Centre Funding

The Australian Government and the State Government of Victoria provide the majority of funding to support the activities of the Australian Stem Cell Centre. Through their investment in the ASCC, both Commonwealth and State Governments have demonstrated a continuing commitment to sustain Australia's position at the forefront of stem cell research.

Biotechnology Centre of Excellence

In 2002 the Australian Stem Cell Centre received a competitively awarded grant of $43.55 million from the Howard Government's Backing Australia's Ability, Biotechnology Centre of Excellence Program.

To complement federal funding, the State Government of Victoria's Science Technology & Innovation program awarded the Australian Stem Cell Centre a further $10 million to support infrastructural elements of the Biotechnology Centre of Excellence.

In May 2004, the then Prime Minister announced a further $55 million grant under Backing Australia's Ability II, to support the Australian Stem Cell Centre's activities from 2006 to 2011. At the time of the announcement, Dr Hugh Niall, CEO, commended the Australian Government for its foresight and commitment to a long term vision of an Australian Biotechnology Centre of Excellence. (View press release 6 May 2004 "Australian National Stem Cell Centre Secures Additional Funding")

The objectives of the Biotechnology Centre of Excellence funding are to:

  • be a key driver and catalyst for Australia's continuing development of world-class capability in biotechnology research and its application for economic and social benefit to Australia;
  • increase Australia's capacity to be globally competitive in the creation and application of biotechnologies;
  • build the international reputation of the Australian biotechnology sector;
  • foster the creation of spin-off companies, networks and clusters of commercial biotechnology activity within Australia;
  • make the Centre and its role widely known within Australia with the aim of encouraging use of the Centre
  • commercialise Centre intellectual property in such a manner as to ensure that the maximum financial and investment benefit accrues to Australia, including without limitation, Australian industry and the Australian economy generally; and
  • keep the Australian Government informed about opportunities to enhance the Centre

The Australian Stem Cell Centre's performance against these objectives is closely monitored by the following Government departments:

  • Australian Research Council (ARC)
  • Australian Government, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR)
  • State Government of Victoria, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development

ASCC Research Services

The Australian Stem Cell Centre is a recipient of a $5.5 million grant from the former Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training's ASCC Research Services program.

To complement the federal funds, the State Government of Victoria's Science Technology & Innovation program awarded the Centre an additional $1.375 million to support infrastructural elements of the NRF. Additional funding has been provided Monash University, the ASCC's major partner in the NRF, to establish a central node of the facility on the University's Clayton campus.

The objectives of the ASCC Research Services Program are to:

  • improve Australia's capability in science, engineering and technology;
  • maintain and enhance Australia's international scientific and industrial competitiveness; and
  • support the rapid commercialisation of research results, through the provision of research infrastructure (equipment, tools and reagents) and services (training and professional advice) that will support stem cell research in Australia

Australian Government - Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Australian Government - Australian Research Council.

 

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