The Science and Innovation team manages State Government funding for a range of other projects, research facilities and centres.
Innovation Co-investment Program
The Innovation Co-investment Program invests in innovative research that will bring significant Commonwealth, international or industry research funding to Western Australia.
Current grants
UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Perth Office
The funds enable the Perth office to continue to serve as a regional focus for promotion, facilitation and coordination of IOC programs and support a wide range of stakeholders, to improve information on the oceans.
For more information visit the
UNESCO - IOC website.
Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI)
Launched in October 2015, WABSI is an unincorporated joint venture between the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, CSIRO, Curtin University, the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Murdoch University, the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority, The University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum.
WABSI is facilitating the development and uptake of scientific knowledge to protect Western Australia's unique terrestrial biodiversity (flora and fauna). WABSI’s work will support more informed and timely decision making with respect to reconciling Western Australia’s economic and urban development with the conservation and management of the State’s biodiversity assets. A key goal for WABSI is improved management and access for biodiversity data gathered by government, research agencies and industry, including via supporting the development of a database for use as a public resource.
The State Government is providing $6.68 million funding (managed by the Office of Science) over five years to 2020 to support WABSI.
Busselton Health Study
The collection of population health data in Busselton was initiated in 1966. The aim was to establish and conduct population health research in a community setting “that would not only provide important information into the prevalence and causes of common diseases” but also empower participants to take an active role in their health and well-being.
The State Government is continuing its support of this unique community health study through $500,000 funding from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation over two years from 2018, in addition to Department of Health funding.
For more information visit the
Busselton Population Medical Research Institute website.
The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR)
ICRAR is a world-class astronomical science and engineering research facility. It plays a key role in leading Western Australia's involvement in the Square Kilometre Array project and has attracted high calibre radio astronomy and engineering expertise to Western Australia. ICRAR is active in engaging the community with science, providing training opportunities and advancing higher education. ICRAR also contributes to the development of ICT capability and expertise in the State.
The State Government's investment in ICRAR is managed by the department. The State Government has invested a total of $46 million in ICRAR since its establishment in 2009. This includes a commitment made in August 2013 of $26 million over six years to 2019. ICRAR is an equal joint venture between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia and works closely with research and industry partners throughout Australia and the world.
For more information,
visit the ICRAR website.
Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
The Pawsey Supercomputing Centre is a leader in advanced computing. It offers world-class facilities and expertise in high performance computing and visualisation technologies to support a range of applications across industry and research in Western Australia.
The Pawsey Supercomputing Centre comprises an $80 million, purpose built structure housing supercomputers. The Centre has the primary aim of hosting new supercomputing capabilities and expertise to support a variety of scientific research disciplines. The Centre now houses the Magnus supercomputer, which is the highest ranking research supercomputer in the southern hemisphere and capable of performing a million billion calculations simultaneously every second.
The facilities incorporate initiatives to minimise impact on the environment and best practice technologies to reduce energy usage. The Centre is configured to focus on the two priority research areas of radio astronomy and geosciences. The Centre is central to the Square Kilometre Array project, the largest scientific project in history.
The State Government's investment in the Centre is managed by the Office of Science.
The State Government has invested a total of $32.3 million in the Centre since its establishment in 2000. In the May 2015 budget, a further $21.552 million was announced over five years from 2016. The Centre is a joint venture between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia.
For more information, visit the
Pawsey Supercomputing Centre website.
Western Australian Ambassador for Life Sciences
Between 2006 and 2016, the State Government provideds $10.29 million funding to support the operations of the Office of the Nobel Laureates, Professor Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren whose discovery of the bacterium Heliobacter pylori as a cause of gastritis and stomach ulcers was recognised in the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005.
This support enabled the Nobel Laureates to discharge the various duties associated with their status, including their roles as Western Australian Ambassadors for Life Sciences. The State Government is providing further funding of $500,000 over two years to 2018 to continue Professor Marshall’s ambassadorial role, including supporting State science priorities related to health, data and science engagement.
For more information visit the
Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training website.
Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI)
WAMSI is a world-class marine research institute. It supports the conservation and sustainable management of Western Australia's unique marine environment. WAMSI also contributes to the State Government's Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy by undertaking the research component of the program and increasing knowledge of the region's marine habitats.
The State Government has invested a total of $37.116 million in WAMSI since its establishment in 2005. This includes a commitment of $2.616 million over three years to 2021. WAMSI will continue to support the priorities of the end-user driven Blueprint for Marine Science 2050 and the Blueprint for Marine Science Initiative – Implementation Strategy 2016-18.
WAMSI is a collaborative effort of a range of partners from across academia, government and industry.
For more information, visit the WAMSI website.