The ‘Empowering Industry’ project identified an ongoing need for a process to enable Industry to identify and develop R&D ideas into successful projects partnered with suitable providers and funders.

The current project improves on this model by developing an ongoing, cost-effective and transparent process that builds capacity within Industry to identify and initiate R&D, on a coordinated national or regional scale, using the most suitable service providers. This will lead to the development of Industry driven, effective and efficient projects aligning with strategic directions addressing critical issues, such as the economic and social sustainability, across sectors and jurisdictions.

A web-based project registry, using and building on existing sites (eg. SSA, FRDC, WAFIC), will ensure a transparent process to link industry with R&D providers to develop projects in cooperation.

A key focus of this project will be to ensure Industry build closer linkages with the FRABs and understands their requirements, how to achieve them and to encourage cooperation and coordination to harmonise R&D across and between sectors and jurisdictions. The project also seeks a method to engage and involve the FRABs so they better understand Industry’s broader R&D needs.

The process should lead to project proponents seeking out the best service providers, possibly leading to the development of ‘centres-of-excellence’ which will optimise skills, and increase return on R&D dollars.

This project will identify and evaluate Industry R&D ideas, provide a means to put projects into context and assess their suitability, prior to moving further into funding cycles, or identifying other options to achieve the desired outcomes.

This project will seek to have an educational and induction component, identifying FRDC’s and FRAB roles, responsibilities and processes and developing the experiential triangle of R&D; (i.e. Manager-Researcher-industry interactions) to improve outcomes adoption.

Utilising NSILP and ARLP graduates will enhance their Industry standing and input.