The Australian Government has committed $10 million within Enterprise Connect to support the placement of researchers from universities or public research agencies into businesses where it is identified that such a placement would help to develop and implement a new idea with commercial potential.
A factsheet on Researchers in Business can be found at the following link.
What does Researchers in Business offer?
Funding for up to 50 per cent of salary costs, to a maximum of $50,000, will be provided for each placement. Placements can be for a period of 2 to 12 months.
The program aims to:
• help break down the cultural divide between business and the research sector
(the researcher may be from a university or research agency),
• speed the dissemination of expertise,
• accelerate the adoption of new ideas and technologies, and
• increase competitiveness of firms.
Researchers in Business linkage suppliers
Linkage Service Suppliers support the Researchers in Business program by helping businesses identify relevent research organisation expertise, reducing the time and cost to businesses of developing projects and finding the right researchers to work on them. The program's two Linkage Service Suppliers – Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) and CSIRO have the skill, expertise and national networks to facilitate Researcher in Business projects. They work with Enterprise Connect Business Advisers, and eligible Businesses to:
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identify specific relevant expertise, facilities and technology from within Australian research organisations and
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help businesses assess and select the best source of expertise to meet their needs
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help facilitate the commercial relationship between businesses and potential research organisation partners and provide advice on accessing available funding.
To find out more about how these Linkage Suppliers may be able to assist you in organising a Researchers in Business placement, please contact your nearest manufacturing or innovation centre office.
How do applicants apply?
Application forms for Researchers in Business funding are available at the following link. The application must include the details of the three parties involved in the project – the firm, the research organisation and the researcher.
Completed application forms and a copy of the Researcher's current CV can be lodged at enterpriseconnect@innovation.gov.au
Applications for a Researchers in Business grant will be processed against the criteria set out in the Enterprise Connect Researchers in Business Client Guidelines. A copy of the guidelines is available at the following link.
The Guidelines provide information on:
• Criteria for eligibility for Researchers in Business funding
• How to apply
• The obligations of parties involved in the Researchers in Business project
What is required of successful applicants?
Deed of Grant
Successful applicants will be required to sign a deed of grant. The deed is a legal contract between the applicant (either the firm or the research organisation) and the Commonwealth which sets out the responsibilities of both parties.
A sample deed of grant is available here.
Reporting
Parties involved in the Researchers in Business project will be required to report on its outcomes. Reports are due halfway through and at the completion of the project, as set out in the deed of grant. Information contained in the reports will be treated as commercial-in-confidence and will assist in the evaluation of Enterprise Connect services.
The progress report template can be downloaded here.
The final report templates can be downloaded here and here.
For further information on the Researchers in Business program, please call the Enterprise Connect Hotline between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm (AEST) on 131 791 (Australian callers only) or email enterpriseconnect@innovation.gov.au