The Western Australian government has awarded $330,000 to 11 PhD fellowship winners working on innovative STEM projects.
The funding for the Science Industry Fellowship program comes out of the state goverment’s $16.7 million New Industries Fund, which aims at supporting new businesses and diversifying the Western Australian economy.
Among the projects that are being funded are the development of new materials to repair tendon damage; the creation of a smart home automation system; and an initiative to protect critical infrastructure from cyber attack.
The program will also include additional training and networking events for PhD candidates, supervisors and industry partners. A second round of the Science Industry PhD Fellowships will be run in the first half of this year.
“It is terrific to see so many inspirational Western Australians working on projects that are going to benefit many people and causes,” said state innovation and ICT minister Dave Kelly.
“The Science Industry PhD Fellowships Program will give PhD students firsthand experience solving industry problems and will expand the science network in Western Australia.
“The program aligns with this government’s commitment to STEM as it opens up pathways for PhD students into industry and continues to support a pipeline to jobs of the future.”