March 31st saw the closure of the fourth and final round of the Australian Space Research Program. The Australian Space Research Program is an Australian government program providing $40 Million over four years to encourage both Space Education development as well as Space Science and Innovation projects.
In what is widely seen as a highly successful program, the Australian Space Research Program will wind up after the fourth round, with no current replacement announced. So far, the project has supported 11 projects - across a wide range of ideas and organisations, and has allowed Australian institutions to form many linkages with international partners. It is also understood that many good proposals have had to be turned down due to the high quality and high demand for the program.
Over the next few months, the Australian government through its Space Policy Unit will be releasing an Australian National Space Policy, which is expected to include some form of replacement for the Australian Space Research Program. I'll be watching the upcoming Federal government budget announcement very closely.
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