On 28 August the official launch of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology took place at the Australian Monash University. This ARC Centre of Excellence is a joint initiative of the Universities of Monash, Melbourne, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Over the period of 7 years (2014-2020) the Centre will receive AUD 26 million in funding for bio-nano research and it will represent the main research point of such kind in Australia. It will bring universities, research agencies, institutes and companies together to work towards developing better diagnostic and therapeutic tools through a better understanding of the bio-nano-interface.

ARC Centres of Excellence are collaborative initiatives between universities, research organisations, businesses and other research-oriented partners, which aim at conducting innovative and transformative research, using Australian research capacities and creating a momentum for interdisciplinary research, providing post-graduate and post-doctoral opportunities for young researchers, etc. Last year, the Australian government approved almost AUD 300 million for 12 such centres to be funded over a seven-year period.