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ARC is the key Commonwealth funding agency for R&D in Australia. The ARC administers a range of funding programs under the National Competitive Grants Program. These programs are grouped into three categories: Discovery; Linkage; and Centres and Networks. Linkage programs in particular are designed to help broker partnerships between researchers and industry.
The Centre for Research Policy (CRP) is a center in the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Wollongong that carries out research into science and technology policy, research management, and research policy in Australia, Asia and the APEC region. CRP's primary objective is to take a national leadership role in supporting research policy, particularly in relation to improving links between science and industry, and international business capabilities. CRP provides an expert knowledge and research resource that is available to both the public and private sectors. CRP is also the Australian network point for APEC-HURDIT, and is involved in the management of STEPAN .
Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) is a useful source of information about Commonwealth R&D funding opportunities, national research priorities and commercialisation. The DEST website provides information about competitive funding programs and formula-driven funding schemes administered by DEST. A range of Commonwealth research agencies, including CSIRO, can be accessed through the DEST website.
Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs)are a Commonwealth initiative set up to improve the effectiveness of Australia's R&D effort. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative arrangements to facilitate commercialisation and technology transfer. Another feature is industry contribution to CRC education programs to produce industry-ready graduates. There are currently ten ICT CRCs:
The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies represents the views of the workers in Australian science. FASTS has a significant influence in the formulation of science and technology policy. By improving the overall climate for research and development, FAST aims to bring economic, environmental and social benefits to Australia. The societies which make up FASTS represent the professional interests of scientists and technologists in Australia.
Invest Australia, Department of Industry, Science and Tourism, encourages international companies to locate their regional headquarters in Australia and promotes the economy specifically for R&D and data processing services.
One of the main bodies helping Australian firms work towards R&D internationalization is the Industry Research and Development Board (the IR&D Board). Through it's various committees and sub-committees, the Board administers the government's dynamic R&D support programs.
The Board promotes innovation as a means to secure tangible outcomes for industry and the economy. It administers the largest public R&D funds in Australia, oversighting some $820 million in concessional tax assistance and $175 million in grants and loans in the past. It considers funding and tax concession applications from enterprising companies seeking assistance for R&D initiatives. It is stocked with high-caliber personnel, representing a powerful combination of commitment, experience, creativity, probity, integrity and passion.
Science and Technology Initiative (STI)Infrastructure Grants Program supports the development of new private and public sector infrastructure in Victoria in priority industry sectors and strategic technologies through a competitive process. The STI program encouraged collaborative approaches to innovative infrastructure projects. The program is administered by the Office of Science and Technology. Applicants can request funding to support: