Industry and government

Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program information

The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. It’s a proven model for linking researchers with industry to focus on research and development towards use and commercialisation.

It aims to:

improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, especially where Australia has a competitive strength and in line with government priorities
foster high quality research to solve industry-identified problems through industry-led and outcome-focused collaborative research partnerships between industry entities and research organisations
encourage and facilitate small and medium enterprise (SME) participation in collaborative research.

There are two components of the CRC Program.

CRC Grants (CRCs) offer medium to long term (up to 10 years), large scale funding for industry-led research collaborations to address significant industry problems. Grants typically have an large number of collaborating organisations and can receive between $30M-$75M of commonwealth funding (matched by participant contributions).
CRC Projects (CRC-P) are short-term (up to 3 years) industry-led collaborative research initiatives supported by up to $3M of commonwealth funding (matched by participant contributions).

Both CRCs and CRC-P collaborations must at least match the amount of the commonwealth grant funding through cash and/or in-kind contributions. In-kind contribution include the non-cash resources provided by a participant to conduct the activities of the CRC or the CRC-P and may be staff or non-staff resources.

CRCs and CRC-Ps will receive funding for a single, specified term to undertake the activities or project in the funding agreement.

The CRC Program supports collaborative research that aligns with Australian Government priorities and areas of focus. This includes alignment with the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas, Science and Research Priorities, and/or specific industry sector focus areas that are identified for priority funding in CRC-P and CRC rounds from time to time.

The Industry Growth Centres are an important stakeholder and resource in the CRC Program and should be consulted during the bid development stage to ensure alignment with the relevant industry sector competitiveness plans. Industry Growth Centres also play a role in the assessment of CRCs and CRC-P proposals.

For more information, see the Cooperative Research Centres Program website.

Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P)

The minimum grant amount is $100,000 and the maximum grant amount is $3 million.

The grant amount will be up to 50% of eligible grant project value.

The lead applicant must be a SME.

The maximum grant period is 3 years.

Must have at least:

Two Australian Industry Entities including at least one SME (less than 200 employees)
One Australian Research Organisation.

Key Dates

CRC-P Round 16

Round opens:	24 April 2024
Round closes:	5 June 2024
Outcomes announced:	Late 2024
Funding commencing:	Late 2024

CRC-P Round 17

Round opens:	Late 2024
Round closes:	Early 2025
Outcomes announced:	Mid 2025
Funding commencing:	Mid 2025

Cooperative Research Centres (CRC)

There are no minimum or maximum grant amounts for CRCs. Commonwealth funding is typically in the order of $30M-$75M over 7-10 years – with this funding matched (or exceeded) by participant contributions.

The maximum grant period is 10 years.

Must include a collaboration between at least one Australian industry organisation and one Australian research organisation.

Must be industry-led and aim to solve industry identified problems and improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries.

Must include an industry-focused education and training program, including a PhD program that builds capability and capacity.

Participating in a CRC at Flinders

CRC grants provide a mechanism to leverage significant industry investment to secure commonwealth funding to build capability and critical mass, and to tackle major industry challenges, through large-scale research collaborations between researchers, industry and end-users.

The involvement of Flinders University in any CRC bid will involve a significant investment of time (from researchers) and other in-kind resources, and of university cash. All CRC involvement must be endorsed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), with the support of the relevant College Executive Deans. Flinders University will only support CRC proposals where financial returns are appropriate and there is a strategic case to do so.

The Flinders University CRC Participation Guidelines explain the steps for Flinders to be involved in a CRC, including the approvals required and timelines to consider. CRC Participation Guidelines and Participation Request forms are in the ‘Supporting documents and links’ below.

Key dates for CRC Participation at Flinders University

CRC Round 25 2024

Step	Date	Responsibility
CRC Participation – Intent to Apply	Anytime	CRC Lead Researcher (CLR) advises Research Development and Support. Email to crc@flinders.edu.au.
CRC Participation Request (CPR) – Initial	11 December 2023 Mandatory for all CRC bids involving Flinders University	CLR: Prepares and submits the CRC (Initial) for consideration of the participation of Flinders University in a CRC. Email CPR to Research Development and Support: crc@flinders.edu.au.
CRC Participation Request (CPR) - Detailed	15 January 2024 Mandatory for all CRC bids involving Flinders University	If the CLR receives advice from Research Development and Support that their CPR (Initial) has been approved to progress. CLR: Prepares and submits the CPR (Detailed) for consideration of the participation of Flinders University in a CRC. Emails CPR to Research Development and Support: crc@flinders.edu.au.
DVCR, RDS, College Deans of Research, CLR and key proponents of the bid to meet to confirm bid details (pitch)	By 9 February 2024	DVCR: Considers CPR, pitch by CLR and recommendation by College Deans of Research. Provides approval for the University’s participation in a CRC bid and confirms Stage 1 bid details (cash and in-kind support etc).
Bid documents and signed CPR due in Research Development and Support, to facilitate DVCR signature of CRC Partner Declaration.	By 23 February 2024	If the Flinders CRC Participation Request is approved, the CLR will work with the bid leader (if a different person) to prepare a full bid submission. Research Development and Support: Works with CLR to finalise Flinders sign-off on the Partner Declaration and check final Stage 1 CRC Bid (in-kind and cash contributions).
Stage 1 Bids close: Commonwealth Submission Deadline	5 March 2024	CLR works with the bid leader (if a different person) to prepare a full bid submission. Research Development and Support: For Flinders-led bids: Coordinate final certification and submission of the bid documents to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. For bids by other organisations: coordinate Partner Declaration to be signed by Flinders.
Stage 2 Bids open	17 September 2024 By invitation only	Prepared by Bid Team
Stage 2 Bids close	29 October 2024 By invitation only	Prepared by Bid Team
Interviews in Canberra	9-10 December 2024	If shortlisted by the Department of Industry and Science
Successful applicants notified	Late 2024/early 2025	CRC Applicants