UNSW has outperformed every other university in the country to receive $10.5 million for industry-based collaborative research projects in the latest funding round from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Thirty UNSW projects received support – the highest number nationally – in the Linkage Project scheme, which teams university researchers with industry, business and community partners to forge innovative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems.

The UNSW winners were among 251 projects that received more than $88 million over the next four years in the funding round, announced today by Minister for Education Christopher Pyne. Under the scheme, industry partners must also make a significant cash and/or in-kind contribution to their projects.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Les Field said: “This is a great result for UNSW – the Linkage program reflects our strong engagement with industry and with the end-users of our research".

"The successful projects come from across the University and these grants will support research into industry-relevant problems as well as translate good UNSW innovations into the community where they can be of real use,” he said.

UNSW biomedical engineers featured prominently, winning four separate grants totaling more than $1.3 million.

One of the grants – $372,000 – went to a group led by Associate Professor Gregg Suaning , who is working with Cochlear Limited to deliver smaller, more sophisticated and targeted life-time implantable bionic devices to better treat disease.

One of the largest grants -- $625,000 – went to an ASB team led by Professor Kevin Fox, in partnership with property fund manager Corval, to examine the economic measurement of property markets and better understand property price bubbles, market disequilibrium and the role of these markets in economic growth and productivity.

Other major grants include:

  • $520,000 to a team led by law professor Justin O’Brien investigating professional standards within capital markets to improve trust and market confidence.
  • $420,000 to a team led by Professor Michael Ferry, from the School of Material Sciences and Engineering, in partnership with Cold Forged Products, to investigate the design of new lightweight alloys for use in the automotive industry.

For a full rundown of the ARC Linkage Project winners, go to the ARC website.

Media contact: Steve Offner, UNSW Media, 02 9385 1583.