Two major projects led by Flinders University researchers were awarded a total of $600,477 in Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant funding this week.

Professor Julie Ratcliffe from Flinders Clinical Effectiveness and colleagues received a $354,939 grant to develop a new consumer directed care approach to community aged care service delivery for older people.

The project, to develop a health economic model through the investigation of the preferences, quality of life outcomes and cost effectiveness of aged care service delivery, is being conducted in collaboration with the Aged Care and Housing Group, Catholic Community Services, Hammond Care and helping Hand Aged Care Inc.

Associate Head of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Professor Nico Voelcker and his industry partners were awarded $245,538 to develop advanced analysis technologies for implementing effective roadside and workplace drug testing.

Australian Federal Police, Forensic Science SA, the National Institute of Forensic Science Australia, the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency, NSW Police Force and SAPOL are partners in this project which will increase the safety of Australian drivers and workers.

Six other Flinders University researchers – Associate Professor Luciano Beheregaray, Professor Tracey Wade, Dr Peter Gilchrist, Dr Erick Bestland, Professor Christopher Bull and Professor Andrew Ball – are partners in five projects led by other organisations to have been awarded ARC Linkage funding.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor David Day offered his congratulations to all the research teams and support staff involved in the submissions.

“We look forward to working with all applicants to build on this success,” Professor Day said.