Save the date for #SMP2025, the strategic examination of R&D, and STA Board Nominations: Your update on science and technology policy and advocacy

Save the date! Science Meets Parliament 2025 will take place 12–13 February, 2025. Please mark it in your calendar now and make sure you're part of this transformative experience. This year marks 25 years of SMP – Australia's leading event for Australian STEM professionals to get career-boosting training, engagement with policymakers, and invaluable networking opportunities. Join us for this special milestone event to deepen your skills, expand your influence, and build lasting connections.

Last week the Department of Industry, Science and Resources published the Australian Innovation Statistics, which provided valuable data on investment in R&D. In doing so, it strongly reinforced the reason why STA advocated for and welcomed the strategic examination of R&D announced in May in response to the Universities Accord process. We wait with bated breath for the Terms of Reference and panel.

The Australian Innovation Statistics highlight that while government investment in R&D has increased over the last year, private sector investment is flatlining, and in some cases decreasing. Fewer large firms are now 'innovation-active'.

The data highlights the urgency of establishing the Terms of Reference for the strategic examination of R&D funding and getting on with the job of building the conditions business needs to have the confidence to invest in R&D. We look forward to engaging further with the Department about how to use the economy-boosting power of R&D to create the future the country wants and needs, and ensuring we're not getting left behind by our international competitors.

I was pleased to recently meet with Assistant Minister Tim Ayres, who is responsible for the Future Made in Australia agenda. We need an Australian future built on Australia ideas and skills, so discussing how science and R&D can drive the development of new industries and transform existing ones with the Minister was deeply important.  It was encouraging to see his strong commitment to harnessing innovation and research to build a more resilient and competitive future.

One way the country is already driving that future is through the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants, so I was delighted to see 23 successful recipients of this funding announced this week by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic.

Among the recipients awarded more than $55 million in grants are companies developing an AI-enabled scanner to assess beef quality, one working on increasing the purity of alumina, and another creating a shared anchor to scale up offshore renewables. It is targeted investments like these through the CRC-P grants that drive genuine research translational activities between universities and industry. The Government would do well to look deeply at programs like the CRC-P as part of the strategic examination of R&D funding, when it starts, as case studies for success.

Last week STA was delighted to support the Safeguarding Australia through Biotechnology Response and Engagement (SABRE) Alliance workshop Adelaide. This was an exciting day of panels, presentations and scenario work, and it was great to have a number of STA members playing such a key and influential role in these discussions. I had the pleasure of moderating a panel on how government and private funded ideas, sparked from any discipline or sector, can be nurtured and propelled to have a real-world impact.

Finally, last call for nominations for STA’s President-Elect and Board Director positions! These are crucial STEM sector roles with the ability to significantly influence policy, so I strongly encourage you to put your hands up – or suggest it to others you think should do so. In the Board Director positions we’re particularly keen to get nominations from eligible STEM sector professionals with expertise in government relations and advocacy, STEM sector leaderships, and business development and strategy. You can read more about the nomination process here and nominations close on 1 November. 

All the best,

Ryan Winn

CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

• Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic launched the Australian Innovation Statistics report.
• The Department of Industry Resources and Science released the most recent SRI Budget Tables, accompanied by an analysis.
• Aussie AI month is in full swing, launched by Minister Ed Husic.
• The Government also announced AI Adopt Centres offering training to help SMEs deploy and manage AI systems; the AI Impact Navigator to help users apply voluntary standards to their work and measure impact; a guide on how to use AI in environmental, social and governance work; and Minister Husic also addressed the ATSE Gala Dinner, which celebrated the 2024 ATSE Awards winners.
• The Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Indigenous Health Ged Kearney announced the Partnerships for Cancer grants program to fund cancer research in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• The Minister for Education Jason Clare addressed the Welcoming Universities Summit, as well as the University Chancellors Council National Conference on University Governance.
• Minister Clare also addressed the Australian International Education Conference, as did the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts.
• The Indian Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan visited Australia, including a visit to see STA President Prof Sharath Sriram’s lab at RMIT.
• The Pacific Academy of Sciences was launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa at a side event. 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

• The NHMRC is consulting on new Australian drinking water guidelines. Submissions close 22 November. 
• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is consulting on biosecurity risks of importing melons from Japan. Submissions close 16 December. 

GRANTS, FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Women in STEMM Australia has announced four new locations for its STEMM Strolls. STEMM Strolls is an initiative to bring STEMM students and professionals together in regional areas. Upcoming Strolls: Townsville 29 October, Ballarat 30 October, Sunshine Coast 1 November and Bendigo 1 November. Registration is essential.
• The Australian Maths Trust is recruiting for key roles in its European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad and European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics program, including team leader and deputy team leader positions. Email hr[at]amt.edu.au to request the position descriptions and apply before 25 October.
• Round 2 of the Singapore–Australia Go-Green Co-Innovation Program is now open. Applications close on 14 November.
• Applications are open for grants for new DonateLife community partners to help raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Applications close 18 November.
• The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has opened applications for First Nations International Fellowships and Partnerships Grants until 22 November. 
• Applications are open for the Partnerships for Cancer grant program for research led by or conducted in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. Applications close 12 February, minimum data due 4 December.

MEMBER NEWS

Science Meets Parliament – 25 years in 2025

It's time to save the date for Science Meets Parliament 2025! Our annual flagship event will be celebrating its 25 years in 2025. Don't miss this career-boosting and milestone event; mark 12–13 February in your calendar. Learn about#SMP2025 Partnership opportunities now.

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