Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, announced that 71 research projects will share more than $30 million in funding under the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme.

The LIEF scheme provides funding for large-scale cooperative initiatives so that expensive infrastructure, equipment and facilities can be shared by researchers in partnered organisations.

“The Australian Government is supporting collaborative research arrangements to ensure that researchers in fields of recognised research potential have access to the infrastructure, equipment and facilities to carry out high-quality research," Senator Carr said in a statement.

“The LIEF research projects will see Australian institutions collaborate with national and international higher education, industry and government organisations."

Among the projects include the development of a facility for mid-infrared photonic materials, which is designed to lead to the development of new optical fibre-based laser sources for defence and surgery, and new technologies for detecting and treating cancer.

High-performance analytical tools to strengthen clean energy research, intended to lead to advances in fundamental and applied research aimed at carbon abatement and clean energy technologies, are also a part of the scheme.

Funding for the successful LIEF projects will commence in January 2010. The LIEF scheme is part of the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP).