University of Wollongong’s ANFF Materials Unit Secures Major Funding Grant

The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) Materials Node, housed at the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Innovation Campus, has been awarded $800K as part of the NSW Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Support Program (2024/25).

This co-funding underpins an existing $1.094m p.a. in National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) funding provided to the UOW’s Materials Node over five years from 2024-2028.

The Materials Node, which includes UOW and the University of Newcastle, applied as a part of a NSW Consortium of ANFF Nodes, which includes ANFF-NSW (University of Sydney, University of New South Wales and University of Technology Sydney), ANFF OptoFab (UMQ) Nodes, to share in the multi-million-dollar funding targeted at open access New South Wales strategic research infrastructure.

A total of $15.2 million over two years from the NSW Government’s NCRIS Support Program has been invested in research and development facilities, including the $3.2 million to ANFF’s facility Nodes in NSW.

“Once again, the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) has recognised the incredible return on investment that state-of-the-art infrastructure can bring. This latest round of funding will see a continuation of the amazing services on offer at the six ANFF locations across New South Wales,” said ANFFCEO Jane Fitzpatrick.

“The continued support of the NSW Government, via the OCSE, is pivotal as it underpins the Materials Nodes staffing,” said ANFF Materials Node Director Peter Innis.

“This funding also ensures that the Materials Nodes infrastructure continues to support UOW’s research efforts through its role within UOW’s research platforms. This investment underpins research efforts in materials and biomaterials development as well as ensuring the Node’s capabilities in advanced polymer, metal, ceramic and bio additive fabrication and 3D printing remains at the state-of-the-art and openly accessible to all users.”

Since establishing the NCRIS Program in 2006-07, the NSW Government has provided financial funding of more than $65 million to NCRIS facilities, supported by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer.

“We recognise the vital role NCRIS facilities play in supporting the state’s research and development sector,” said NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Hugh Durrant-Whyte.

“These facilities enable the most advanced research and commercialisation opportunities to happen right here in NSW. These activities are a critical driver for innovation in the state’s economy.”