VET News

A Critical Boost for Regional Research!

As part of the Job-ready Graduates package, students, universities, businesses, and communities in regional Australia will all benefit from a boost in research capability through the opening of the Morrison Government’s Regional Research Collaboration (RRC) Program.

The RRC Program will:

• fund research collaboration between regional universities, industry and other higher education providers
• help address the challenges associated with undertaking research in regional institutions
• improve support for regional areas by strengthening rural research capacity
• create more opportunities for Australians in regional areas to pursue post-graduate qualifications
• open more opportunities to develop local industries
• help regional institutions develop their research strengths, particularly through skills development.

Minister for Education and Youth, the Hon. Alan Tudge, said the $48.8 million scheme would grow and strengthen research activity in regional Australia by linking regional researchers with businesses and universities outside the region.

“Regional universities are perfectly placed to be at the forefront of critical research on issues like drought resilience, food security, new farming technologies, and regional health, but we know this can be challenging,” Minister Tudge said.  “Regional institutions and their students should have access to the same resources and opportunities as their metropolitan counterparts. The RRC will give regional universities the volume to attract the best students, researchers and equipment.

“The RRC program aims to develop industry and research strengths in regional institutions, particularly through skills development,” Minister Gee said. “Eligible applicants will be assessed on research priorities of the Government, industry and university sectors, and the long-term benefits they bring to the institution and the region.”

As a continued support measure, outer regional and remote students who need to relocate to study can still apply for a $5,000 support payment, under the Government's Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) and can apply for the TAP through their participating university.

Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, the Hon. Andrew Gee, said the Government was committed to supporting all school leavers, particularly those in outer regional and rural communities. "This payment will support those outer regional school leavers who have committed to further education this year and encourage more school leavers into study in the years ahead.".

Applications for the RRC program are now open and will close on 18 May 2021 and eligible universities are invited to apply using the Application Form.  Please email the completed form to RRC@dese.gov.au. Successful applications are expected to be notified in June 2021 with approved projects to begin in the second half of 2021.  Further rounds will be open in subsequent years.

Date posted Apr 15, 2021