In an effort to upskill Australia’s digital workforce in an ever-evolving age of technology, the CSIRO has launched the Next Generation Graduates Program (NGGP), a $15.5 million grant designed to address the tech skills shortage in Australia.
Funded by the Australian Federal Government and offered to domestic students, the program is designed to attract candidates from diverse academic backgrounds, including social sciences, professional fields, mathematical disciplines and computational sciences, among others.
Round 2023-24 will provide up to a total of $15.5 million in student stipends and allowances from 2024-2029 with up to a further $5.5 million expected to be committed by industry partners.
Unlocking the potential of AI and emerging technologies
While round 2023-24 applications remain open until October 25, 2023, some 25 programs have already been awarded grant funding under the NGGP.
The include initiatives in artificial intelligence, data and industrial technology.
Awarded programs run the gamut of AI and data-related ideas, exploring data-efficient machine learning models, industrial Internet of Things automation, Human-AI interaction in the metaverse, AI in sports science, mental health care, aged care, and food and waste systems.
It doesn’t end there – the program is ambitious, offering pathways into every kind of AI application from defence and aerospace to clean energy and medical diagnostics.
All-in-all, the program is designed to fund up to 500 nationally competitive scholarships to “attract and train the next generation of AI and emerging technologies specialists and build technology capability and skills across a range of fields.”
Bringing regional education into focus
The NGGP has already completed two funding rounds and initiated support for 25 individual consortia programs, but the government and CSIRO were dissatisfied with low regional participation.
“The NGGP aims to help students unlock their full potential and shape the future of AI and emerging technologies, with the understanding that diversity in thought and backgrounds is crucial for innovation,” the grant guidelines read.
To that end, the NGGP has opened a regional stream for the program, which seeks to support participation of regional universities and students, encourage collaboration between industry, partner organisations and universities, and emphasise regional priorities.
The current grant round is structured in two streams:
- General Stream - is set to allocate $7.5 million
- Regional Stream - is set to allocate up to $8 million
“As part of our commitment to a regional focus, priority will be given to Regional Stream applications that successfully meet the criteria,” the guidelines read, “If funds are not fully allocated, leftover funds may be redistributed to the General Stream.”
Overall, the program aims to arm Australian students and universities with the funding to pursue vital new technological applications, emphasising closing the huge gap in accessibility between regional and urban access and building the AI and technology skillsets of tomorrow.