Projects announced to date that have received funding from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund are listed below, alongside the amount of funding received. Please note that projects are announced and added to this list on a rolling basis.
Medical Equipment for Research Collaboration with St Vincent's – $2 million
Equipment purchases in collaboration with St Vincent's Institute for Medical Research to undertake metabolic and health research, specifically supporting future treatment for individuals with obesity and diabetes.
Announced: 30 June 2021
Press release: Boosting learning and research at ACUBallarat Nursing Simulation Ward Refurbishment – $1.9 million
Refurbishment to create a new eight-bed simulation ward (doubling existing capacity) and refurbish the existing Pan Room and Drug Room for clinical nurse training.
Announced: 30 June 2021
Press release: Boosting learning and research at ACUNext-Generation Secure IT Network – $1.8 million
Implementation of a scalable, resilient and secure IT network at Melbourne and Ballarat campuses to support teaching and research, particularly remotely.
Announced: 30 June 2021
Press release: Boosting learning and research at ACUPost-COVID Learning, Teaching and Student Support infrastructure (element 1) – $1.6 million
Upgrading 4 existing learning spaces across the Melbourne and Ballarat campuses to education hubs, transforming education spaces to be more digitally enabled and facilitating mixed-mode and active learning for ACU’s staff and students. This will also support flexible education for students to access courses across ACU campuses and from remote locations.
Announced: 30 June 2021
Press release: Boosting learning and research at ACUPost-COVID Learning, Teaching and Student Support infrastructure (element 2) – $1.4 million
Converting former residential buildings to suit the delivery of academic support services, including upgrading consulting and office spaces, providing culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse students, and supporting students with special needs by essential work to building fabric and modifications to ensure equitable access.
Announced: 30 June 2021
Press release: Boosting learning and research at ACUCircular Economy Accelerator-Organics (CEAO) project – $10 million
Establishing a BioFactory at Waurn Ponds to pilot and test new processes to use marine by-products, food and agricultural waste. The Deakin BioFactory will develop new products such as protein-rich feed, nutritional ingredients, fertiliser, cosmetic ingredients and biomaterials for medical and textile applications.
This project is implemented in collaboration with RMIT and Monash University.
Announced: 18 March 2022
Press release: Deakin launches new BioFactory as part of Circular Economy Accelerator-Organics project
More information: The Deakin BioFactory, Deakin
ManuFutures 2: Geelong Engineering and Innovation Centre – $10 million
Advanced manufacturing hub located in Geelong, supporting regional businesses to improve competitiveness and create new market opportunities. Accessing Deakin capabilities across all aspects of business from strategy and research to deploying advanced manufacturing technologies.
Announced: 11 March 2021
Press release: Putting Geelong at the heart of advanced manufacturing
More information: ManuFutures, DeakinHycel Tech Hub – $9 million
Construction of a research facility in Warrnambool and funded applied research for the development, testing, demonstration and manufacture of hydrogen fuel technology.
Announced: 29 June 2021
Press release: Deakin Uni to create world-leading clean energy products
More information: Hycel, Deakin
BatTRI-HUB 2.0: Building Victoria’s role in global supply chains for advanced batteries – $5.2 million
New Battery Research and Innovation Hub to further advance battery design, fabrication and testing, and to pilot production of next generation batteries and energy storage.
Announced: 29 June 2021
Press release: Deakin Uni to create world-leading clean energy products
More information: Battery Research and Innovation Hub, Deakin
Next-Gen Simulator (motion simulator platform) – $5 million
Simulation platform to support advanced research into automotive design, transport prototyping and driver safety, including autonomous mobility technologies, in partnership with Ford.
Announced: 6 October 2021
Press release: Driving the future of car manufacturing in Geelong
Website: Next Generation Motion Simulator, Deakin
Innovation in Technology, Health and Science – $2 million
Development of an innovation precinct of teaching, learning and research spaces which includes a Nursing and Midwifery Simulation Centre, a Health E‐technologies Assessment (HEAL) research centre and an upgrade of laboratories in Technology and Science disciplines.
Announced: 15 July 2021
Press release: Putting Victoria at the forefront of STEM innovation
More information: ITSH, DeakinThe DISH: Deakin Innovation for SMEs Hub (renamed Deakin Digital Futures Hub) – $2 million
Development of a collaboration and innovation space with a focus on innovation, adaptation and digital transformation for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Victoria.
Announced: 11 August 2021
More information: The Digital Futures Hub, DeakinAquaFI Hub: Aquaculture and Advanced Feeds Innovation Hub – $2 million
Fit-out of the Feed Innovation Laboratory, an aquaculture research and innovation centre in Geelong, with specialist extrusion equipment. This project will support the rapid industry development of aquaculture, which includes advancing fish feed manufacture and innovation.
Announced: 23 April 2021
Press release: Putting Deakin at the forefront of water science research
More information: The AquaFI Hub, Deakin
Queenscliff Marine Science Centre – $1 million
Upgrade to the teaching and research facilities at Queenscliff Marine Science Centre to establish a centre of excellence for temperate water marine research in Victoria.
Announced: 23 April 2021
Press release: Putting Deakin at the forefront of water science research
More information: Deakin Queenscliff Marine Science Centre, Deakin
Integrated Water Management – $1 million
Investment in improved water sustainability at the Waurn Ponds campus to respond to significant water-related challenges and demonstrate sustainable practices.
Announced: 23 April 2021
Press release: Putting Deakin at the forefront of water science research
More information: IWM, Deakin
Ballarat Clinical School (Ballarat Base Hospital) – $1 million
Construction and fit-out of the Ballarat Clinical School as part of the redevelopment of the Ballarat Base Hospital, led by the Victorian Health Building Authority. It will accommodate clinical teaching facilities including a mock ward, skills laboratory, simulation wardroom, tutorial spaces, student common room and office accommodation, and will be fully equipped with audiovisual technology including the ability to record and stream sessions.
St Paschal’s Campus Development – $500,000
Small scale capital works to establish a long-term home for the University of Divinity at St Paschal's Precinct, 90 Albion Road, Box Hill. The property renovations include classrooms, office space, seminar and conference facilities and a new School of Indigenous Studies.
Announced: 11 May 2021
Press release: National-first Indigenous theology course at new centreBusiness Centre of Excellence, including IBM Watson IoT Facility – $9.5 million
Development of an enhanced Business Centre of Excellence, located in a renovated heritage building in Ballarat CBD with dedicated facilities and applied research, particularly focusing on Internet of Things (IoT).
Announced: 29 January 2021
Press release: New Federation Business Centre of Excellence in Ballarat
Ballarat University Town – $2.25 million
Funding to support community engagement and business case development of a Master Plan, activating the town centre, improving the student experience and enabling better business engagement. Funding includes works at Federation University’s Jobs and Technology Precinct in Ararat which will connect the precinct to Federation’s Business Centre of Excellence in Ballarat.
Announced: 17 September 2021
Press release: An education transformation for central Ballarat
Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre – Wellness Centre – $1.1 million
A student-led clinic will deliver wellness services (including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy and speech pathology) to the community, in partnership with Latrobe City Council.
Announced: 15 October 2021
Press release: New wellness centre to train Gippsland health experts
Digital Innovation Hub – $9 million
Integrated industry, research and teaching hub to support businesses to grow and transform through digital technology.
Announced: 15 March 2021
Press release: New science hubs to support bio and tech innovation
Bio-Innovation Hub – $8 million
Research equipment, labs and offices to support startups and SMEs conducting early-stage lab-based research and support commercialisation of research.
Announced: 15 March 2021
Press release: New science hubs to support bio and tech innovation
Applied Industry Agri Platforms – $6.5 million
Development of lab facilities and infrastructure to support Victoria's agriculture businesses in discovering and subsequent commercialisation of products in horticulture, medicinal agriculture and protected crops.
Announced: 28 June 2021
Press release: Investing in research to grow our agriculture sector
Agriculture Production Platform – $3.5 million
Enhancements to existing infrastructure to support the industry in transforming seed, crop and medicinal agriculture innovations from early-stage development to full-scale pilot production.
Announced: 28 June 2021
Press release: Investing in research to grow our agriculture sector
Bendigo Teaching and Research Labs – $2.5 million
Expansion of laboratories at Bendigo campus to support course delivery, research and local industry involvement.
Announced: 25 June 2021
Virtual Care/Telehealth – $1.6 million
Refurbish existing teaching and internal-clinic spaces to deliver telehealth training and clinical facilities in Bundoora and Bendigo.
Announced: 5 August 2021
The Advanced Genomics Collaboration (previously lllumina-UoM Genomics Hub) – $20 million
The Hub is set to elevate local genomics research and clinical trials to a global scale by establishing 3 core platforms in clinical genomics, bioinformatics and health economics.
Announced: 4 December 2020
Press release: Illuminating investment in medical research and jobs
More information: The Advanced Genomic Collaboration
Melbourne Connect – Innovation and Incubation – $6 million
Funding for university-industry engagement, research and commercialisation activity in digital sectors at Melbourne Connect.
Announced: 2 August 2021
Press release: New CBD precinct spearheads social and digital innovation
More information: Melbconnect
Zero Emissions Energy Lab – $4.7 million
Platform to develop and commercialise clean energy technologies with industry partners, including support for startups.
Announced: 2 August 2021
Press release: New CBD precinct spearheads social and digital innovation
Neo-Bionica (Bionic Devices Development Facility) – $4 million
Facilities to conduct research into human-grade medical implants and manufacture devices at a sufficient scale to enable clinical translation and commercialisation.
Announced: 29 September 2021
Press release: New laboratory to support local medical innovations
More information: neo-bionica
National Imaging Facility – New frontiers in plant, molecular and MRI-HIFU imaging – $3.1 million
Delivering 3 new critical imaging capabilities for Victoria, this project will provide access to specialised imaging and radioisotopes for plant imaging, molecular imaging and the first national research capability for ultrasonographic brain lesioning, providing image-guided, minimally invasive, personalised neurosurgery. These cutting-edge imaging capabilities have many applications from investigating soil and roots systems of key crops and land regeneration species to research concerning cancer, neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease and infection/inflammatory diseases.
Announced: 6 July 2023
Press release: Putting Victoria at the forefront of medical research
NorVicFoods: Agri-food Innovation Cluster – $2.7 million
A new venture to transform and grow the agri-food sector in the Hume region through working with agri-food businesses to deliver specific research aimed at solving operational challenges.
Announced: 8 September 2021
Press release: Driving innovation in the Goulburn Valley fruit bowl
More information: NorVicFoods, University of Melbourne
Faster, Smarter Pharma and Food Manufacturing – $1.8 million
Working with industry, create a new research centre to improve and optimise pharma and food advanced manufacturing
Announced: 28 September 2021
Press release: Boosting medicine and food manufacturing in Victoria
Health Innovation Centre – $17.5 million
Create a new collaborative research facility to enhance the development of innovative ideas and enable a ‘virtual front-door' for clinical research trials, specifically focused on cardiovascular disease and investment attraction. It will also act as an industry collaboration and commercialisation accelerator and business incubator by engaging sponsors, investors and partners with access to public and private health providers.
Announced: 22 September 2021
Press release: National First centre to drive heart health research
Smart Manufacturing and Commercialisation Hub – $16.1 million
Capital works and research infrastructure to extend the current advanced manufacturing in biomedical innovation and pharmaceutical sciences at the Monash Parkville campus through to the Monash Clayton campus. Creating smart manufacturing, a startup incubator and collaboration space that will provide the industry with early access to Monash’s research and student talent pipeline.
Announced: 1 September 2021
Press release: New Monash hubs to boost COVID vaccine manufacturing
National Imaging Facility – Victorian Biomedical Imaging Capability – $11.7 million
Construction of capital and research infrastructure to produce diagnostic and therapeutic radioisotopes for research application and commercial use. This includes upgrades of several facilities of the members of the Victorian Biomedical Imaging Capability consortium with this research infrastructure so they can utilise the technology, including Melbourne Brain Centre, Austin Health, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and the Florey Institute. These upgrades will greatly enhance preclinical studies and neurodegenerative disease studies such as dementia and epilepsy.
Announced: 6 July 2023
Press release: Putting Victoria at the forefront of medical research
Net Zero Initiative – $11 million
Upgrading several Monash campus buildings to reduce their emissions by optimising their energy usage. For example, by using a distributed energy generation and storage at an on-site microgrid. This project is supporting Monash to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and will be a leading demonstration and training site for low emissions technologies.
Announced: 20 October 2021
Press release: Helping Monash University slash emissions to net zero
Victorian node Platforms of Bioplatforms Australia (Victorian node) – $9,775,000
Build new research infrastructure for the development of metabolomics and proteomics to revolutionise how antibody and small molecule drugs bind to targets, particularly in the context of cancer and infectious diseases. The research will also provide critical quality control outcomes in the context of drugs that contain lipid nanoparticles.
Announced: 6 April 2022
Press release: Monash-led projects awarded $17 million in VHESIF funding
Family Violence Workforce Pathways and Access to Justice – $8.67 million
Refurbishing part of the Menzies Building, Clayton campus to provide dedicated research facilities and office space and funding 24 scholarships for family violence victim-survivors to undertake a Graduate Certificate of Family Violence Prevention.
- to generate the evidence-based needed and the practice tools required to ensure that women who have experienced family violence can successfully re-engage with paid work and where desired contribute to family violence advocacy, policy and practice reform.
- to develop a suite of analysis reports for government and the family violence sector
- to build an evidence base on how public sector workplaces can enhance gender equality within the workplace.
Announced: 24 May 2021
Press release: Providing better pathways for family violence survivors
Capital Upgrade of the ANFF (Victorian Node) – $3,476,550
Upgrade capacity and equipment at the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) Victoria Node. Supporting small-scale manufacturing and prototyping from early development through to direct translation and commercialisation of technologies in medical research, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.
Announced: 6 April 2022
Press release: New microscope revolutionises critical medical research
Victorian Node of Microscopy Australia – $2.8 million
Deliver next-generation research infrastructure capabilities by way of a 300keV dedicated cryo-TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) for structural and cellular biomedical advances. Enabling major drug discovery programs and breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing, new materials, energy storage and new electronic devices.
Announced: 6 April 2022
Press release: New microscope revolutionises critical medical research
Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation – $1,005,100
Develop research infrastructure to advance expertise in medicinal chemistry and compound optimisation to meet the demands of national drug discovery programs.
Announced: 6 April 2022
Press release: New microscope revolutionises critical medical research
CBD North – Precinct Activation and Innovation Spine – $14.36 million
Master planning and development within RMIT's CBD North Precinct, including the establishment of the Multifaith and Wellbeing Centre and the Asia Trade and Innovation Hub.
Announced: 22 June 2021
Press release: RMIT projects to spark new life in city north precinct
Social Innovation – $13.87 million
Research into social-based innovation including digital health/medical systems, the justice system, social services and enterprises and developing digital biosciences facilities.
Announced: 22 June 2021
Press release: RMIT projects to spark new life in city north precinct
Victorian Medical Device Prototyping and Scale-Up Facility – $12.7 million
Design and construction of a medical device prototyping facility that will allow entrepreneurs, researchers and industry to prototype and manufacture wearables, nearables and flexibles for personalised and preventative healthcare and diagnostics.
Announced: 15 August 2022
Press release: Swabs away – wearable tech gives instant COVID check | Premier of Victoria
Future Industry Transformation – $9.69 million
Establish applied research hubs focused on the circular economy, digital industry, advanced manufacturing and the space industry.
Announced: 22 June 2021
Press release: RMIT projects to spark new life in city north precinct
Digital and Business Transformation – $6.68 million
Includes a range of digital-based initiatives and infrastructure including high-performance supercomputing infrastructure and digital support for industry, including improving safety in workplaces through digitisation and enhancing data analytics capability.
Announced: 22 June 2021
Press release: RMIT projects to spark new life in city north precinct
Supporting the Electrification of Victoria’s Future Fleet – $5.2 million
Infrastructure for an electric vehicle living lab and the initiation of 4 applied research streams to study the technical and legal aspects of public and private fleet electrification.
Announced: 15 February 2022
Press release: Developing clean, green transport options for Victoria
Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub – $12 million
Victoria will be the home of an Australian-first advanced manufacturing research hub for aircraft parts and vertical lift aerostructures. Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub will research and develop next-generation aircraft components, enhance aircraft wings, develop technologies for driverless passenger, cargo and medical vehicles as well as explore clean, green air travel.
The project will also work to upskill the tech workforce by bringing together multi partner collaborative development projects for Victoria’s aerospace future
Announced: 6 November 2021
More information: The only way is up for aerospace innovation in Victoria
Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) – $10 million
Construction and commissioning of a hydrogen refuelling station in partnership with CSIRO. Impact PhD and Masters projects to help decarbonise industries such as ports, steel, aviation, as well as cutting-edge research on hydrogen tanks and storage. Implementation of an Industry Readiness Program, incorporating a major study into the skills and training required for a future hydrogen economy and community engagement programs to boost public awareness and education. Also establishing hydrogen partnerships in international jurisdictions such as Germany, Korea, Malaysia and the USA.
Announced: 7 February 2021
Press release: Hydrogen Hub Cements Victoria As Clean Energy Leader
MedTechVic – $6.7 million
Develop a Framework that supports the supply chain for assistive technologies (that support people to participate in work, education and social activities), from the ideation and identification of new product opportunities through to clinical validation and end-user testing, feedback and potential for local manufacturing.
Announced: 10 September 2021
Press release: Australian-first MedTech project improves Victorian lives
Woiwurrung named Supercomputing Facility (OzSTAR Upgrade) – $5.2 million
Supercomputing facility that will continue to operate as an NCRIS-funded national facility for astronomy.
Announced: 1 February 2022
Press release: New supercomputer to herald next generation of discoveries
Education Innovation Hub – $8.8 million
A group of multiple applied research projects that will deliver action research solutions to reduce transition barriers and increase student success across educational offerings in higher education and vocational education and training.
By co-designing research-based solutions, including innovations for micro-credentials, ‘stackable blocking’ across higher education and VET/TAFE, and workplace-integrated learning, the Education Innovation Hub is increasing understanding of, and solutions for, the transition barriers that prevent students from reaching their potential and thereby reducing the availability of trained workers.
Announced: 24 August 2021
Press release: Community research hubs to bolster Melbourne’s west
Stronger Communities Innovation Hub – $5.8 million
A group of 4 applied research projects focused on improving the health, wellbeing and resilience of socially disadvantaged communities in Melbourne’s West.
Announced: 24 August 2021
Press release: Community research hubs to bolster Melbourne’s west
Sustainable Futures Innovation Hub – $4.9 million
A group of 4 applied research projects focused on responsible consumption and production practices in the water, construction and packaging industries to support the advancement of the circular economy and waste reduction.
Announced: 15 April 2021
Press release: New innovation hub to create sustainable future today
Jobs and Skills Innovation Hub – $2.6 million
A group of 4 applied research projects that will facilitate the development and implementation of solutions to support skills and job growth, as well as safe and inclusive work environments in Melbourne’s West.
Announced: 24 August 2021
Press release: Community research hubs to bolster Melbourne’s west
Updated