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"For researchers, as for industry, the future is global."
(Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, 2009)
Australia's economic, social and environmental well-being depends on having a world-class science and research sector that is globally engaged: sharing international knowledge and expertise, having access to world-class infrastructure and leading efforts to address global challenges such as climate change.
On this page:
What we do
- Manage government to government science and research relationships.
- Develop and manage bilateral S&T agreements.
- Manage involvement by the Australian Government within international Science and Technology steering committees, working groups, forums and multilateral science bodies, including the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Commission and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
- Provide information and advice to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on a wide range of scientific and technological issues.
- Support Ministerial and other high level delegations to and from a wide range of countries.
- Build and maintain effective , nationally and international relationships with stakeholders in the science, research, industry and general community sectors.
- Collect a wide range of information and data on global science and research.
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International programs, grants and funds
Through a suite of initiatives and funding programs, we support Australian researchers to participate in leading-edge science with international partners (click on the names of the prorgrams to link to more information):
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Collaboration with the Americas
The Americas are very important research partners for Australia. The Australian Government values its Government, researcher and institutional links with the science, technology and innovation systems in North and Latin America.
Many countries in the Americas share common research interests with Australia, as well as complementary science and technology policy goals. Australia engages in mutually beneficial research in key areas of interest with a broad range of North and South American countries including the United States, Chile, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.
Further information on Australia's collaboration with Brazil, Canada, Chile and the United States is available on this website.
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Collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Region
Cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region is vitally important for Australia, and the Department actively supports collaboration with the Asia-Pacific region through a range of initiatives and funding programs. We have shared interests in a range of scientific and technological areas, including agriculture, biotechnology, marine science, renewable energy, climate change research and information and communications technology.
Collaborating on cutting-edge science and technology research will also help us to discover solutions to global problems, such as those associated with climate change.
Further information on Australia's collaboration with China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan is available on this website.
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Collaboration with Europe
Australia has strong scientific and technological relationships with a number of countries in Europe through a range of programs and funds. We have shared interests in a range of scientific and technological areas, including space sciences and astronomy, agriculture, materials science, biotechnology, renewable energy, climate change research and information and communications technology. In terms of science and research, Germany is Australia's fourth largest collaborator on joint papers, and France is Australia's sixth largest.
Collaborating on cutting-edge science and technology research will also help us to discover solutions to global problems, such as those associated with climate change.
Further information on Australia's collaboration with Germany, France and the United Kingdom is available on this website.
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Collaboration with South Africa
Australian and South African scientists have a history of cooperation in a range of scientific fields including biotechnology, health sciences, space sciences, earth observations, energy research, nanoscience, photonics, water management, mining technology and agricultural research.
A formal bilateral Program of Cooperation with South Africa was initiated in early 2009 and aims to strengthen the existing level of bilateral collaboration through targeted scientific workshops and improved access to major research facilities.
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Collaboration with multilateral and regional organisations
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The 21 APEC member economies are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, The Republic of the Philippines, The Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States and Viet Nam.
Further information is available from the Collaboration with Multilateral and Regional Associations page.
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European Union (EU)
The 27 members of the European Union (EU) and Australia have a long tradition of collaboration in the areas of science, research, technology and innovation.
In 1994, Australia became the first non-EU member country to sign a Science and Technology Agreement with the EU. Since then, cooperation has been active and steadily increasing in a diverse range of research areas.
Australian researchers are able to join their European counterparts as full participants in research programs which are managed by the European Commission under the EU's Framework Program.
Further information is available from the Collaboration with Multilateral and Regional Associations page.
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is actively involved in several areas of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a unique forum where the governments of 30 market democracies work together to address the economic, social and governance challenges of globalisation as well as to exploit its opportunities.
The Organisation provides a setting where governments can compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and co-ordinate domestic and international policies.
To assist governments in making sound policy decisions, the OECD collects data, monitors trends, analyses and forecasts developments in science and innovation, trade, environment, agriculture, taxation and more.
Further information is available from the Collaboration with Multilateral and Regional Associations page.
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been operating as a specialised agency of the United Nations for the last sixty-three years.
The organisation aims to contribute to global peace and security by promoting international collaboration in education, science, culture and communications. The organisation sponsors and supports conferences and workshops, study tours, staff exchanges and awards. UNESCO also provides a vehicle for negotiating international legal instruments in related fields of competence.
Australia was one of the founding members of UNESCO, which now has over 190 Member States. Every two years, UNESCO delivers the UNESCO General Conference to discuss, negotiate and decide the policy, program and budget for the organisation.
Further information is available from the Collaboration with Multilateral and Regional Associations page.
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Contact Us
For further information, please contact us.
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