The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) will get a total of AUD 2.8 billion ($2.4 billion) over the next four years, according to Australia’s 2007–08 budget, which was released in May. CSIRO’s National Research Flagships program will receive AUD 174 million ($146.7 million) over the next four years. Specific allotments include AUD 60 million ($50.6 million) for the Energy Transformed Flagship, AUD 34.6 million ($29.2 million) for the Minerals Down Under Flagship and AUD 36.2 million ($30.5 million) for the National Research Flagship for Niche Manufacturing. Although the manufacturing program includes nanotechnology development, a National Nanotechnology Strategy, with funding of AUD 21.5 million ($18.1 million) over the next four years, was also introduced. The Cooperative Research Centers program had its budget increased by 12% for 2007–08. AUD 500 million ($421.7 million) will go to Medical Research Institutes this fiscal year for projects that include the development of new drugs, and AUD 12.7 million ($10.7 million) over the next four years is earmarked for Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Source: Australian Parliamentary Library