Key Points
- The Joint Research Engagement (JRE) scheme provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to eligible Australian higher education providers (HEPs).
- From 2010, the JRE replaced the Institutional Grant Scheme (IGS). The JRE gives greater emphasis to end-user research by encouraging and supporting collaborative research activities between universities, industry and end-users, beyond those specifically supported by competitive grants.
- The JRE funding will continue to support soft infrastructure as well as the maintenance of capital items (not capital purchases), but will change the way that the level of funding for each university is calculated.
Facts and Figures
Legislation
Higher Education Support Act 2003
Length of program and proposed annual budget over the program's life
The JRE is an ongoing program.
|
|
Actual
2009-2010*
$’000 |
Estimate
2010-2011*
$’000 |
Estimate
2011-2012*
$’000 |
Estimate
2012-2013*
$’000 |
Estimate
2013-2014*
$’000 |
|
IGS |
157,272 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
JRE |
160,575 |
323,719 |
330,857 |
341,463 |
354,277 |
Source: Portfolio Budget Statements 2010-11
*Paid on a calendar year basis
The JRE is a new initiative announced in the 2009-10 Budget. The JRE is cost neutral as it involves refocusing the existing funds available through IGS. (Note: funding for the 2009-10 financial year commenced on 1 January 2010 using the balance of the previous allocation from the IGS).
Eligibility and target audience
To be eligible for funding, HEPs must be listed in sections 16-15 and 16-20 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.