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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    CRC Assistance Program Guidelines – Round 25

    Background and Objectives

    The Department of State Development (DSD) is focused on developing a high performing research and innovation system that supports the growth of innovative and competitive businesses and industries.

    The South Australian Research and Innovation Fund (RIF), managed by DSD, supports collaboration between businesses, researchers, and universities to:

    • solve industrial problems,
    • commercialise new products and services,
    • attract investment into research and research infrastructure in the state, and
    • encourage the establishment and growth of startups.

    This supports the vision outlined in the South Australian Economic Statement, which is for the state to be known as ambitious and capable, embracing technology, and driving innovation through targeted industry and research collaborations.

    The South Australian CRC Assistance Program is a RIF Stream 1 funded Program. Stream 1 funds programs that create innovative solutions or translate research into industry or commercial outcomes that address economy-wide challenges for South Australia.

    The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program

    The Australian Government’s CRC Program supports research, industry, and the community to solve industry-identified problems in long-term industry-led collaborative research, for up to 10 years.

    CRCs must:

    • be a medium to long-term industry-led collaborative research program;
    • aim to solve industry identified problems and improve the competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability of Australian industries;
    • include an industry-focused education and training program, including a PhD program that builds capability and capacity;
    • increase research and development (R&D) capacity in small to medium enterprises (SMEs); and
    • encourage industry take up of research.

    The South Australian CRC Assistance Program

    The South Australian CRC Assistance Program aims to support the participation of a South Australian Government agency in the CRC.

    The program may invest in a CRC for three years as follows:

    • up to $100,000 per annum for up to 3 years for a CRC node located in South Australia;
    • up to $200,000 per annum for up to 3 years for a CRC headquarter located in South Australia.

    Please note this investment is available to applications being made through the CRC Program Rounds and not the national CRC Project (CRC-P) Rounds.

    The support through this Call for Proposals will be conditional on:

    • an award of funding from the Commonwealth Government under Round 25 of the Commonwealth CRC Program;
    • key elements of the final, successful CRC remaining consistent with the information provided in the original South Australian CRC Assistance Program application;
    • participation in the South Australian CRC Assistance Program Stage 2 mock interview process; and
    • any other conditions related to the CRC’s partnerships with the South Australian Government.

    Investments are also subject to the provision of a satisfactory annual performance report and delivery of an annual presentation to the Department on activities and outcomes of the CRC.

    Eligibility

    Proposals for the South Australian CRC Assistance Program require the CRC bid to have:

    Assessment Criteria

    Applicants must submit an application through the online form via smartygrants.com.au/crc-round-25 and a copy of the draft version of their CRC Application as an attachment (understanding that this will be a work in progress at the time of submission for this purpose), the CRC Bid Prospectus, and a one-page summary of the CRC application.

    The following will be the online form questions/sections:

    • Purpose and industry identified problem(s) to be addressed by the CRC,
    • CRC targeted industries and alignment to the strategic objectives and mission as outlined in the South Australian Economic Statement,
    • Appropriate governance arrangements for the CRC,
    • The amount of proposed and committed levels of partner investment (cash and in kind) in the CRC and specifically into the CRC in South Australia (identifying industry, research institutions and government investment amounts separately).
    • Research themes and research leader(s), including a link to their relevant profile, highlighting research that will occur in South Australia,
    • How the research will address the identified industry problem(s).
    • List the parties to be involved in the CRC and their roles, including the South Australian Government agency involved in the CRC,
    • Summary of the outcome-focussed collaborative partnerships to be established between industry and research,
    • Summary of collaboration of the CRC with researchers in other disciplines and sectors in South Australia,
    • Summary of the process for involvement of small to medium sized enterprises in South Australia in the CRC.
    • Potential commercial benefits of the CRC to South Australia, including outcomes such as potential products, process and services new to business in South Australia, new to the industry sector, or new to the world,
    • How the CRC will translate innovations into industry in South Australia and beyond,
    • How the CRC will deliver business growth in South Australia.
    • Summary of education and training to be provided by the CRC in South Australia, including information on PhD programs and other training and skills development to be provided,
    • Direct and indirect job creation to occur in South Australia as a result of the CRC, both in industry and research organisations,
    • The CRC’s commitment to building a more diverse STEMM workforce with a focus on increasing the participation of women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in STEMM training opportunities delivered by the CRC.

    Submission, Assessment and Selection Process

    The submission, assessment and selection process will be managed by the Department of State Development. Proposals will be assessed competitively on merit against the eligibility and assessment criteria set out above and in accordance with the RIF Investment Principles. The process will involve three phases:

    Applications must be lodged online with the Department, along with a copy of your draft Commonwealth CRC application, your CRC Bid Prospectus and a one-page summary of the CRC application. Applications must be lodged with the Department by close of business 30 January 2024. Upon submission you will receive a receipt of your application along with a copy of your submission.

    Each CRC bid team will be given the opportunity to present their proposal to an Assessment Panel as well as answer any questions that the Panel may have. No more than six members of the bid team can present to the Assessment Panel. This should include an appropriate representative from the South Australian Government participating agency in the CRC. Assessment Panel presentations are likely to occur between 7 and 9 February 2024.

    Each party involved in the selection process must declare any real, potential, or perceived conflict of interest that exists or is likely to arise in relation to any aspect of an application submitted.

    Based on the application and presentation, the Assessment Panel will provide advice on which, if any, proposals the South Australian Government should support. A final decision to support proposals, if any, will be made by the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. In exceptional circumstances, the Minister may consider or accept (at their sole discretion) any proposal, including without limitation a proposal that is not in accordance with these guidelines.

    Download these guidelines

    Key Contact

    Dr Charlotte Scobie

    Senior Program Officer,
    Department of State Development

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