Cooperative Research Centres - 2013 CRC Selection Round (updated 28 May, 2013)

UNSW Participation in Round 16 CRC Bids, 2013

Last revised 28 May, 2013.

Message from DIISRTE to those preparing a CRC applications: An updated CRC Progam impact tool has been released to address a minor issue caused by a calculation error when adding additional research programs. The new file relpaces the previous version and is now available at www.crc.gov.au on the 16th selection round page. It is recommended that applicants download the updated impact tool for use in the 16th selection round. For further information please contact the CRC Progam helpline by phone or email:

CRC Program
AusIndustry
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
GPO Box 9839
Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6213 7177
Fax: (02) 6213 6414
Email: crc.program@innovation.gov.au
Web: www.crc.gov.au

The round is currently open and will close at 5:00pm on 13 June, 2013. To obtain the latest information on the round please go to the DIISRTE CRC Round 16 site.

Priority areas for Round 16 will be:

Innovative Manufacturing

Social Innovation

Sustainable Regional Communities

For commentaries from the CRC Association on the 16th submission round, please click here.

The Centres Secretariat can, upon request, supply a list of consultants who offer a range of services to those preparing bids for CRC funding in the current CRC round.

UNSW's Position

UNSW is currently a member of 11 CRCs including the UNSW-led CRC for Low Carbon Living, which commenced operations on 1 July, 2012.  UNSW was an essential participant in a successful bid in 2012 (Round 15) to establish the CRC for Living With Autism Spectrum Disorders. This CRC will officially begin operations on 1 July, 2013. Links to current CRCs in which UNSW participates can be found on the Centres Secretariat page. UNSW is currently participating several 2013 (Round 16) bids. Background on CRC participation can be found in the Centres Procedure (refer to section 8). Academic staff should note in particular that participation usually requires assignment of IP to the CRC.

• Intending UNSW participants in round 16 bids should liaise as early as possible with the Centres Secretariat. Please contact Associate Professor Peter Krug in the Research Strategy Office (02 9385 9736; p.krug@unsw.edu.au).

• UNSW will only join CRC bids which align closely with our existing or emerging areas of research strength, and which involve UNSW playing a significant role in the CRC (critical mass of researchers, infrastructure support in place, clear alignment with Faculty and University strategic plans). Securing UNSW support will require a strong case which demonstrates capacity to undertake the research and projected outputs that will further enhance UNSW’s research performance.

• In cases where UNSW involvement is minimal, or involves only a small research group, our preference is to support these CRCs by providing contract research on a project-by-project basis. This avoids the considerable effort and responsibilities involved in becoming a full partner in the CRC. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, and participant versus contractor roles should be discussed with Peter Krug early in the planning process.

• UNSW’s contribution as a participant in new CRC bids (including rebids) will be in the form of tied cash (to be spent entirely within UNSW) or in-kind. UNSW adheres strictly to the Group of Eight policy of not providing untied cash contributions to CRCs. The office of the DVC (Research) will consider all requests to provide support to UNSW Faculties / Schools involved in successful CRCs: proposals for support should be flagged early to Peter Krug. However support will only be provided to assist the Faculty or School in providing their in-kind contribution (personnel, resources, facilities). Neither Central nor Faculty or  School cash will be made available to the CRC for spending outside UNSW. Note that the Commonwealth’s guidelines specify that cash and in-kind contributions of participants will be ranked equally when the bid is assessed for matching Commonwealth funding.

• CRC bids must be signed by the DVC (Research) on behalf of the University prior to submission. The Research Strategy Office will ensure that the proposed governance and financial arrangements for the CRC are acceptable and the University will not sign off on bids where those arrangements are unsatisfactory or where insufficient time is available for assessment.

Offer from the CRC Association

The CRC Association is happy to help you connect with other potential bidders who are developing consortia in preparation for the next (2013) round of submissions. They are inviting interested parties to let them know about your interest and they can pass it on to others in the areas of:

• Asian markets
• Diabetes
• Cybersecurity
• Industrial Safety
• Geothermal Energy
• Online Education
• Soils
• Murray–Darling
• Farm Safety
• Complex Project and Program Management

as well as potential re-bidding CRCs and a range of early stage bids.