Australian Embassy and Mission to the EU

Belgium-Luxembourg

Embassy address: Rue Guimardstraat 6-8, 1040 Brussels - Telephone: +32 (0) 2 286 0500 - Fax: +32 (0) 2 231 07 88

Science, Research and Innovation

Science, research and innovation are key to Australia’s future. They boost productivity and international competitiveness and enable Australia to meet social and environmental challenges. The Australian Government is committed to fostering innovation across the Australian economy to ensure that Australia reaches its full potential as a dynamic, internationally competitive and prosperous nation.

► MINISTER FOR INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Senator The Hon Kim Carr was sworn in as Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on 3 December 2007. He has a long-standing interest in the policy areas of his portfolio and has served as Shadow Minister for Science and Research (2001-2004) and for Industry and Innovation (2003-2004).

See Minister Carr's Website.

► DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) works to ensure an integrated approach to innovation and to maximise the synergies between the different elements of the innovation system. The Department’s portfolio covers industry, innovation, small business, science & research and measurement.

See DIISR website.

► DIISR BRUSSELS OFFICE

The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has an office located at the Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. The role of the Office is to:
♦ Strengthen Australia’s engagement with the European Union (EU), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and European partner countries in the area of science, research and innovation;
♦ Support the Australia/New Zealand bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope;
♦ Promote policy dialogue between Australia and the EU, OECD and European partner countries on topics of mutual interest and common challenges in the area of science, research and innovation.

Contact details:
Science, Research and Innovation Section
Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Union
Rue Guimardstraat 6
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 286 05 88
Email: diisr.brussels@dfat.gov.au

► ENGAGEMENT WITH EUROPE

Europe as an entity is a major science and research player in the world and a strategic priority for Australian international science and research engagement:
♦ Europe is Australia’s biggest scientific cooperation partner;
♦ Europe produces a greater share of the world’s scientific literature than the United States;
♦ Some European countries (such as Sweden, Finland and Denmark) are the biggest investors in research and development (as a proportion of GDP) worldwide;
♦ The Seventh Framework Programme for Research provides €54 billion over seven years from 2007-2013 for collaborative research and represents a significant source of research funding in Europe.

In 1994, Australia became the first non-EU member country to sign a Science and Technology Agreement with the EU. Since then, cooperation has been acitve and steadily increasing in a diverse range of research areas.

Following the Science and Technology Agreement between Australia and the European Union, Australian researchers are able to join their European counterparts as full participants in research programmes which are managed by the European Commission under the European Union’s Framework Programme. Australian researchers are not eligible for funding under the Framework Programme unless their participation is deemed to be essential for the success of a particular project.

The Agreement also encourages European participation in Australian research activities. The Joint Science and Technology Consultative Committee (JSTCC), established under the Agreement, meets regularly to exchange information and to discuss ways to enhance research collaboration. The most recent meeting was held in Australia over 7-9 June 2010. For the communiqué, check here.

► INFORMATION ON EU-AUSTRALIA RESEARCH COOPERATION

♦ Forum for European Australian Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST);
♦ European Union Delegation in Australia.

Information for researchers moving to/from Australia and to/from Europe:
♦ Australian Researchers Mobility Portal;
♦ European Researcher Portal - EURAXESS.

► THE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH SYSTEM

Australia has a diverse research system which includes:
♦ Government Departments
♦ Research Funding Agencies:
   Australian Research Council
   National Health & Medical Research Council
♦ Research/Industry Linkage Organisations:
   Co-operative Research Centres
    Rural Research & Development Corporations
♦ Universities
♦ Medical Research Agencies & Programs
♦ Science & Technology Societies
♦ Learned Academies