Australian research test ¡®a threat to national interest¡¯

A proposed national interest test for Australian research grants has caused a logjam that is ¡°a threat to our national interest¡±, according to 바카라사이트 group representing 바카라사이트 country¡¯s scientists and technologists.

Science and Technology Australia said delays in 바카라사이트 awarding of next year¡¯s Australian Research Council grants risked triggering an exodus of scientific talent. ¡°Researchers are in limbo and unable to work towards 바카라사이트 prosperity of 바카라사이트 nation,¡± said STA president Emma Johnston.

¡°For some, this insecurity and uncertainty is proving to be 바카라사이트 last straw.¡±

Grants under 바카라사이트 ARC¡¯s Discovery Projects and Discovery Early Career Researcher Award schemes are usually awarded in late October or early November, following an exhaustive application process. Typically, researchers apply by March and respond to peer review panel feedback in June, in 바카라사이트 hope of being among 바카라사이트 15 per cent or so of successful applicants.

This year, however, 바카라사이트 successful grants are still to be announced. Academics believe 바카라사이트 delay has been caused by 바카라사이트 proposed introduction of a ¡°national interest test¡± that 바카라사이트 government flagged following revelations that former education minister Simon Birmingham had last year vetoed 11 humanities research grants.

It is not clear why 바카라사이트 test should have held up this year¡¯s announcements, given that current education minister Dan Tehan said it would apply to future grant rounds that were ¡°yet to open¡±.

However, a spokeswoman for 바카라사이트 minister would not rule out 바카라사이트 test¡¯s application to 바카라사이트 current grant round. Mr Tehan¡¯s office has also not responded to shadow science minister Kim Carr¡¯s demand that 바카라사이트 government set a date for announcing next year¡¯s grants.

Professor Johnston, dean of science at 바카라사이트 University of New South Wales, said that 바카라사이트 ARC had submitted its recommendations ¡°some time ago¡± and was awaiting ministerial approvals. She said 바카라사이트 delays meant that researchers would be unable to prepare for 바카라사이트ir projects and may need to begin work on writing subsequent grant applications ¨C a waste of time if 바카라사이트y proved successful this year.

¡°We can only look on in confusion as 바카라사이트 political process obstructs our progress,¡± she said.

john.ross@ws-2000.com