Cooperative Research Centres

Round 15 will focus on social innovation, sustainable regional communities and clean manufacturing

Introduction

The CRC Program commenced in 1991. The objective of the Program is:

“To deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits to Australia by supporting end-user driven research partnerships between publicly funded researchers and end-users to address clearly articulated, major challenges that require medium to long term collaborative efforts.”

The CRC Program links researchers with industry to focus R&D efforts on progress towards utilisation and commercialisation. The close interaction between researchers and the users of research is a key feature of the Program. Another feature is industry contribution to CRC education programs to produce industry-ready graduates. To date there have been a total of 190 CRCs that have been funded by the Australian Government.

There are currently 44 CRCs operating in 4 ANZSIC sectors: agriculture, forestry and fishing (11); mining (4); manufacturing (5); and services (24).

Available Support

The Victorian CRC Bid Support Program (VCBSP) is a Victorian Government initiative to assist the development of Cooperative Reasearch Centre (CRC) proposals to gain funds from the Commonwealth Government CRC Program. Assistance includes information, facilitation support and application development grants, interview assistance grants as well as an application review service.

CRC Program applications can take up to two years to develop and can be costly to prepare. Application Development Grants are available to partially offset any third party costs associated with preparing a CRC Program application to the 15th Selection Round of the Commonwealth Government CRC Program.

Grant funds are to be applied to third party services such as consultants and are not to be used to fund activities internally undertaken by the grantee (lead) organisation and other potential participant organisations in the proposed CRC. The grant can be used for hiring of contractors and consultants such as bid management, legal advice and economic analysis. Some travel expenses may also be claimed to a maximum of 25 per cent of the grant awarded.

Grants up to $30,000 are available to those applying in the 15th Selection Round of the Commonwealth Government CRC Program.

Expert Assistance

There were 26 applications for round 14, with six funded thus the chance of success was 23%. Although the same cannot be said for getting a new CRC up, which only have a 10% chance of being funded. Typically most of the CRCs funded are existing CRCs or are submitting for a second time.

CRCs are probably the most complex grant to put together. They take over a year of planning & development to put together and require a number of different skills sets

We can assist with your CRC application including:

Bid Management
Opportunity/Problem identification
Quantification of economic impact (Ideally $500 M)
Governance arrangements
Financial modelling (inputs and outputs)
Impact modelling
Education and training program
Research programs
Application Drafting

Previous Recipients

Round 14

Automotive Australia 2020 CRC ($26 million) - This CRC will undertake research programs and build human capital in areas of vehicle electrification, gaseous fuels and production of greener vehicles and components. Read more
CRC for Low Carbon Living ($28 million) -This CRC will bring together leading researchers and key end-users to develop new tools to reduce carbon emissions and transform the built environment to a low carbon future.
CRC for Polymers ($14.5 million) - This CRC will contribute to establishing Australia as a leading provider and exporter of products that meet emerging global needs in the areas of health therapies, water and food security and low-cost solar energy. Read more
CRC for Water Sensitive Cities ($30 million) - This CRC will deliver the planning, technology and decision support tools required to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban water systems. Read more
Invasive Animals CRC ($19.7 million) - This CRC will deliver key technologies to reduce the impacts of new and existing pest animals on Australia’s agricultural competitiveness and biodiversity assets. Read more
Plant Biosecurity CRC ($29.7 million) - This CRC will develop and deploy the knowledge and tools to safeguard Australia from damaging plant pest incursions. Read more

Round 13

CRC for Young People, Technology and Wellbeing ($27 million) will help put a stop to this by studying how technology can help prevent and treat mental illness in our youth.
CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork ($20 million) will support our pork producers and regional Australia to maintain local production of high quality food at affordable prices, while improving pig welfare.
CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment ($29 million) will develop solutions to overcome and prevent contamination of soil, water and air to improve our environment.
CRC for Mental Health ($23 million) will develop better diagnostic tools for these disorders and contribute to better

Round 12

CRC for Advanced Composite Structures ($14 million): will connect Australian small and medium enterprises in manufacturing, materials supply and engineering to international value chains.
CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset Management ($12 million): to increase the availability, productivity and useful life of defence assets (including combat aircraft and ships), and of railways and power and water utilities.
CRC for Environmental Biotechnology ($4 million): to commercialise biotechnologies that use natural biological systems to transform waste into useful products and green energy, and rapid microbial monitoring platforms.
CRC for Optimising Resource Extraction ($17.5 million): to transform mineral deposit evaluation and extraction, to significantly enlarge Australia’s mineral resource and generate a more sustainable mining industry.
CRC for Remote Economic Participation ($32.5 million): to support the Government’s commitment to close the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage and develop economically sustainable communities in remote areas.
Wound Management Innovation CRC ($28 million): to improve wound healing and quality of life for people with wounds, and provide cost-effective wound care that lessens burdens on our healthcare system.
Vision CRC ($22 million): to deliver revolutionary vision care treatments and products for sufferers of eye problems like myopia and cataracts.

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Posted on 6th February 2012 - No responsibility is taken for the accuracy of the information presented above