Australia Awards Auto Research Grants

Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, is awarded A$270,000 ($279,915) from the federal government to develop lightweight automotive components using a flexible roll-forming technique that will improve fuel efficiency and crashworthiness.

Innovation Minister Kim Carr says investing in research is vital for the development of innovative ideas, creation of jobs and better quality of life for Australians.

Australia Innovation Mimister Kim Carr.

Researchers in the state of Victoria are receiving A$76 million ($78.7 million) in federal grants for 258 components development projects aimed at making cars greener and safer.

Carr says the automotive studies are part of the Australian Research Council’s 2012 grants announcement, with A$310 million ($321.3 million) allocated for more than 1,000 research projects nationwide.

Funding will begin in 2012 and be administered over a period of up to five years.