Funding for medium to long-term, industry-led research collaborations

Eligible activities must relate directly to the project and may include:

• new research
• proof of concept activities
• pre-commercialisation of research outcomes
• industry-focused education and training
• conferences, workshops and communications
• collaboration with international organisations providing national benefits to Australia

You can only spend grant funds on expenses outlined in your grant agreement. You can find more information on eligibility in the CRC Program Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

We can't consider your application if you don't satisfy all eligibility criteria. Only eligible applications will proceed to the assessment stage.

We can only accept applications where you can provide a declaration from each partner on the template provided and where you can demonstrate the ability to at least match (in cash or in-kind) the grant funds requested. 

We know many businesses have concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on grant applications and grant management. When applying for a grant, consider timeframes and constraints that may impact grant activities due to COVID-19.

If COVID-19 has impacted your ability to meet the obligations of your grant agreement, to discuss your circumstances and how we can assist you, you should contact:

• your customer service manager
• an agent at our Contact Centre.

You can find further COVID-19 government financial assistance and support for Australian businesses on our coronavirus information and support for business page.

We assess your application against the eligibility criteria and then against the assessment criteria. Only eligible applications will proceed to the assessment stage.

The CRC Advisory Committee will assess all eligible Stage 1 applications and make recommendations to the Minister on which applications are suitable for progression to Stage 2. The Minister will invite the most meritorious Stage 1 applicants to submit a Stage 2 application and attend an interview with the CRC Advisory Committee.

The Minister decides which applications to approve, taking into account the:

• recommendations of the committee
• availability of grant funds.

• Assessment criterion 1 - Project alignment with the program objectives (total 25 points)
• Assessment criterion 2 - The quality of your research project (total 25 points)
• Assessment criterion 3 - Capacity, capability and resources to deliver your project (total 25 points):
• Assessment criterion 4 - Impact of the grant funding on your project (total 25 points)

For more information on the assessment criteria please refer to the grant opportunity guidelines

If your Stage 1 application is successful, we'll invite you to submit a Stage 2 application and attend an interview with the CRC Advisory Committee.

In Stage 2, we'll invite you to submit a Stage 2 application addressing CRC Advisory Committee feedback on your Stage 1 application. We'll also ask you to attend an interview with the CRC Advisory Committee.

If you're unsuccessful at either stage, we’ll notify you in writing and give you the chance to discuss the outcome with us.

All funded CRCs must be established and governed as an incorporated company, limited by guarantee (the CRC Entity).

Successful applicants must enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. The grant agreement will specify the reporting requirements, payment schedule and milestones necessary to receive payments.

We'll make payments according to an agreed schedule set out in the grant agreement. Payments are subject to satisfactory progress on the project. We'll make an initial payment on execution of the grant agreement if we're satisfied you have made significant progress in finalising the partners’ agreement.

CRCs, CRC Projects and Industry Growth Centres work together to improve industry research engagement. Growth Centres can help you to identify industry research challenges and encourage collaboration with the right industry members. Find out more in our:

• background information for CRC applicants [275 KB]
• Industry Growth Centres Initiative web page

The CRC Association is a not-for-profit organisation to promote the Cooperative Research Centres Program. Find out more on the CRC Association website.