On 10 December 2025, Viet Nam’s National Assembly approved three major legal documents in the education sector, marking a significant step toward modernization and global integration. The amendments cover the Education Law, Vocational Education Law, and Higher Education Law, aiming to develop the education system in alignment with the country’s strategic pillars outlined in Resolution… [Read More]
Australia
Government Allocates $280M to Advance Health and Medical Innovation
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is investing nearly $280 million to support 190 innovative projects aimed at addressing specific medical research questions that contribute to improving human health. This funding is provided through the Ideas Grants scheme, which enables researchers at all career stages and across all areas of research to pursue… [Read More]
$102 Million Cut: Labor Reduces Funding for Flagship Startup Initiative
The Albanese government has cut $102 million in uncommitted funding from its flagship Industry Growth Program, two years after the scheme was launched to help startups and SMEs bridge Australia’s commercialisation gap. The reduction, detailed in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), is part of a broader $147.6 million reprioritisation across industry, science, and… [Read More]
East Asia Research Receives $4.4 Million Grant for Scientific Advancement
The Australian Government is investing $4.4 million to enhance research innovation in the East Asia region by supporting Australian participation in leading international collaborative health and medical research. This funding targets transnational projects under the NHMRC e-ASIA 2025 Joint Research Program (JRP), which promotes multilateral research collaboration and encourages interaction among researchers through scientific workshops…. [Read More]
Australia Boosts Healthcare Innovation with $9.6M Investment to Improve Patient Support and System Efficiency
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced a $9.6 million investment into research aimed at improving the patient journey and strengthening the country’s capacity to meet rising healthcare demand. High rates of healthcare service use in Australia are strongly linked to an ageing population, complex medical needs, and challenges in accessing timely,… [Read More]
Domestic Solar Manufacturing Set for Significant Expansion
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced up to $151 million in conditional funding under the Australian Government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot Program to establish a 500 MW per annum solar module manufacturing facility in the Hunter Valley, NSW. The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry, led by Sunman Group founder Dr Zhengrong Shi, will develop… [Read More]
Streaming Services Face New Australian Content Regulations
The Australian Parliament has passed the Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand Services) Bill, introducing new rules for streaming platforms. Streaming services with over one million Australian subscribers are now required to invest at least 10% of their total program expenditure for Australia—or 7.5% of their revenue—into producing new local… [Read More]
Top Takeaways from the 7th Asia-Pacific Fund Finance Symposium
The 7th Annual Asia-Pacific Fund Finance Symposium took place in Hong Kong on 6 November 2025, drawing around 470 participants from the GP, LP, financier, and advisory communities. The event provided a platform for networking and knowledge sharing, highlighting the Asia-Pacific region as a dynamic and evolving hub for fund finance. Participants discussed innovative fund… [Read More]
Funding Announced to Support South Australia’s Community Sport and Recreation Sector
South Australia has launched a $2.9 million grant program to make community sport more accessible and to encourage greater participation across the state. The program, called the Sector Success Program (SSP), is designed to support clubs and sporting organisations in growing their capacity, particularly by attracting and retaining volunteers, and building workforce capability. The SSP… [Read More]
Victoria Makes History: Australia’s First Treaty with Indigenous Peoples Enacted
On October 30, the Australian state of Victoria passed landmark legislation to establish the nation’s first treaty with First Nations people. The Statewide Treaty Bill creates a democratically elected body to represent First Nations communities in Victoria and advise the state government on laws and policies affecting their rights and interests. This treaty marks a… [Read More]
Ireland invests €1.1 million to strengthen global presence of Irish arts and culture
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has announced over €1.1 million in funding through Culture Ireland’s Regular Grants Programme to promote Irish arts and culture internationally. The investment will support 129 creative projects across more than 33 countries, spanning diverse disciplines such as circus, dance, film, literature, music, opera, theatre, and… [Read More]
Over $9 million awarded to strengthen Australia’s health and medical research collaborations
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced a combined investment exceeding $9 million to advance collaborative health and medical research partnerships. Of this, $4 million is provided through NHMRC’s Partnership Project scheme, complemented by $5 million in co-investment from funding partners. Three lead investigators and their research teams will work closely with… [Read More]
Australia invests over $22 million to boost national research partnerships
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has allocated more than $22 million under the 2025 Round 1 ARC Linkage Projects scheme to support over 40 new collaborative research projects. The funding aims to strengthen partnerships among Australia’s researchers, industry, government, and communities, addressing key national priorities and promoting innovative, real-world solutions. ARC Chief Executive Officer Professor… [Read More]
ILO Report: Thailand Risks 250,000 Care Worker Gap by 2037
Thailand is facing a significant challenge in meeting the growing demand for home-based care as its population rapidly ages. A new study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) projects that by 2037, the country will require up to 250,000 additional paid care workers, including around 55,000 migrant workers. The report, Care at Home: Projecting Thailand’s… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Provides $10 Million to Boost Tonga’s Economic Stability and Recovery
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $10 million policy-based grant to strengthen public sector management and improve social and economic resilience in Tonga. The funding supports the Improving Economic Management Program (Subprogram 2), which builds on previous reform initiatives aimed at enhancing fiscal stability and governance in the country. The program focuses on… [Read More]
$388 Million Deal Finalized Between Nauru and Australia to Support Refugee Resettlement
Nauru and Australia have strengthened their long-standing cooperation by signing a $388 million (US$250 million) Memorandum of Understanding to support the third-country resettlement of a “special cohort” through long-term stay visas in Nauru. This agreement establishes the Nauru Trust Fund 2, a dedicated capital investment to sustain the 30-year resettlement arrangement. The fund is separate… [Read More]
Inclusive Digital Economy Gets Boost with Switzerland’s Latest Funding
Switzerland has pledged a contribution of 4 million Swiss francs to support UNCTAD’s E-commerce and Digital Economy Programme for the 2025–2029 period. The funding, provided by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), will enhance the programme’s capacity to deliver innovative research, technical cooperation, and facilitate intergovernmental consensus on digital trade and e-commerce issues. The… [Read More]
Tuvalu Advances Climate Resilience with Coastal Adaptation Project and Land Creation
The people and Government of Tuvalu celebrated a significant milestone with the completion of eight hectares of reclaimed land under Phase 2/TCAP 1A of the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP). Funded with US$17.5 million by Australia, New Zealand, and the United States and implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the project has elevated land… [Read More]
Rising Poverty in Australia: One in Seven Australians Struggling
A new report released at the start of Anti-Poverty Week shows that poverty in Australia has risen sharply, now affecting one in seven people. According to the Poverty in Australia 2025: Overview report by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and the UNSW-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, 14.2% of Australians—or 3.7 million people—lived below… [Read More]
Government Under Threat: Timor-Leste Minister Raises Organised Crime Alarm
Two decades after gaining independence, Timor-Leste remains a nation of contrasts. While it has established a functioning democracy and is set to join the ASEAN regional bloc later this month, deep economic challenges and persistent poverty continue to affect the country. Amid these developments, Agio Pereira, a senior minister overseeing the national intelligence agency, has… [Read More]
Global Fund Hails Switzerland’s Contribution to Strengthen Global Health
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has welcomed Switzerland’s early pledge of CHF 64 million to its Eighth Replenishment, covering the period 2026–2028. This renewed support underscores Switzerland’s commitment to saving lives, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and strengthening health systems in vulnerable countries. The pledge also reflects Switzerland’s continued dedication… [Read More]
Leading Health Funders Pledge to Strengthen Clinical Trials Worldwide
Several of the world’s leading medical research funders have signed a joint statement committing to strengthen clinical trial systems globally, following WHO standards. The agreement aims to integrate clinical trials into sustainable national infrastructures, enhance trial design, ensure diverse and representative participant populations, and embed best practices in transparency, data management, and public engagement. This… [Read More]
Minderoo Donates US$1M to Shield Humanitarian Heroes Amid Rising Global Threats
On the eve of the United Nations General Assembly, the Minderoo Foundation has pledged US$1 million (A$1.52 million) to protect frontline aid workers risking their lives in conflict zones. Dr Andrew Forrest AO signed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, underscoring the urgent need to safeguard those delivering life-saving assistance in the world’s… [Read More]
