Cooperative Research Centres

The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources supports medium- to long-term industry-led collaborations through Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs). The program enables industry to identify and champion collaborative applied research projects.

Following a review, the program has been expanded to include Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-Ps), which are short-term research collaborations.

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer provides co-investment support to CRCs and CRC-Ps based in NSW. In 2020, the Office provided co-investment support to:

CRC	University	Grant	Description
Renewable, Affordable and Clean Energy (RACE) for 2030	University of Technology Sydney	$300,000	RACE for 2030 CRC will lead collaborative innovation to catalyse enhanced reliability, business cost savings, improved energy affordability, reduced carbon emissions and will accelerate development/export potential for Australian energy technology businesses.
SmartCrete CRC	Macquarie University	$300,000	The Smartcrete Cooperative Research Centre will improve the cost, application and durability of concrete to improve the productivity and sustainability of the supply chain.
Future Foods Systems	UNSW Sydney	$300,000	Agrifood leaders around Australia are seeking competitive advantage in emerging markets for customised, nutritious, provenance-verified quality foods and hybrid food/medical goods. The CRC will deliver multidisciplinary research and capability-building across: igniting food regions and supporting clusters of growers and manufacturers in getting their distinctive goods to market smart indoor cropping: science and technology for next-generation indoor horticulture Industry 4.0 food manufacturing: science and technology for the creation of customised, nutrient-dense foods and hybrid food/medical goods tailored to growing domestic and export markets.
SmartSAT CRC	The University of Sydney (NSW node)	$300,000	To accelerate the growth of the NSW space industry by: supporting projects that will create innovative communications-based solutions to problems helping grow the number of new space businesses including start-ups increasing research translation projects and university-industry engagement delivering targeted programs to schools, universities and industry, and other initiatives that will also benefit and grow the broader economy.

CRCP	University	Grant	Description
Autonomous Intelligent Fire Protection System	UNSW Sydney	$50,000	The Intelligent Autonomous Fire Protection System project will develop a unique range of fire prediction, protection and suppression systems for defence, emergency workers, the general public, commercial and suppression systems for defence, emergency workers, the general public, commercial and other novel applications for air, land and marine vehicles for all types of fire classes.
Artificial Intelligence System for Rapid Diagnostics of Disease-causing Mites and Insects	UNSW Sydney	$50,000	Mites and insects cause major health and economic impacts worldwide. They are difficult to identify, requiring expert advice and increasing disease control costs and mismanagement risk. The project will produce an artificial intelligence system for rapid diagnostics of house dust mites and bedbugs, calibrated against ecological and epidemiological data. This technology will result in a marketable phone app that will be of widespread use in the medical sector where entomological diagnostics are required.
Value Australia - Sharpening our land and property decisions with Artificial Intelligence	UNSW Sydney	$50,000	Value Australia will support Australia’s largest market, the $6.8 trillion property market, by creating valuation products that provide better information sooner to homebuyers, investors, businesses and governments whilst reducing costs and risks. Combining research in AI (machine learning), econometric modelling and urban science and extensive data assets this project will deliver secure digital valuation models and tools that cover a broad range of land and property types across Australia.

Current, Transitioned and Legacy CRCs

Information on current CRCs with NSW universities, government agencies and medical research institutes as an essential participant (persons or bodies who provide essential support, including essential cash or in-kind contributions) for the activities of the CRC. Source: CRC Program Guidelines