Member Login - Account - Logout

Science and Technology Australia
  • Home
  • About STA
    • Who is STA?
    • Our history
    • Alliances and Partnerships
    • Board and Executive
    • Governance
    • Work for us
    • Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science meets Parliament
    • Science meets Policymakers
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshop
    • STEM Ambassadors
  • Events
    • STA events
    • Member events
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Join STA
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
    • Media
  • Home
  • About STA
    • Who is STA?
    • Our history
    • Alliances and Partnerships
    • Board and Executive
    • Governance
    • Work for us
    • Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science meets Parliament
    • Science meets Policymakers
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshop
    • STEM Ambassadors
  • Events
    • STA events
    • Member events
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Join STA
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
    • Media
29 October 2018

Research grants allocations must remain independent

Eielson Airmen research alternative energy resources

Peak body Science & Technology Australia today emphasised the importance of maintaining independence in the federal research granting process, following revelations that former Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham interfered with the last Australian Research Council (ARC) grants round.

“To have projects rejected by a minister, based on their personal opinion, represents an inexcusable intrusion on a process that is specifically designed to ensure academic excellence, independence and rigour.” STA President Professor Emma Johnston AO said today.

“Our highly competitive research funding system is considered world’s best practice and ensures that funding decisions are based on independent and rigorous assessment by experts in their fields. Through his actions, the Minister has opened the doors for political influence to affect funding outcomes. When the very best research is no longer the research that gets funded it threatens our ability to compete on the global stage as an innovation nation.”

Earlier this week Senate Estimates heard that 11 projects were rejected by the minister, totalling $4.2 million in research investment.

“There can be no doubt that the work undertaken under the Australian Research Council grants program produces important results both at home and internationally,” Professor Johnston said.

“The research projects supported in each funding round are assessed and peer reviewed by experts in the field, with recommendations made to the minister for final allocations. For the past 13 years the minister of the time has accepted the recommendations of the experts.

“The process is transparent and designed to ensure that the best and most innovative projects are funded.”

As a peak body that represents 70,000 scientists, many of whom are researchers, Science & Technology Australia is fundamentally opposed to political interference in the research funding process.

“Freedom to pursue and to share knowledge is a fundamental right protected by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation. Australian researchers deserve to know that their work is assessed on merit, rather than by the politics of the day.”

“Given the impending announcement of ARC Discovery grant awards for 2019, STA seeks assurance from the current Education Minister that the peer-review selection process and recommendations have been respected.”

For media enquiries, please contact (02) 6257 2891.

Share
Previous StoryNew science and tech leaders join STA board
Next StoryRegional higher education an important piece of the research puzzle

Related Articles

  • climate_change_legislation(2)_220815
    Pass the climate legislation and ‘name and fame’ transition leaders
  • Paul Fletcher MP speaks at National Science Week Launch
    Shadow Science Minister Paul Fletcher's speech at National Science Week launch

ABOUT US

Science & Technology Australia (STA) is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. We represent more than 80,000 scientists and technologists. STA is an influential voice for evidence and expertise in public policy.

Recent news

  • Pass the climate legislation and ‘name and fame’ transition leaders
  • Shadow Science Minister Paul Fletcher’s speech at National Science Week launch
  • National Science Week 2022 events

Our members

  • All Members
  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • General Science and Technology
  • Geographical and Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medical and Cognitive Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Plant and Ecological Sciences
  • Technological Sciences

Search for news

Most popular

  • Nominations open for the STA Policy Committee and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
  • Shadow Science Minister Paul Fletcher’s speech at National Science Week launch
  • Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles’ speech to launch National Science Week
  • National Science Week 2022 events
  • Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic’s speech to launch National Science Week

Sign up to our newsletter

STA PRIVACY POLICY

OTHER STA POLICIES

Twitter feed

  • RT @FutureYouOz: There's lots to ♥️ about #sciencecareers. Just ask these @ScienceAU #superstarsofSTEM. “We need people with different pe…
  • RT @mishaschubert: On behalf of Australia’s science and tech sectors, we at @ScienceAU urge the Senate to pass the #climatechange legislati…
  • Australia’s #climatechange legislation should be passed - and improved further with an added commitment to ‘name an… https://t.co/PnSgknmr3N
  • RT @NYSFoz: Do you want to become a role model for young people thinking of entering the STEM sector? Then get your application in for #Su…
Follow us
The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) trading as Science & Technology Australia (STA) is an association incorporated under the ACT Associations Act.

ABN 71 626 822 845
Registered charity logo
Click here for more info
  • HOME
  • News and media releases
  • Become a member
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 Science & Technology Australia. All Rights Reserved