The Australian Government has awarded 11 new research partnerships Linkage Project grants totalling $5 million.
To date, the program's 2018 funding round has awarded 35 grants totalling over $15 million. Advanced manufacturing has been the most commonly funded Science and Research Priority (8 project), followed by Energy (4) and Health (4).
However, with over $1 million a Tasmanian Devil conservation study won the largest amount awarded to an individual project.
Led by the University of Sydney, the research is looking at the long-term genetic impacts of a 'Wild Devil Recovery' initiative carried out as part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. The initiative aims to reduce the impact that inbreeding has on Devil populations by introducing small numbers of genetically diverse individuals.
The US not-for-profit San Diego Zoo Global, and the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment are both collaborating in the project.