Joint media release with the Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, the Hon Andrew Gee MP

The Morrison-McCormack Government is helping Aussie businesses to grow and create jobs, with support for industry and researchers to work together – including in regional Australia.



Funding of between $100,000 and $3 million is available under Round 11 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants program.



In support of the Government’s Regional Decentralisation Agenda, Round 11 will also provide up to $6 million for two Regional CRC-Ps to boost research and development projects in regional areas.



Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said making science and technology work for industry was central to the Government’s economic recovery plan.



“We are backing Aussie businesses and our world-class research institutions to work together, because when they do they unlock innovation that is critical to creating jobs – both now and for generations to come,” Minister Andrews said.



“We want to support our industries and researchers to work together to find innovative solutions to challenges and improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of their operations.”



Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education Andrew Gee said these grants will deliver real results on the ground for country Australia by turbocharging the competitive advantage of our regional industries.



“The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to back our regions and these grants are the first in a suite of decentralisation measures that will create more jobs and investment in country communities,” Minister Gee said.



“We want to support ingenuity and innovation in our regions, greater collaboration with industry leading to the commercialisation of research. That is what will spur even greater economic prosperity in our regions.



“When our regions win, our nation wins and these grants demonstrate the huge economic potential in regional and rural parts of the country.”



CRC-Ps can run for up to three years and must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium sized business, and one Australian research organisation partner.



Regional CRC-Ps must be based in regional Australia, with at least one Australian industry partner relocating from a capital city for the duration of the project.



Further information on CRC-Ps is available at http://www.business.gov.au/crc-p

Media contacts:

Minister Andrews' office: 6277 7070

Minister Gee's office: 6277 7630