The Morrison Government will invest $2 billion in Australian universities next year, driving research and innovation in support of future economic growth.
Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert, said the funding, delivered through the Research Support Program and Research Training Program in 2022, would support tens of thousands of Masters and PhD students to complete their courses and ensure an ongoing high quality research workforce.
'The Morrison Government is committed to funding university research and developing future generations of innovators that will also create employment opportunities, drive innovation, and support our economy,' Minister Robert said.
'Australia's higher degree by research system is vital to the nation's economy and the Morrison Government's continued investment will lift Australian universities' capabilities and ensure a solid base for greater research commercialisation for the nation's economic benefit.
'Over the next four years, the Morrison Government will invest more than $13 billion through the Education portfolio alone to support research in Australia, including $8 billion in research block grant funding.
'This includes the Trailblazer Universities program recently announced by the Prime Minister. Trailblazer gives four universities access to more than $240 million to build world-class research commercialisation capability.'
