UQ secures trailblazing commercial research funding

Image: Nourish Ingredients The University of Queensland will lead Australia's effort to supercharge commercialisation in the food and beverage industry, with a share of $362 million in federal government funding. The UQ-led Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) project will receive $50 million Trailblazer funding over four years to boost growth and innovation in the sector, potentially creating thousands of new jobs. The Director of UQ's Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Professor Matthew Morell said the project is backed by industry and innovation partners, along with Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), CSIRO and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. "This is about working together to create new technologies, products and businesses in the food and beverage sector which will ultimately create jobs and boost the Australian economy," Professor Morell said. "By 2030, this project aims to contribute to doubling the value of Australia's food and beverage manufacturing sector through a focus on smart production and new ingredients, creating innovative foods and beverages. "FaBA is expected to help attract $1 billion in investment into food and beverage manufacturing and create 1700 skilled positions, along with a further 15000 jobs across the sector." UQ, industry partners and UQ's university collaborators will also invest a further $110 million funding in the project. "This will be a catalyst for commercialisation and a game-changer for this sector," Professor Morell said.