The Federal Government will spend $27 million to attract the “best and brightest” to complete 100 ‘Super Science Fellowships’ to prevent Australia’s brain drain.
The $27 million in funding is budgeted over four years and targets areas deemed critical to Australia’s future growth and industry as well as sustainability issues and climate change.
Senator Kim Carr, Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, said the aim of the Super Science Fellowships is to support exceptional domestic and international researchers to establish and maintain careers in Australia.
“These Super Science Fellowships will not only enable vital research in the areas of space and astronomy; marine and climate; and future industries, they will foster our brightest young minds to start or further their research careers in Australia,”
“Twenty Australian institutions are being awarded fellowships. They will begin a process of competitive national and international recruitment to fill the positions.” Mr Carr said.
Monash University has won four of the Super Science Fellowships, attracting more than $2.5 million to study atmospheric sciences, biomedical engineering, astronomical and space sciences and nanotechnology.
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Edwina Cornish of Monash University was buoyant about the result for the institution.
“Monash University is fast-becoming known as a place where early-career researchers can thrive,”
“The University’s success in attracting Super Science Fellowships is confirmation by the Australian Research Council of Monash University’s innovative and vibrant research culture. The fellowships will allow Monash to continue to support its early-career researchers to become the very best in their fields.” Professor Cornish said.
The Super Science Fellowships program will begin with an initial group of fifty, with the remainder starting their fellowships in 2011.
The Super Science Fellowships program is run by the Australian Research Council on behalf of the Australian Government’s $1.1 billion Super Science Initiative.
