In Queensland Australia, the Palaszczuk Government is calling on the world’s best and brightest bioscientists to apply for a share of AU$1 million in funding to support research that develops bioindustrial technology and the manufacturing of bioproducts.“Our state is in the midst of a biofutures revolution creating multi-million-dollar high-tech biorefineries and generating high-skilled jobs,” said Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick.
Speaking at the recently concluded Bio World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States (US), Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said funding research had the potential to improve the technology and manufacturing of biofuels, biochemicals and bioplastics from sustainable feedstocks or waste resources.
A vital part of our government’s biofutures action plan is investing in science and innovation to build Queensland’s capacity to conduct innovative research and development. The Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships program supports researchers undertaking original work that will have a positive impact on Queensland, with potential global reach, said Minister Dick.
The fellowship project must involve at least one Queensland-based industry organisation, that is, a private, public or not-for-profit organisation that will progress the translation and practical application of the research.
Partner organisations from anywhere in the world can join with our talented Queensland researchers to develop innovative technologies and bioproducts. Our vision is for a AU$1 billion sustainable and export-oriented industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector attracting significant international investment, and creating regional, high-value and knowledge-intensive jobs, Minister Dick said.
Dr Kameron Dunn from the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) encouraged fellow researchers to embrace the opportunity.
I encourage my fellow researchers to take up this fantastic opportunity. The funding supported our work to explore the ability to transform Queensland Sugarcane Industry and Queensland Petroleum Industry waste products into usable products, Dr Dunn said.
The Research Fellowships program offers early-career fellowships of AU$180 000 over three years and mid-career fellowships of AU$300 000 over three years. Applications are currently open and close on July 31, 2018.
Minister Dick said the Palaszczuk Government is leading Australia’s bio-economic revolution through the Advance Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.
The Biofutures Roadmap provides the leadership required to help Queensland leverage its strategic advantages and secure its share of the global bioproducts and services market – a market expected to be worth US$1.1 trillion by 2022, he said.
