NEWS ALERTS
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1. PMSEIC MEETING

The Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) met last month with an agenda which included progress reports on Backing Australia's Ability, national research priorities and the higher education review, as well as three presentations prepared by independent working groups.
The topics of these presentations were Science and Security; Beyond Kyoto: Innovation and Adaption; and Management Skills for High-Growth Start-up Companies: Unleasing Australia's Entrepreneurial Potential. These papers are available on the internet at http://www.dest.gov.au/science/pmseic/default.htm

2. ARC PRIORITY CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

Eight centres of excellence have been selected in the four priority research areas announced by the Federal Government in January last year and will receive Australian Research Council funds of $90 million over five years (2003 - 2007). The centres were chosen by the ARC to target the areas of Complex/Intelligent Systems, Genome/Phenome Research, Nano-materials and Bio-materials and Photon Science and Technology.
The Centres are:

* Quantum Computer Technology, based at the University of New South Wales, Professor R Clark, $14 million;

* Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics, University of New South Wales, Professor SR Wenham, $12.175 million;

* Biotechnology and Development, University of Newcastle, Prof R J Aitken, $9.459 million;

* Autonomous Systems, University of Sydney, Professor H F Durrant-Whyte, $10million;

* Ultrahigh-bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems, University of Sydney, Dr C M de Stecke, $11.514 million;

* Mathematical and Statistical Modelling of Complex Systems, University of Melbourne, Prof AJ Guttmann, $10.907 million;

* Integrative Legume Research, University of Queensland, Professor PM Gresshoff, $10.907 million;

* Quantum-Atom Optics, ANU, Professor H A Bachor, $10.95 million.

3. FUNDING FOR IMPROVED BROADBAND ACCESS

The Commonwealth Government has announced it will invest $42.5 million over the next two years in bandwidth infrastructure for Australian universities. An Australian Research and Education Network (AREN) will be established to address the bandwidth needs of higher education institutions and the research community, particularly in regional Queensland, the Northern Territory, north eastern NSW and Tasmania. These areas have been identified by Higher Education Bandwidth Advisory Committee's report: A Framework for an Australian Research and Education Network as being in particular need of improved bandwidth. Immediate
funding for the AREN of $2.5 million and a further $3 million this year will bring a 2.5 Gbps backbone connection from Brisbane to Townsville via Rockhampton to give James Cook University and Central Queensland University improved bandwidth access.

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REQUEST FOR TENDER
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4. EVALUATION OF THE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRES PROGRAMME - Request for Tender 02771

Department of Education, Science and Training

The Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training is seeking tenders from suitable organisations which can assist the Department in conducting an evaluation of the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme.

The CRC Programme promotes collaborative research links between industry, research organisations, education institutions and government agencies. There are 62 Centres currently operating in many fields including manufacturing technology, information and communication technology, agriculture, mining and energy, the environment and medical science. Funding for the Programme has been significantly enhanced under the Commonwealth Government's Backing Australia's Ability initiative.

The evaluation is being conducted to determine whether the Programme has been effective in meeting its objectives and efficient in its administration, and whether any changes are needed to ensure its future success within the broader Australian science and innovation system.

The Request for Tender (RFT) may be obtained from the Department's website at
http://www.dest.gov.au/tenders/tenders.asp. The RFT will be available until the closing time. Tenderers must use the RFT documentation and forms as the basis for their tender.

Tenders close in Canberra at 17.00 AEDT 14 February 2003.

For enquiries please ring Linda Meech on 02 6240 5365 or email Linda.Meech@dest.gov.au

Late tenders and tenders by fax or email will not be accepted.

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BUSINESS SERVICES
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5. ERNST & YOUNG R&D SERVICES

R&D Start grants and loans are available once again. Ernst & Young's national team has extensive experience assisting R&D companies to gain funding through the R&D Start program.
We can prepare your application for funding or help you strengthen an application you have drafted.

The opportunity to seek R&D Start assistance should also be assessed against other R&D assistance, including the R&D Tax Offset. This cash rebate is available to qualifying companies that have an annual turnover up to $5 million and spend up to $1 million on R&D a year. For most eligible companies, this cash rebate will return 37.5 cents in the dollar. For some companies, it can be even more.

Ernst & Young can help you to select the type of R&D assistance that best suits your company, considering your circumstances, your industry and your R&D projects. Our team is dedicated to helping clients gain maximum value from their R&D investments. For more information on how Ernst & Young can help, please contact an office near you.

Perth: Robin Parsons (08) 9429 2251
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Melbourne: Alun Needham (03) 9288 8099
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See also:
R&D Review