Input sought on future CRCs

The Turnbull government is seeking input from the industry, science and research communities on priority research themes for upcoming selection rounds of the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme.

Public consultation opened last month to identify possible themes and priorities for CRC and CRC-Project selection rounds over the next two years. Future CRCs should continue to match the needs and priorities of the Australian community.

Organisations and individuals submitting responses on future needs may be guided by the existing priorities and themes identified under the Industry Growth Centres Initiative, the National Science and Research Priorities or other government priorities. Alternatively, respondents may wish to highlight gaps in existing research or emerging research challenges that would benefit from better collaboration.

Respondents will also be asked to rank possible priority themes including clinical health care (including remote and Indigenous health), mental health, disaster response and preparedness, climate research, cybersecurity and transport.

While the program will remain open to all industry, research and community sectors, applications in identified national interest priority themes may be called for and/or prioritised for funding. Applications addressing priority themes will be assessed on merit through the standard competitive funding rounds for CRCs and CRC-Projects.

Submissions on possible priority research themes are open until 15 February and can be provided at https://consult.industry.gov.au/crc-programme-review/crc-priorities/.