Industry Innovation Precincts applications open

As part of the federal government’s Innovation and Industry Policy ‘A Plan for Australian Jobs’, released in February, applications have opened for up to eight Industry Innovation Precincts, which will have select access to more than $500 million worth of funding to set up and support networks to bring together industry, companies, universities, research institutions and experts in technology and business.

Each precinct will be headquartered in a specific location, but they will focus nationally to better coordinate existing services and research capacity. They will provide new tools and services to enable Australian businesses to invest, innovate and grow.

The precincts will be determined through a facilitated two-stage competitive selection process. Applications for Stage 1 of the selection process are open until 5 June 2013.

Industry Innovation Precincts are expected to:

• create national business-led networks that build critical mass across both physical and virtual groupings;
• provide support to business through the Growth Opportunities and Leadership Development (GOLD) program;
• have exclusive access to project funding through the Industry Collaboration Fund; and
• encourage businesses in all locations to participate through the digital Industry Innovation Network.

The first two precincts were announced in February: a manufacturing precinct with locations in south-east Melbourne and Adelaide; and a food precinct headquartered in Melbourne. AusBiotech, and its food technology program AusFoodtech, is a founding member of the food precinct.

AusBiotech is in discussions with many organisations around Australia regarding applications, including for a health precinct, a medical technology precinct and biopharmaceutical precinct. Members with an interest in being involved in a precinct are invited to contact Lorraine Chiroiu (lchiroiu@ausbiotech.org) or Alina Tooley (atooley@ausbiotech.org) or phone 03 9828 1400.