Australian manufacturing and innovation capabilities are set to benefit from a new round of international research funding, with $6.2 million awarded under the Global Science & Technology Diplomacy Fund – Strategic Element.
According to the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), the second funding round – delivered with the Australian Academy of Science and backed by the Australian Government – aims to strengthen collaboration between Australian and international researchers in priority areas including advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
Among the funded initiatives is a project led by Dr Hazer Inatelkin and his team at Macquarie University, which will receive $592,645 to develop a machine learning framework enabling satellites to operate as a coordinated, self-organising network.
The project, conducted with South Korean collaborators, is intended to improve the reliability of satellite communications in sectors such as agriculture, mining, public safety and critical infrastructure.
Another grant recipient is Dr Hien Duong and researchers at the University of Sydney, who have secured $1 million to work with Vietnamese partners on a biological treatment targeting harmful bacteria in shrimp farming. The project is expected to contribute to food security and reduce antimicrobial use while supporting more sustainable aquaculture practices.
ATSE CEO Professor Kylie Walker said the program highlights the role of international collaboration in advancing innovation, including in manufacturing-related fields.
“Whether it’s delivering better health care, protecting the oceans, or exploring the moon – the nine recipients announced today are extraordinary Australian teams building incredible technology and innovations,” she said.
Walker added that the fund enables researchers to partner internationally to address shared challenges. “If we want to build productivity and empower Australia’s future, we need to invest in research and development and work together with international partners – especially in the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.
She also noted that funded work spans areas such as hydrogen production, satellite systems and more energy-efficient advanced manufacturing, describing these as “challenges both for Australia and our global community.”
President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish, said collaboration between research and industry can accelerate outcomes. “When researchers collaborate with industry partners, it can deliver big rewards and accelerate innovation, particularly when done on an international scale,” he said.
He added that the program strengthens science and technology capability across the Asia–Pacific region, and congratulated the successful recipients of the latest funding round.
The Global Science & Technology Diplomacy Fund is designed to support Australian researchers and developers in expanding international partnerships, with a focus on advancing innovation across sectors including manufacturing.
