Funding important research

A research project to develop a vaccine to fight food poisoning in chickens will share $6.4 million in Morrison Government funding.

Minister for Education Dan Tehan today announced 16 research projects that will share $6.4 million in funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

The successful projects include:

  • $989,000 to develop a vaccine to reduce Campylobacter bacteria in chickens, which is a bacteria that causes infections in chickens and humans (University of Melbourne).
  • $604,841 to develop a breed of black rice that can exploit the high UV Australian growing environment (Southern Cross University).
  • $261,000 for a research collaboration with the World Bank and Indonesia Planning Authority to develop a cutting-edge economic policy model that can be used by emerging economies in Asia (The University of New South Wales).

“If the researchers can successfully develop a vaccine for Campylobacter, it will reduce the transfer of the infection to humans, which is great news for Australia’s $2.8 billion poultry industry and the general public,” Mr Tehan said.

“Researchers will also investigate the interaction between crop genetics and the growing environment to develop a strain of black rice that is optimised for Australian growing conditions, which would make us a world-leading producer of this food staple.

“We are strategically investing in partnerships between universities, industry and government to drive the commercialisation of research.

“Our Government is working with universities and industry to improve employment outcomes for Australians, grow our economy and meet the needs of business.”

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