Time is money: research lobby calls for $400m more

The NHMRC should give existing researchers a six-month extension

The Australian Society for Medical Research wants government to fund a six-month extension of existing research grants. “This will help to retain the current workforce and provide sufficient opportunity for the very best research (as determined previously by peer review) to deliver the intended optimal outcomes for the nation,” the ASMR suggests. It proposes the feds sling the National Health and Medical Research Council $400m for a “one-off crisis intervention.”

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has approved universities extending research scholarships for six months, for PGs whose work is effected by COVID-19, but isn’t funding it (CMM May 11).