Funding for seven CRCs announced

Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane has announced almost $186 million in funding as part of the 16th CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) Program selection round. The government funding will create three new CRCs and extend four existing CRCs to drive research that will deliver practical benefits to industry and the community.

“These seven industry-driven CRCs will bring together more than 130 organisations across Australia and internationally, including 60 industry partners and organisations in Asia, Europe and United States,” Macfarlane said, noting, “The benefits of collaboration are well known.”

Macfarlane said CRCs bring together key industry partners, world-class researchers, the community and government to create “amazing opportunities” and develop solutions to assist Australian industries.

“Australian companies such as EOS Space Systems will collaborate with world-class researchers and large multinationals such as Lockheed Martin to develop new technologies, gain access to global markets and improve their competitiveness,” Macfarlane said.

The three new CRCs are:

• The Rail Manufacturing CRC ($31 million), which will develop products, technologies and supply chain networks to increase the capability and globally competitive position of the rail industry.
• The Data to Decisions CRC ($25 million), which will develop tools to maximise the benefits that Australia’s defence and national security sector can extract from big data to reduce national security threats.
• The Space Environment Management CRC ($19.8 million), which will monitor, analyse and manage space debris and develop new technologies and strategies to preserve the space environment for the benefit of Australia.

The four extended CRCs are:

• The HEARring CRC ($28 million), which will develop new devices, therapies and service-delivery models to improve the prevention, detection and remediation of hearing disorders.
• The Cancer Therapeutics CRC ($34 million), which will build on the drug-discovery engine it has already created to discover effective new drugs for major cancers and improve the lives of children with cancer through tailored and personalised treatment.
• The Capital Markets CRC ($32.4 million), which will develop operational technology solutions.
• The CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation ($15.5 million), which will enhance sheep wellbeing and productivity, value-based trading of sheep meat and deliver affordable technologies to transform the Australian sheep industry.

“Significant funding for long-term research projects allows CRCs to tackle ambitious projects … and I am sure these CRCs will continue to deliver major benefits to Australia,” Macfarlane said.

“In addition to this funding, the Advanced Manufacturing and Manufacturing Industry Innovation CRCs are well positioned to assist the Australian manufacturing industry to adapt to new, high-tech manufacturing processes and will assist in opening new markets. These applications displayed merit and are proposing to address issues of national importance. As such, I have asked these CRCs to submit a combined proposal for my consideration.”

Applications for the 17th CRC Program selection round will open on 3 March 2014 and close on 3 July 2014. Applications should be industry led and focused on practical solutions that diversify the Australian economy and improve the competitiveness, productivity, sustainability and export potential of Australian industries.

Information sessions will be held around the country and interested parties can register to attend here.

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