In order to deliver sovereign value for the Australian agricultural, industrial fermentation and biomedical sectors, Bioplatforms Australia is partnering with multiple providers across the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) system for seamless access to synthetic biology capabilities. The National Deuteration Facility is one of the partner providers accessible through the voucher scheme along with Phenomics Australia, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, Microscopy Australia, National Imaging Facility, Australian Plant Phenomics Network and Heavy Ion Accelerators.
Key Points
1.The aim of this Voucher Scheme is to enable projects addressing significant scientific challenges using synthetic biology capabilities at NCRIS SynBio and NCRIS Partner facilities.
2.Applications for a Primary Voucher will include a Lead Provider from one of the NCRIS SynBio facilities and a Partner facility. Primary Vouchers will be awarded to a maximum of $50,000 and will match the contribution of the applicant.
3.Applicants may also apply for a Secondary Voucher to incorporate another Partner facility which will bring an added capability to the proposed project. Secondary Vouchers will be awarded to a maximum of $25,000 and will match the contribution of the applicant.
Applicants should contact NDF (ndf-enquiries@ansto.gov.au) for a feasibility assessment of their request.
Applications to access NDF only (i.e. with no other NCRIS facilities) will not be accepted in this call. These should be made directly through the NDF user program.
The guidelines are available to download below:
Applications are open now and close at 5pm (AEST), 12th September 2025
Background
Through the NCRIS program, the Commonwealth committed $55M to Bioplatforms Australia in 2023 for a four-year program to provide a step change investment that would address critical gaps between Synthetic Biology research and its impact through economic and societal benefit. Approximately $20M of this investment has been invested to establish synthetic biology facilities at Macquarie University (Australian Genome Foundry) and the University of Queensland (IDEA Bio) who are focussed on providing synthetic biology infrastructure and expertise to the industrial fermentation sector of the Australian bioeconomy. A further $20M of this investment has been committed to establish facilities to enable plant synthetic biology and accelerate plant and agricultural R&D and industrial outcomes. Plant SynBio Australia nodes have been established at Adelaide University, Australian National University, La Trobe University and the University of Western Australia. This national network of facilities provides fee-for-service, research incubator and collaborative engagement for research providers, startups and industry users. The facilities will also play a pivotal role in supporting and further developing the Australian synthetic biology community, and training the next-generation of scientists who will go on to grow and staff the sector.
Acknowledgement
The National Deuteration Facility is partly supported by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy – an initiative of the Australian Government.
