Applications open for 14th round of CRCs

Federal innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr today announced the opening of round 14 of the CRC ( cooperative research centres) program, inviting companies around Australia to partner up and submit their applications for funding.

“Applications for the 14th CRC round are now open and I particularly encourage applications to establish centres in the areas of clean manufacturing, social innovation and sustainable regional communities,” Senator Carr said.

“Australia must undertake intensive research in these areas to build a strong, prosperous and green nation that can overcome big issues such as climate change, economic stability and skills shortages”.

In the past CRCs have helped develop solutions in such diverse areas as reducing short sightedness in children to saving the endangered blue fin tuna and revealing important minerals deposits.

Carr stressed that the CRC program is an important vehicle for supporting clean manufacturing in Australia, one of the government’s key election commitments during the recent federal election.

He also emphasised the need for CRCs directed towards improving the healthcare system, in addition to supporting sustainability and collaboration in regional communities.

“Australia’s regions generate two-thirds of our export earnings,” Carr said. “Finding solutions to ensure the sustainability of our regional communities is vital so that we can protect the natural wealth that underpins our economy.”