Australian Research Council ‘must drop commercial focus’

Tinkering has ruined “primary vehicle for investment in basic research”, Australian Academy of Science says

Australia’s government-backed research funding is no longer fit for purpose and needs to be rethought as “patient capital”, the Australian Academy of Science has said.

In its submission to the Australian Research Council’s review of its funding policies, the academy puts basic research front and centre. It attacks the influence of commercial considerations on the ARC’s distribution of around A$895 million a year through the National Competitive Grants Program.