The development of portable sanitising chambers that could help stop the spread of COVID-19 at hospitals and airports is one of 10 collaborative projects to share in $8.5 million in funding from the Morrison Government.
Round 3 of the Global Innovation Linkages Program supports research and development projects that help to solve real world challenges and improve lives.
The grants include $500,000 for the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and its partners to develop a low-cost, prefabricated sanitising chamber to be used at high-risk COVID-19 infection transmission sites to disinfect clothing and external surfaces.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said grants under this Round of the Global Innovation Linkages Program were strategically focused on six areas: advanced manufacturing; food and agribusiness, medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, mining technology and equipment; energy resources and; cyber security.
"Whether it's helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, developing new treatments for chronic diseases, or creating new food products for export markets, the Global Innovation Linkages Program brings together the best and brightest minds from at home and abroad to drive innovation and find solutions to complex problems," Minister Porter said.
"By supporting such partnerships we are also creating new opportunities for our local industries and driving the economic growth and job creation we need as we continue to recover from the pandemic."
Other funding recipients under Round 3 include:
- Deep Brain Stimulation Technologies Pty Ltd (VIC) with a grant of $1 million to develop an innovative treatment for Parkinson's disease.
- Bellaseno Pty Ltd (QLD) with a grant of $1 million to manufacture personalised implants and perform feasibility clinical trials for regenerative scaffolds for breast reconstruction and large bone defects.
- University of Sydney (NSW) with a grant of $993,573 for a project to investigate methods to convert Australia's pulse crops into protein-based foods.
- University of Adelaide (SA) with a grant of $500,000 for a project helping to prove the species and provenance origin of timber, tree oil and food products.
For a full list of Round 3 recipients and to learn more about the Global Innovation Linkages Program visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/global-innovation-linkages-program/round-3-grant-recipients
