Science and technology is contributing to the targets set out in the Queensland Government's Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland strategy that was released in September 2008. In particular, investment in research and development, and its commercialisation, will help to achieve the Government's ambition to create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas.

Since the inception of the Queensland Government's Smart State strategy in 1998, over $3.4 billion has been invested in science, research and innovation. Strategic investments have created 36 new research institutes that form part of a comprehensive and collaborative network of infrastructure and precincts. 

It is not only Queenslanders that will benefit from these investments. Queensland scientists are using their expertise in biotechnology and tropical science to tackle global challenges in areas such as health, environmental management, primary industries and tropical living.

In 2003 the Queensland Government appointed the Queensland Chief Scientist to ensure the State's investment in science delivered positive economic, social and environmental outcomes to the community. To that end, the Queensland Chief Scientist has developed a set of Queensland R&D Priorities and investment criteria to guide research funding.

Find out more:

• Queensland Biotechnology Strategic Plan
• Q-Tropics: Queensland Tropical Expertise Strategy 2008-2012
• Regulation and ethics
• Intellectual property and copyright
• Queensland's smart industries
• Smart Futures Funds
• Migrating to Queensland
• Queensland's Chief Scientist