FAQs

We are seeking partners that can commit to annual contributions over 10-years to ensure we are able to secure Commonwealth funding for that period. Once the CRC is established, partners will have the option to withdraw by giving 12-months’ notice.

We are aiming to secure a total of approximately $4 million per annum in cash from all AACRC partner organisations combined, and roughly double that in in-kind contributions. The partner cash contributions will be matched by Commonwealth funding to total approximately $8 million cash per annum over the 10-year funding period.

Generally, we expect 70% of partner contributions to come from industry and end-user partners and 30% to come from research partners. There are no limits to the individual partner commitments on an annual basis. Major contributors usually commit amounts in the order of $200K+ per annum, whereas other partners might contribute smaller cash amounts or in-kind only.

The structure of the AACRC is designed to ensure all partners have the same basic rights and obligations with a strong focus on project development and participation process.

Partners committing cash resources over agreed levels (plus in-kind contributions) may seek representation on the Industry Panel to oversee the strategic direction of the activities, with academic partners also providing formal research program leadership.

Industry and end-user partners committing smaller amounts of cash per annum (plus in-kind contributions) will be able to join projects of interest or submit independent proposals that will be eligible for matched Commonwealth funding and minimum collaboration commitments.

Partners committing in-kind resources only will be able to join projects of interest and will help drive project priorities.

All partners will have multiple opportunities to engage and collaborate through regular partner forums, industry panels and direct project team involvement.

The Research Program is designed to reflect the high-level scope of AACRC activities based on the priorities of the industry and end-user partners and the expertise and capacity of the consortium’s research partners. This scope will be further refined as the application for funding is finalised.

The programs provide a roadmap for the activities of the AACRC around key deliverables, capabilities and synergies that will directly inform project design, drive collaboration, and build the capacity of researchers and industry professionals.

All partners will have discretion around projects and contributions based on a well-structured collaborative process designed to identify the key outputs and synergies across all consortium activities.

Research program leaders will work with industry partners to build project components that leverage the matched funding and in-kind resources effectively and deliver against quarterly milestones.

In-kind contributions are a crucial component of the CRC funding mix and add significantly to the scale and scope of project activities. The AACRC will effectively harness the in-kind contributions at the project level and through the collaboration process to ensure all partners are engaged in project activities with meaningful contributions and access to high-value outputs.

The Company will be the signatory to the Commonwealth funding agreement on behalf of the partners. The rights and obligations of all CRC partner organisations will be enshrined in a detailed partner agreement. The Company will operate as a not-for-profit charity with a constitution limited to standard corporate requirements. Membership of the Company is not a requirement and will not impact the rights and obligations of organisations as CRC partners.

The AACRC will work directly with all partner candidates to finalise the scope of activities and high-level strategic direction as the application content is developed.

A draft term sheet summary detailing partner rights and responsibilities is available for review and comment. A more detailed document set will be made available as funding application components are developed and partner terms are finalised.

The application process for CRC funding involves two stages. Stage One applications require responses to assessment criteria and partner declarations. Applications successfully moving to Stage Two are required to submit further details and be interviewed by the CRC Advisory Committee.

The Partner Declaration is a declaration of intent made by a partner organisation to the Commonwealth to confirm its intention to participate in the proposed CRC should the application be successful. It is not a contract between the Commonwealth and the partner organisation and does not create any binding legal obligation on the partner. The Partner Declaration is designed to affirm the truth and accuracy of the CRC information provided and acknowledges the obligations on partners should the application be successful.

Round 25 of the CRC funding program is expected to open on January 8th, 2024, and Stage 1 submission is due on March 5th, 2024. Partners will be invited to participate in meetings and workshops to scope and design the CRC. Partners will also need to provide a signed Partner Declaration stating intended contributions, administrative information about their organisation, and a one-page statement that describes their involvement in the CRC. The bid team will assist with Partner Declaration forms.