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French-Australian Science and Technology Program (FAST)
FAST applications are invited once a year and should be lodged online.
Overview
The Australian Government in conjunction with the Government of the Republic of France has established the French-Australian S&T (FAST) Program. FAST is jointly managed by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Department of Innovation) and its French counterparts, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE).
The objective of FAST is to promote and support scientific and technological cooperation between Australian and French researchers in both public and private sectors.
Support Available
FAST will provide financial assistance, on a competitive basis, for collaborative research projects in leading edge areas of research that seek support for eligible activities and which meet the objectives of the ISL program.
The program will support the international travel and living expenses associated with participation in the research project. Funding does not extend to insurances, salaries and equipment expenses, and other activities/costs not eligible for support.
Projects may range from short international visits or activities to more complex projects spanning up to 2 years. Projects cannot extend beyond 24 December 2011.
Australian firms, including small to medium enterprises, are eligible for support under the FAST Program, but not to engage in technology transfer or diffusion activities.
Under the 2009 FAST round (FR10), applications will be considered for research collaboration in the areas of space science and astronomy; materials; and information technology and communications (ICT).
Round Seven (FR10) of FAST is scheduled to open on 18 May 2009 and will close on 26 June 2009 at 17:00 AEST.
Australian applicants: Support to successful Australian applicants will be provided by the Department of Innovation.
All grants for successful Australian applicants will be provided by the Department of Innovation to the coordinating Australian organisation. Applicants must demonstrate that the Australian contribution (cash and/or in-kind) to the project matches or is more than the funding sought from the FAST Program. A suitably audited financial report will be required to acquit the Department of Innovation funding.
French beneficiaries: Support to French beneficiaries is provided by the French Government in France.
How to Apply
This is a joint Australia-France program. Applicants must seek funding for collaboration between Australian and French partners. Each partner must submit an application to their respective Government.
Australian applicants must apply online to Department of Innovation. The online application form is only available while the call for proposals is open.
All applicants should refer to Part 4 of the ISL Guidelines before commencing an application. For the FAST Program, the ISL Guidelines, inter alia, set out:
- eligibility criteria
- activities which are eligible for support
- assessment criteria
- level of support available
- assessment process
Applicants who are unable, or do not wish, to lodge their application online may contact isl@innovation.gov.au to request an offline application form. Applications must be lodged online or posted in hard copy and must be received by the posted closing date. Applications will not be considered in any other format (email and facsimile applications will not be accepted) or accepted at any other time.
French applicants should refer to the
EGIDE website
Information about the FAST Program is also available on the
Embassy of France
website.
Contact for Further Information
If you require more information on the FAST program please direct all Australian specific questions by email to: isl@innovation.gov.au; and French specific questions by email to science@ambafrance-au.org.
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