Implementing the review of the
Cooperative Research Centres Programme
Lisa Schofield
General Manager, Commercialisation Policy Branch
August 2015
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Policy intent & programme objectives

Strategic policy
­ Support science and commercialisation
­ Enable growth and productivity for globally competitive industries

Objectives
­ Improve competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, especially…including the recently announced growth sectors, and in line with
Australia’s science and research priorities.
­ Establish and support industry-led, outcome focused collaborative research partnerships between industry and research organisations
­ Conduct high quality research to solve industry problems
August: Consultation to inform changes to guidelines
Sept/Oct: Drafting guidelines and reviews of CRCs
November: Guidelines finalised; expected release end Nov
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Key topics covered in this presentation

New Governance
­ CRC Advisory Committee

New focus
­ “Solving industry problems”
­ Address science & research priorities

New Guidelines
­ Key changes and questions for revised guidelines:
­ Eligibility criteria
­ CRC-P design
­ Selection criteria
­ Simplifying and streamlining processes
­ Links with Growth Centres
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Eligibility Criteria (CRC)

Definition of Industry
­ Current programme requires an “end-user”

Definition of Research organisation
­ Current programme requires a “higher education institution (or a research institute affiliated with a university)”

Extensions: None
­ CRCs limited to a maximum of 10 years with no extension of funding
­ This will apply to existing and new CRCs

New:
A new CRC must clearly demonstrate they are new
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Eligibility Criteria (CRC-Project)

Definition of “acceptable entity”
­ The entity responsible to deliver the project
­ Must be an industry partner in the collaboration
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
CRC-Project design

Industry led project
­ Should include at least two Australian industry partners, including at least one
SME, and at least one Australian research organisation

Industry-focused research programme with tangible industry outcomes
­ Extent to which the CRC-P delivers on outcomes in growth sectors will be a consideration in assessment

Up to a maximum of 3 years – no extension

Funding of up to $3 million available, on a matched basis (cash and in-kind)
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Selection Criteria
1. Need for Funding / Additionality
Applicants must explain why the industry challenge would not be addressed without Commonwealth government (CRC) funding
Only applicants that demonstrate a ‘Need for Funding’ will be considered further
2. Research Programme
Proposals must solve a well-defined industry challenge/s and explain how the proposed research activities will address that challenge.
3. Industry Outcomes
Proposals must clearly articulate tangible industry outcomes expected to derive from the research activity. This includes describing the proposed commercial potential of the outcomes and any spill-over benefits
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Selection Criteria cont’d
4. Governance & Management Capability
Applicants must demonstrate principles of good governance and appropriate levels of expertise in project management; business management; commercialisation management and relevant market sector/technology
5. Education and Training Programme
Proposals must explain how they contribute to capacity and capability building in related industry and research sectors
This criterion is not mandatory for CRC-Ps however a strong response to this criterion will be looked upon favourably
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Selection Criteria cont’d
6. Value for money
Proposals must demonstrate the level of grant funding required and how it will be used; why the Commonwealth should invest in the CRC or CRC- Project
7. National Benefits
The extent to which the proposal aligns with the growth sectors; Australia’s science and research priorities; and improves Australia’s competitiveness in the global economy and spill over benefits
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Streamlining Processes – CRC Selection Round

Stage 1: Short proposal providing the following:
­ Brief response against selection criteria
­ List of participants including level of commitment
­ Basic data such as grant funding, term, key personnel etc

Stage 2: Full business case, including but not limited to:
­ Detailed statement of claims against the selection criteria
­ Detailed budget including participant contributions
­ Interviews
­ Impact Tool
­ Key staff including roles, responsibilities and experience
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Streamlining Processes – CRC-Projects Selection Round

Single stage online application process
­ Application will be a streamlined smart form hosted on business.gov.au
­ Applications to address the following:

Detailed statement of claims against Selection Criteria

Detailed budget including participant contributions

Milestones

Basic input costs, usage costs and impacts
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Streamlining Processes – CRC/CRC-Project Reporting

Reporting requirements for CRCs and CRC-Ps.

Potential areas for streamlining include:
­ Quarterly reports
­ Annual reports, including the Management Data Questionnaire
­ First year reviews
­ Performance reviews
­ Contract variations
­ Transition plans
­ Exit reports

Consideration of post-reporting
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Links with Industry Growth Centres

The Review report recommended CRCs and Growth Centres be aligned and work together

Growth Centres will set a 10 year strategy for the sector, and CRCs in relevant sectors will be expected to link with Growth Centres.

CRCs will be the engine of innovative research supporting the work of the Growth
Centres to drive productivity and competitiveness.

Reviews of current CRCs will identify linkages between CRCs and Growth Centres and recommend appropriate engagement strategies, noting that existing CRCs have funding agreements and research programmes in place.

New CRCs and CRC-Ps in the sectors will need to identify how they link and contribute to the outcomes of the Growth Centres.
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Revising CRC Programme Guidelines:
Summary for feedback

Eligibility Criteria
­ Definition of industry
­ Definition of research organisation
­ Definition of acceptable entity

CRC-P design
­ How do you think CRC-Ps should work?

Selection criteria
­ Simplifying and streamlining processes
­ Which areas of reporting would you like to see streamlined/simplified?

Links with Growth Centres
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Department of Industry and Science
Industry House
10 Binara Street
Canberra City, ACT 2601, Australia
Telephone +61 2 6213 6000
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