Investing in 21st century education and research facilities
Priority projects funded through the EIF
Investing in priority infrastructure now will help to position Australia at the forefront of research in key future industries.
Examples of the priority projects funded through the EIF include:
- a $55 million contribution to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research to expand its research into genetics and population health, cancer and cell biology, immunology and infectious diseases
- $45 million towards an Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania to help create a marine science precinct on the Hobart waterfront
- $44 million for a Wollongong based Australian Institute for Innovative Materials to improve commercialisation by taking research beyond the scale‑up and proof‑of‑concept stage/
See Appendix A for full list of projects.
Building world‑class research capabilities
Recognising the importance of infrastructure to Australia's universities and public research agencies, the Government will provide $2.6 billion from the Education Investment Fund (EIF) for priority infrastructure projects.
This builds on the significant capital investment already made, including $500 million in the 2008‑09 Budget, $1 billion for Teaching and Learning Capital Funds and $580 million for the first EIF funding round.
The Government is delivering education infrastructure that supports the responses to the Bradley and Cutler reviews and ensures our research institutes have the facilities they need for the 21st century. Public sector research will benefit from:
- $481 million for 11 teaching and learning higher education projects
- $322 million for eight research‑based higher education projects
- $901 million for the Super Science initiative to build capacity in key future industries including space, marine, climate and nuclear science
- $132 million for 12 vocational education and training projects
- $750 million for the third EIF funding round
- — $250 million of this will be partnered with up to $400 million under the Clean Energy Initiative to form a $650 million Sustainability Round.
Breakdown of immediate‑start EIF funding for education and research
