Advance Queensland Research Fellowships now open

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced that applications are open for the first program released through the new $180 million Advance Queensland initiative, which will position Queensland as a leader in the knowledge economy and create jobs now and for the future.

Ms Palaszczuk, opening today’s Queensland Futures Summit in Brisbane, said the Advance Queensland Research Fellowships will provide $28.5 million to support emerging research leaders over the next three years.

“The fellowships will help consolidate and improve on Queensland’s world-class reputation for research excellence,” the Premier said.

“Through these new Advance Queensland fellowships, we will regain some of the momentum we lost in research and innovation in recent years by investing in our top talent to keep the bright ideas, innovators and entrepreneurs in Queensland to benefit our economy.

“They will allow us to develop our smartest minds here at home, as well as to continue to attract the best from overseas.

“We understand we have to build on our past strengths, and further invest in our knowledge based economy, because that’s where the jobs are being created. 

“Advance Queensland will help make our state a place where our research institutions work in collaboration with industry to take great ideas and turn them into commercial outcomes. 

“The Research Fellowships program is a key component of Advance Queensland’s Best and Brightest Fund that will help develop, attract and retain world-class talent - both scientific and entrepreneurial.”

The $28.5 million Advance Queensland Research Fellowships will provide the following grants: 

• early-career fellowships - $180,000 over three years
• mid-career fellowships - $300,000 over three years. 

Science and Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch said the fellowships will support emerging research leaders to establish research reputations by leading and managing projects. The recipients will be working with Queensland research institutions in collaboration with industry to ensure research is translating into commercial outcomes. 

“The Advance Queensland Research Fellowships will also address the brain drain by attracting researchers from overseas and interstate, and retaining those bright minds already in Queensland,” Ms Enoch said. 

“These fellowships, as part of Advance Queensland, will continue to build Queensland’s reputation and capacity to conduct innovative research and development that translates into real outcomes.” 

For more information on Advance Queensland please go to www.qld.gov.au/advanceqld or call 13 QGOV (13 7468)