Australia-China Science and Research Fund – Joint Research Centres

Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF) – Joint Research Centres (JRCs) are virtual centres that link Australian and Chinese research institutions conducting a portfolio of research-related activities in priority areas agreed to by the Australian and Chinese governments. ACSRF–JRCs link Australian and Chinese research institutions to build research capacity, maximise the application and commercialisation of research outcomes, and boost collaboration between researchers and industry.

ACSRF–JRCs’ activities include:

• Joint research programs with Chinese partner/s
• Conferences, workshops and symposia
• Exchanges and secondments of personnel between Australia and China
• New research-related information sharing and communication initiatives
  

ACSRF–JRCs must demonstrate a clear path to utilisation of the research outcomes. To this end applicants are required to have an Australian industry or other end-user partner in addition to a Chinese partner.

Australian research partners of each successful ACSRF–JRC will receive grants of up to $1 million in total up to three years, with the Chinese Government supporting its respective Chinese partners.

Next round of ACSRF–JRCs

Applications are now open for Round 3 ACSRF–JRCs. Intending applicants can find out how to apply here: www.business.gov.au/ACJRC

The priority areas for Round 3 are:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Astronomy related technology, including big data
• New materials in manufacturing
• Cross-cutting technologies that will de-risk, scale up, and add value to manufactured products
• Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals
• Effective technologies for individuals to manage their own health care
• Better models of health care and services
• Resources and Energy
• Low emission energy production from fossil fuels and other sources
• New clean energy sources and storage technologies and demand response technologies that are efficient, cost-effective and reliable

Round 2 ACSRF–JRCs

Under Round 2 of ACSRF–JRCs, announced in December 2015, a $5.95 million investment in stronger innovation and science links with China is helping address challenges in the marine science, food and agribusiness, and mining equipment technology and services sectors.

The Round 2 ACSRF–JRCs are:

• Monash University and Soochow University researching dairy industry manufacturing process efficiencies and new high-value products.
• University of Adelaide and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University developing new cereal grains with long term health benefits.
• University of Melbourne and Chinese Agricultural University investigating healthy soils for sustainable food production.
• University of Melbourne and First Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administrations will develop a new generation of models to forecast and describe ocean and wave climatology.
• Australian Institute of Marine Science and Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science will explore the translation of data into management solutions for coastal pollution and ecosystem safety.
• University of South Australia and Central South University will develop in-line chemical and mineral sensing for sustainable mineral processing.

Previous JRCs

The ACSRF provided funding to the following six ACSRF–JRCs as part of Round 1, which were announced in December 2012:

• Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Energy
• Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Light Metals
• Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Wheat Improvement
• Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials
• Australia-China Joint Research Centre for River Basin Management
• ANSTO-SINAP Joint Materials Research Centre