UNSW experts awarded almost $10m for industrial transformation programs
2026-10-21T13:30:00+11:00
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A research hub to support resilience in cities and a training centre to reduce building waste have benefited from the latest round of Australian Research Council funding.
UNSW Sydney has received $5 million to establish the first research hub for AI-powered resilient cities and $4.97 million for a centre to train the next generation of architectural researchers.
The grants are part of $82.5 million in Australian Government funding for 17 new projects through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research program, which supports university researchers to partner with industry in priority areas for Australia.
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research & Enterprise, Professor Bronwyn Fox welcomed the grants and applauded these important projects.
“This funding will help UNSW researchers improve the way we all live and create opportunities for both industry and academics.
“The responsible use of AI to enhance and safeguard our cities and training the next generation of architects to ensure greater sustainability are both significant challenges and opportunities.
“I congratulate Professors Flora Salim and Michael Ostwald and their teams on achieving these important grants.”
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AI research hub to help safeguard cities
The ARC Research Hub for AI-Powered Resilient Cities is the first of its kind and will harness artificial intelligence, simulation and automation to strengthen the ability of industry and government agencies to plan, adapt, and thrive in the face of uncertainty.
In a statement, ARC said the hub would deliver significant economic, environmental and societal benefits, safeguarding cities, communities, and critical systems against future disruptions.
Hub Director, and deputy director of the UNSW AI Institute, Professor Flora Salim, said while other hubs focused on specific industry priorities, the UNSW Sydney hub would be shaped by industry transformation goals across transportation, energy and urban systems.
“This hub will build upon our existing research developing robust foundational models and agentic AI for urban systems, but taking it a step further by working directly with industry problem owners and stakeholders,” Prof. Salim said.
“We will be using AI to support infrastructure design, efficient operations and strategic policy decision-making support, enabling more streamlined decision‑making for governments and industry. It will strengthen sovereign capability in AI‑enabled planning and infrastructure and enhance the resilience of transport, energy and urban systems.”
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs fund research projects focused on issues facing industry while Industrial Transformation Training Centres support higher degree by research (HDR) students and postdoctoral researchers to gain practical skills and experience through placements with industry.
Training centre to equip future architecture researchers
The ARC Training Centre for Digital Architectural Translation: Accelerating Circularity Adoption (DATA-CA) will enable the architectural sector to be more sustainable over the long term.
DATA -CA aims to transform how Australia designs, constructs and adapts buildings to reduce waste, conserve resources and support a more sustainable future.
Working closely with industry partners, the centre will also train the next generation of architectural researchers and professionals through industry-based PhDs, international placements, specialist training programs and applied research projects.
DATA-CA Director, Professor Michael Ostwald, said the centre was designed to position Australia's architectural sector at the forefront of the transition to a circular economy.
“By creating a highly skilled workforce, reducing construction waste and environmental impacts, the centre will help the nation achieve its long-term sustainability and resource recovery goals,” Professor Ostwald said.
