Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program

Up to $50,000 is available from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program to support partnerships between universities and small business in hiring a university graduate to work on an innovative project.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program supports collaboration and knowledge transfer by enabling businesses to partner with universities to select graduates for specific projects in the businesses.

Background

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program forms part of the Advance Queensland initiative, helping to create partnerships to exchange skills and ideas to inspire innovation.

Under the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program, eligible businesses apply in partnership with universities for funding towards the costs for businesses to employ graduates on strategic innovation projects. Universities facilitate the selection of the graduates and mentor them during the projects

Objective

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program aims to:

strongly encourage increased linkages and closer collaboration between Queensland businesses and universities
support and encourage innovation and productivity improvement within business
create knowledge based jobs.

Funding

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program funding will cover two-thirds of eligible project costs, up to $50,000 (excluding GST), for eligible participating businesses,comprising the salary of a graduate to work on a project and some costs directly associated with the graduate’s work.

The program will also provide a service fee for the university’s coordinating and mentoring role (minimum of four hours per month). Service fees to the university will not exceed $10,800 (excluding GST) per project (for a 12 month project). This remuneration is in addition to the business’ funding allocation.

Eligible Projects

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program project must:

meet the definition of a strategic innovation project
commence within 90 days after the Queensland Government signs the application approval
be completed within the agreed project timeframe (all projects must be completed within a six to 12 month timeframe)
have a distinct set of activities, with aims and outcomes achievable within set timeframes
be of strategic importance to the business

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible for the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program funding, a business must:

be Queensland based and GST registered with an Australian Business Number
have been operating for two years or more
have 200 full-time equivalent staff (FTEs)
have a strategic innovation project that would benefit from collaboration with a university
be prepared to manage the project
provide a statement of viability from the business accountant or two year accountant prepared financial statements including profit and loss and balance sheet.
contribute one-third of the eligible project costs.

Eligible Graduates

To be eligible for the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Program a graduate must:

be a recent graduate with Honours, or a Masters or a PhD graduate from a Queensland based university (AQ8 level or higher)
have achieved the above qualification within the last two years
be able to work for a six to 12 month period
be assessed by the university and business to have the necessary skills that match the requirements of the project.

Timing

Applications close 28 August 2017.

More Information

Recent Recipients

Recipient	Knowledge Based Partner	Amount	Project Summary
Airtime Holdings Pty Ltd	Griffith University	$37,000	Undertake research and develop online calculators to reduce carbon emissions in high-rise buildings.
Bioproton	UQ	$47,960	Develop a new process to remove dags from feedlot cattle.
EduCorp (The Education Corporation) The Corporations Professional Ecosystem Pty Ltd	QUT	$34,073	Create an online professional ecosystem by developing an innovative website for educators.
Ellume	UQ	$50,000	Develop an innovative ultra-sensitive test to help diagnose respiratory syncytial virus – one of the most common causes of childhood lung infections.
Evolving Machine Intelligence	UQ	$48,527	Use a new machine-intelligent technology to build and demonstrate a modelling tool for aviation engines, to reduce engine maintenance costs and risks significantly.
GSL: A Good Start to Life	JCU	$43,001	Develop online customer engagement and tools for young people affected by disability or mental health disorders.
Hear and Say	QUT	$49,667	Create a next-generation prosthetic ear for children with microtia using advanced 3D computer modelling and printing technology.
Hear Check	UQ	$33,074	Develop an innovative audiology service accessible to rural and remote patients using telemedicine/telehealth techniques.
ImmersaView	QUT	$44,267	Improve existing immersive display software products to enable the company to compete for larger, more complex contracts.
Mackay GP Superclinic	Central Queensland University	$50,000	Develop an online program to allow clinical patients to enter their details on their smartphone or device beforehand, saving staff and patient time.
Music Broadcasting Society of Queensland	UQ	$24,960	Expand the Silver Memories radio service in Queensland aged care facilities, for the benefit of people living with dementia.
Natura Pacific	Griffith University	$22,550	Create an educational app that will promote the use of native plant species and help reduce the spread of weeds in local ecosystems.