The University of Newcastle has received a record $10.3 million from the Australian Research Council (ARC) under the highly competitive Discovery Projects Scheme.

Thirty-one projects have received funding, including investigations into transforming greenhouse gases, flotation technology for the minerals industry, cognitive thinking, digital communications, research theses, and carbon storage in plants.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Barney Glover, said the funding was an increase of $2.5 million on last year.

"Our engineering and science researchers feature prominently in the successful Discovery Projects, acknowledging them as among the best in their fields," he said.

"Eighteen of the 31 Discovery Projects are within our Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, confirming our standing as one of the top 100 universities in the field of engineering/technology and computer sciences.*

"Many of the projects fall within the University's Priority Research Centres and align with National Research Priority Areas.

"We are particularly pleased that 20 per cent of the Discovery Projects funded, totalling approximately $1 million, are in the fields of humanities, social sciences and education."

Today's funding announcement brings to approximately $30 million, the amount of Australian Government funding received by the University this week, as follows:

• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC): $14 million
• ARC Discovery Projects: $10.3 million
• ARC Linkage Projects: $2 million
• ARC Linkage, Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF): $750,000

In addition the University will receive approximately $3.5 million from the NHMRC via its researchers who collaborate with other universities.

"This is a fantastic week for the University of Newcastle and recognises our position as a global research-intensive university," Professor Glover said.

*Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking 2006