Australia-China Science and Research Fund
The Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF) supports strategic science, technology and innovation collaboration between Australia and China.
Priority areas of research
The ACSRF has supported research collaboration across a large number of areas, including for example:
- food and agribusiness
- medical technologies and pharmaceuticals
- renewable energy.
Funding activities
The ACSRF facilitates activities that:
- support enduring partnerships between Australian and Chinese researchers
- encourage the application and commercialisation of research outcomes
- provide early career researchers the opportunity to gain Australia-China research experience.
We jointly manage the ACSRF with the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China.
The ACSRF comprises 3 elements:
- Joint Research Centres
- Thematic science workshops, seminars and symposia (including the Australia-China Science Academies Symposia Series)
- Young Scientists Exchange Programme.
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Australia-China Science and Research Fund: Joint Research Centres
The Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF) Joint Research Centres (ACSRF – JRCs) are virtual centres that link Australian and Chinese institutions and fund research in priority areas agreed between both governments.
The ACSRF – JRCs:
- build research capacity
- maximise the application and commercialisation of research outcomes
- boost collaboration between researchers and industry
- facilitate joint efforts and outcomes that exceed what an individual research project can expect.
Competitive grant rounds are held regularly. You may only apply while a round is open.
Program guidelines apply to Australian applicants only. Chinese applicants should follow the Chinese Government guidelines.
Learn more about how we collaborate with China on science and research.
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Australia-China Science and Research Fund: thematic science workshops, seminars and symposia
The Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF) supports Australia-China science and technology workshops, seminars and symposia. This includes the long standing Australia-China Science Academies Symposia Series.
Established in 2004, the Australia-China Science Academies Symposia Series strengthens cooperative research links between Australia and China in areas of mutual interest.
This forum is jointly organised by the:
- Australian Academy of Science (AAS)
- Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Learn more about how we collaborate with China on science and research.
Past symposia
- 2019: 15th symposium on Precision Medicine was held in Victoria, Australia from 6-8 November.
- 2018: 14th symposium on Light Changes Your Life was held in Changchun, China on 27–29 August.
- 2017: 13th symposium on Synthetic Biology was held in Brisbane, Australia on 17–19 October. Australian and Chinese researchers discussed their research on macromolecular design, engineering of biochemical pathways and genome-scale re-design of living organisms and the ethical and regulatory implications of synthetic biology research.
- 2016: 12th symposium on Advanced Materials was held in Ningbo, China on 21–23 September. Experts from Australia and China explored research and the industrial applications of advanced materials.
- 2015: 11th symposium on neuroscience was held in Melbourne on 15–16 October. Australia and China’s leading neuroscientists shared the latest research on neurodegenerative diseases and mental illness as well as better ways to study the brain.
- 2013: 10th symposium on Astronomy and astrophysics was held in Nanjing, China on 10–12 November 2013.
- 2012: 9th symposium on Healthy ageing: new approaches to genomics, stem cells and smart technologies was held in Canberra, Australia on 22-24 July.
- 2011: 8th symposium on Green materials and recycling economy was held in Shanghai and Suzhou, China on 5–9 November.
- 2010: 7th symposium on Agriculture and food security relating to health was held in the Barossa Valley, Australia on 14–16 November.
- 2009: 6th symposium on sustainable coastal and deltaic systems was held in Guangzhou and Xiamen, China on 12–15 October.
- 2008: 5th symposium on remote sensing technologies and sustainability was held in Canberra, Australia on 24–25 November.
- 2007: 4th symposium on sustaining global ecosystems was held in Beijing, China on 8–10 August.
- 2006: 3rd symposium on energy: transportation fuels, static renewable energy for power generation and traditional energy sources was held in on Sydney, Australia on 5–7 November.
- 2005: 2nd symposium on biotechnology and nanotechnology was held in Beijing, China on 8–12 October.
- 2004: 1st symposium on sustainability was held in Melbourne, Australia on 17–20 November.
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Australia-China Science and Research Fund: Young Scientists Exchange Programme
The Australian and Chinese Governments jointly fund the Young Scientists Exchange Programme (YSEP) for early to mid-career researchers. YSEP provides an opportunity for researchers from Australia and China to undertake a two week exchange.
Successful applicants establish linkages with a range of research organisations and learn about the science and research environments of each country.
Under the ACSRF, there have been 8 rounds of YSEP. The program is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 international travel restrictions.
The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) works with us to administer the YSEP.
Learn more about how we collaborate with China on science and research.
