Sixty-eight research projects have been awarded funding under Round 4 of the National Industry PhD Program.
This is the highest number of projects funded under any round of the program to date, following a record high 183 applications received for the fourth round.
The program offers PhD students industry-focused research projects, enabling them with the knowledge and skills to improve translation from university research into commercial outcomes.
More than $12 million has been allocated to the successful projects under Round 4 for:
- 33 Industry linked projects
- 35 Industry researcher projects
Funded projects include a comprehensive analysis of the commercial viability of printed solar panel products, the development of driver monitoring systems that reduce car accidents caused by driver distraction, the development of new drug candidates against brain tumours, and improving the retention of employees with disabilities in the Australian workforce.
The program’s first three rounds funded 120 successful projects and invested more than $20 million into research and development for Australia’s industries.
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Distinguished Professor Calum Drummond AO, explained how the program is leading to thrilling research outcomes.
“The National Industry PhD Program is supporting us to create new relationships, and grow existing ones with industry, to collaborate on exciting research with tangible outcomes for Australia,” Professor Drummond said.
“For example, working with ADL Building Services will help revolutionise the way electric vehicles interact with residential energy systems to create a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable energy ecosystem.
“The potential outcomes of this research will come at a time that the Australian Government is forging ahead with new standards to allow vehicle-to-grid charging in Australia.”
The program is part of a $296 million government initiative to bring together trained researchers to solve industry problems across agriculture and food protection, health and medical research, environmental sustainability, tech and manufacturing, and AI.
This is to support the government’s commitment to add 1,800 Industry PhDs over 10 years.
To find out more about the successful projects, visit National Industry PhD Program.