Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has announced that great Australian ideas will have more chance of getting to market, with the launch of a $10 million Researchers in Business program at the Universities Australia conference in Canberra today.
The program will bridge the gap between public sector research and business, giving great ideas more chance of being commercialised at home and boosting innovation in small and medium-sized firms.
For too long, Australia has ranked last in the OECD on collaboration between public sector researchers and industry. This costs us opportunities and leaves us falling further and further behind the rest of the world.
Researchers in Business is one of a number of measures to boost the kind of collaboration that will make the most of great Australian ideas and make the most of the taxpayer's investment in higher education.
Researchers in Business will place researchers in small and medium-sized businesses for two to twelve months. The scheme will provide $50,000 per business to employ researchers from universities or public research agencies.
This is a marvellous opportunity for innovative firms to develop new commercial ideas while giving Australian researchers a new hands-on career option.
It offers a terrific opportunity for any researcher – and especially young researchers - to really value add within a firm. It will help to accelerate the adoption of new ideas and technologies and increase the competitiveness of firms.
Researchers in Business is one part of the Australian Government's $271 million investment in business growth through the Enterprise Connect network.
To find out how to access the program call 131 791, or visit the Enterprise Connect website at www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
Media contact: Catriona Jackson, Minister's Office, 0417 142 238
John Dean, Department, 0419 031 331