The successful Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre bid took years and overcame initial rejection
Top tips
- Have a clear, long-term vision for your centre
- Survey the field, then tailor your proposal to the available talents and hardware
- Bring in a wide mix of partners in terms of size, type and capability, but think strategically about who to involve
- Get advice and feedback from the industry association and outsiders, including those who have been recently successful
The Australian government’s Cooperative Research Centre programme funds broad coalitions of researchers and industry, usually with government agency support, for 10-year intensive research and development programmes. The CRCs are chosen through an annual competitive bidding process.