is why the Government is providing $310 million to Australia’s research institutions through the Australian Research Council’s major grant schemes,” Senator Carr said.

“Researchers at the University of Adelaide will use a $270,000 grant to reveal the role that large changes to the global carbon cycle and climate had in triggering the evolution of animals from single cell organisms.

“Flinders University researchers will use a $90,000 grant to examine how Australia's prosecutors and judges interact with security and intelligence agents in the new field of counter-terrorism.

“And researchers at the University of Adelaide will use a $405,000 grant to develop wine barrel sensors with optical fibres to reduce waste and improve the quality in wine making.

“This $23 million investment is great news for the SA community because it highlights the excellent local research talent and supports new interstate and international research projects.”

The 76 research projects were announced as part of the Australian Research Council’s 2012 Major Grants Announcement, with $310 million announced for over 1,000 research projects nationwide. Funding will begin in 2012 and be administered over a period of up to five years under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development, Discovery Projects, Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Projects and Linkage Projects scheme. 

To view the summaries of all funding outcomes and information on the funding schemes, visit www.arc.gov.au/media/major_announce.htm.

For more information on the ARC and the Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio, including the research grants available, visit www.arc.gov.au and www.innovation.gov.au.

A printable version of the media release [PDF 57 KB] is available.