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FEDERATION FELLOWSHIPS
25 September 2001

The Australian Academy of Science today welcomed the announcement of the first recipients of the Federal Government's Federation Fellowships.

The Academy's President, Professor Brian Anderson, said he is delighted that eight Academy Fellows have been named among the fifteen recipients.

An initiative of the Federal Government's Backing Australia's Ability innovation action plan, the Federation Fellowships are designed to attract and retain researchers of the highest international standing in key positions in Australia. Funded through the Australian Research Council, each Fellowship recipient will receive a salary of $225,000 each year for five years.

Professor Anderson said: 'The Academy has a proud history of supporting and promoting science in Australia and it is very pleasing that Fellows of the Academy have been honoured in this way.'

Professor Anderson went on to say that the Federation Fellowships recognised the people behind the science. 'Australia needs good people in order to do good science. Increasingly, Government in Australia is acknowledging the importance of science and technology to Australia's future. The Federation Fellowships are part of this ongoing commitment from Government.'

Three of the recipients, Professor Robert Clark from The University of New South Wales, Professor Max Coltheart from Macquarie University and Professor Yiu-Wing Mai from The University of Sydney, were admitted as Fellows to the Academy this year. 'It has certainly been a great year for them and the Academy is delighted that they are receiving the recognition they deserve,' Professor Anderson said.

Other Academy Fellows to receive the Fellowships are:

Professor Michael Dopita, Australian National University
Professor Graham Goodwin, The University of Newcastle
Professor Martin Green, The University of New South Wales
Professor Keith Nugent, The University of Melbourne
Professor Mandyam Srinivasan, Australian National University.