Jakarta (ANTARA) - The governments of Indonesia and Australia, on Friday, launched a funding assistance scheme for research on the sustainability of marine biodiversity called Joint Call BRIN-KONEKSI.

Head of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Lakasana Tri Handoko stated during the launch ceremony that his side is open to cooperating with global funding institutions to support research activities.

"This research funding scheme will run over the course of the next five years," he remarked in Jakarta.

Under the scheme, universities, research organizations, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private actors can obtain a maximum funding of Rp1 billion (US$61.1 thousand) for each research project related to health, food, and energy, in addition to marine biodiversity.

"The prioritized research topic under this program (scheme) is marine biodiversity, considering that Indonesia and Australia share maritime borders," he pointed out.

Apart from boosting funding allocation for research and innovation activities, he affirmed that the scheme also aims to intensify collaboration and interaction between Indonesian researchers and international partners.

Handoko underscored that science, research, and innovation constitute universal commodities that require nations to interact with one another in order to bolster their competitiveness at the global level.

The official further noted that the funding scheme also targets stepping up the strategic relations fostered between Indonesia and Australia through partnerships among research institutions of both countries.

Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams remarked that the two countries had been striving to further solidify their people-to-people connections and partnerships among their institutions to actualize inclusive, innovative, and sustainable development.

She also expressed hope for a higher level of relations among researchers and doctoral students from Indonesia and Australia.

Researchers keen to register for the funding scheme may contact cfpjointcallbrin@koneksi-kpp.id or visit https://pendanaan-risnov.brin.go.id/ to get more detailed information on the scheme.

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Translator: Sugiharto P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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