Researcher working in a fume cupboard

Collaborate with our researchers

Work with us to solve problems
By combining our research expertise with your industry or business knowledge, we can work closely together to create innovative solutions with real-world impact.

We understand that some problems are so complex that they require a radically different approach. Whether you’re a university, multinational business, startup or not-for-profit, it’s no longer enough to rely on traditional approaches to compete and thrive in today’s world.

By connecting our researchers with your business or organisation, we can create outcomes that are truly multidisciplinary, and are embedded in both evidence-based research and industry experience.

This approach ensures ideas are freely exchanged, assumptions are challenged, and hypotheses refined to create stronger, more robust outcomes. 

We're working with partners such as Microsoft, Rio Tinto and Qantas. We’re designing the world’s first quantum computer, converting plastic waste into fuel, reforming policy and more.

Access more funding

The government has established several funding opportunities, designed to apply research expertise to industry and business challenges. We have access to these funding opportunities, so a collaboration with us can increase your research budget.

Innovation Connections aims to allow small and medium businesses to collaborate with the research sector to develop new ideas with commercial potential.

This scheme takes a ‘facilitation first’ approach, providing expert advice and solution pathway for business to knowledge-related issues.

Following the facilitated service, Innovation Connections may provide access to up to 12 months of financial assistance in the form of a matched funding grant worth up to $50,000 to support engagement with us to undertake research activities on the business’ behalf.

Linkage grants support research and development projects that involve collaboration between university researchers and external organisations (state government entities, commercial organisations and not-for-profits).

They are three to five-year programs, with ARC grant funding of $50,000 to $300,000 per year, with external organisations providing matching funding.

Staff can find information on how to apply for Linkage Projects here.

The Industrial Transformation Research Program is a scheme that engages Australia's best researchers in issues facing the new industrial economies and training the future workforce.

Hubs engage in cutting edge research on new technologies and economic and social transformation and support the development of research in these priority areas:

  • manufacturing
  • food and agriculture
  • oil and gas, including petroleum
  • mining and mining services
  • medical devices and biotechnology.

Up to $5 million over five years is available through this program for universities and industrial partners to focus on significant collaborative projects.

The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program funds major collaborative partnerships designed to tackle complex problems for end-users.

CRC programs last typically for seven years with possible extensions, with a total of $20 million to $40 million in research funding over the life of the program. They can involve multiple universities and industry partners.

The average grant is around $3 million per year and industry partners' cash and in-kind contributions must at least match the grant amount.

Accelerating Commercialisation offers access to commercialisation advisers with experience and connections to address the challenges associated with commercialising novel products, processes and services.

Eligible individuals and businesses that submit an expression of interest will receive guidance on their commercialisation project and feedback on its potential merit under the program.

Accelerating Commercialisation also offers grants of up to 50 percent of eligible project expenditure, up to a maximum of $1 million over two years, to assist in the commercialisation of novel products, processes and services.

The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme provides funding for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities to eligible organisations.

The scheme enables higher education researchers to participate in cooperative initiatives so that expensive infrastructure, equipment and facilities can be shared between higher education organisations and also with industry.

The scheme also fosters collaboration through its support of the cooperative use of international or national research facilities.

Under the scheme, applicants may seek funding for:

  • infrastructure, equipment and facility purchases, construction and installation
  • major computing/data facilities, animal houses, herbaria and experimental farms
  • salaries directly associated with creating and installing infrastructure, equipment or facilities
  • consortium membership costs, in the case of Australia's participation in the use of significant international-scale or national research facilities
  • library and research information infrastructure.

The NSW TechVouchers program encourages collaboration between NSW small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and public sector research organisations located in NSW.

TechVouchers are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible NSW companies for amounts of up to $15,000, and must be matched by the partner organisations.

The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) Industry Internship program is aimed at building links between the University and those in industry.

AMSI interns are postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows who work on a pre-defined project designed to address a key business challenge faced by the host company. Companies benefit from access to world-class knowledge and expertise through students and mentoring.