Australian Innovation System Report 2012 Compendium of Program Updates

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT

Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative

The Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative (VeRSI) is an eResearch program established in 2006 and funded by the Victorian Government to accelerate and coordinate the uptake of eResearch in universities, government departments and other research organisations.

In August 2011 the Victorian Government announced a further $2 million of funding to VeRSI to allow VeRSI’s membership to expand to include all eight Victorian universities as well as the Australian Synchrotron and the Victorian Government Department of Primary Industries. VeRSI also engages widely with other State Research Organisations, Medical Research Institutes and Facilities, and infrastructure providers, such as VERNet, and with Victorian and Commonwealth government agencies.

VeRSI and its partners are delivering embedded technologies and adaptable models that foster multi-disciplinary collaboration, lower barriers, and encourage the development of cross-institutional services and platforms. The partners benefit directly from their involvement as early adopters of eResearch, while also aiding in the development of an enhanced state-wide research environment. These partnerships and activities act as exemplars of the ways in which eResearch can enhance collaboration and the sharing of research infrastructure and capabilities, thus enabling faster and more transformative research, and ultimately in reinforcing Victoria’s position as a knowledge-based economy.

Website for further information:

http://versi.edu.au/

Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future

In October / November 2011, the Victorian Government released Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future (VTPF), a suite of integrated plans for biotechnology, information and communication technology (ICT) and small technologies. With VTPF, the Victorian Government is taking a new approach to supporting technology and reflecting a commitment to drive productivity growth in new ways. A total of $150 million has been committed to the VTPF to support the development of Victoria’s technology capabilities and facilitate technology-enabled innovation across the economy.

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  The $10 million VTPF Small Technologies plan supports Victorian businesses to take advantage of the opportunities offered by small technologies and the breakthroughs they are generating. One of the key programs of the plan is the continuation of the Small Technologies Industry Uptake Program (STIUP) which links industry partners seeking solutions with leading-edge providers of small technologies know-how.
  

Website for further information:

www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/overview/small-technologies/victorias-technology-plan-for-the-future-small-technologies

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  The $55 million VTPF Biotechnology plan promotes biotechnology-enabled innovation more broadly across Victorian industry. The plan covers two action areas:
  

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  capability development – support to develop the necessary talent pool, capitalise on Victoria’s world-class R&D base, and pursue international trade and investment opportunities; and
  
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  biotech-enabled innovation – focusing on demand-driven product development, uptake programs, demonstration projects and regulatory reform.
  

A key component of the biotechnology plan is a $15 million Health Market Validation Program (Health MVP) to encourage innovation in Victoria's healthcare system.

Website for further information:

www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/overview/biotechnology/future-of-biotechnology/victorias-technology-plan-for-the-future-biotechnology

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  The $85 million VTPF ICT plan supports the continuing growth, development and global competitiveness of Victoria’s ICT sector and promotes ICT-enabled innovation across the economy, establishing targets for ICT skills development, investment and export and the development of ICT infrastructure in Victoria.
  

Website for further information:

www.mmv.vic.gov.au/ICTIndustry

Health Market Validation Program

The Health Market Validation Program (Health MVP) is a key initiative of VTPF – Biotechnology. The $15 million competitive grants program encourages innovation in healthcare by leveraging the power of government as a customer. The Victorian Government is seeking solutions to healthcare challenges to achieve better health outcomes, improve healthcare service delivery and deliver economic benefits for Victoria. The Health MVP supports the pre-market development of innovative healthcare-related products, processes or services by Victorian SMEs, including biotechnology, medical device and diagnostics companies. It links those in the public health sector who have identified a need with innovative Victorian SMEs that can develop technology solutions.

The Health MVP builds on the Victorian Government’s Smart SMEs Market Validation Program, launched in 2009, and involves a three stage process, run in a single round, which opened in November 2011:

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  The first stage identifies the specific technology needs of health-focused Victorian public sector entities such as health services, hospitals or other healthcare providers. Public sector entities are invited to specify health problems that, if solved, are likely to result in significant improvement in the cost or delivery of healthcare services. During this stage, agencies can submit a Technology Requirement Specification (TRS) outlining the specific health problem and the anticipated benefits from addressing the need.
  
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  At the second stage, the Victorian Government will invite SMEs to propose new technology solutions to meet the need described in each TRS. This Call for Proposals stage is expected to be announced in mid-August 2012.
  
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  In stage three, SMEs that submit successful proposals to TRS will receive a grant of up to $100,000 to undertake a Feasibility Study, for up to 4 months. Successful Feasibility Studies may then be eligible for further funding of up to $1.5 million over two years in a Validation Stage to undertake R&D (including clinical trials) to progress the developed solution to market.
  

The program will provide innovative SMEs with opportunities to develop new health technology related products, processes or services to a point where they are ready for final-stage investment to reach the market. These purpose-developed technologies have the potential to deliver: improved healthcare, more productive healthcare service delivery (e.g. faster treatment times, reduced cost of treatment, reduced hospital stays), and economic benefit for Victoria through supporting SMEs to bring products to market.

Website for further information:

www.business.vic.gov.au/hmvp

Small Technologies Industry Uptake Program

Small Technologies Industry Uptake Program (STIUP) was launched in October 2010 and is the flagship initiative in the Government’s VTPF — Small Technologies. Guidelines were amended in 2011 to promote an increased focus on projects, which promote uptake of technologies by firms, to increase their productivity.

The program provides vouchers which can be exchanged for access to Victorian small technologies facilities, goods, services, advice or expertise, allowing innovative companies to absorb new technologies. There are three voucher sizes:

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  The Small Technologies Feasibility Voucher (STFeas) (to a maximum value of $10,000) can be used for small fee-based services such as demonstration of coatings, preliminary testing, and consulting services to evaluate feasibility of micro and nano fabrication processes.
  
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  The Small Technologies Technical Voucher (STTech) (to a maximum value of $50,000) can be used for more substantial micro or nanotechnology based development activity such as assistance for small scale product prototyping, laboratory verification, field testing and fabrication of small technology demonstrators.
  
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  The Small Technologies Trial Voucher (STTrial) (to a maximum value of $250,000). These vouchers may be used to trial existing small technology based innovations which can improve the competitiveness of a firm / business or can improve services which are provided for the benefit of Victorians.
  

Website for further information:

www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/programs/small-technologies-industry-uptake-program/guidelines-for-small-technologies-industry-uptake-stiup

Victorian Technology Trade and International Partnering program

The Victorian Technology Trade and International Partnering program (TRIP) - biotechnology and small technology, is designed to facilitate international partnerships through attending international conferences, trade events and meetings with regulatory authorities.

TRIP has been developed by the Victorian Government to support the growth and internationalisation of Victorian biotechnology (including health, industrial and agricultural biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics) and small technology companies (micro and nanotechnology).

TRIP provides grant assistance for eligible Victorian companies to attend recognised overseas conferences, trade events and meetings with regulatory authorities. Grants are available up to a maximum of $10,000.

Website for further information:

www.export.business.vic.gov.au/funding-and-assistance/the-science-and-technology-international-partnering-program

Digital Futures Fund

The Digital Futures Fund (DFF) was announced as part of VTPF –ICT. The DFF is a competitive grants program to stimulate business innovation through support for collaborative projects in the ICT sector and with other partners including:

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  supporting the development and trial of new ICT-enabled products, services and business models with significant commercial and export potential;
  
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  assisting businesses to use ICT to support business growth, improve competitiveness and productivity;
  
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  encourage ICT companies, researchers and end users to work together to use ICT to address specific problems or challenges; and
  
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  working with industry and education stakeholders to grow ICT research precincts across the State and to facilitate greater collaboration and international linkages.
  

The first funding round opened in March 2012 and involved two stages:

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  Stage 1: Expression of Interest – closed mid-April 2012.
  
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  Stage 2: Business plan development – closed early August 2012.
  

It is anticipated the outcomes of the first funding round will be announced in late 2012. Details about the second funding round will be posted on the website when available.

Website for further information:

www.mmv.vic.gov.au/dff

Broadband Enabled Innovation Program

The Broadband Enabled Innovation Program (BEIP) is a consolidation of various broadband effective use programs such as the Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund (CIIF) and Re-Innovate.

CIIF Round 1 was held in 2009 and provided project-based funding to support early adopters of new technologies such as web 2.0 to undertake collaborative projects that demonstrate new ways of working and solving problems. Twenty-two projects were funded in this round and are now being implemented.

The BEIP is a competitive grants program to accelerate the innovative use of the next generation of ICT by Victorian Government, business and community. BEIP builds capability for ICT-enabled innovation and generates models to support more widespread adoption of new technologies.

BEIP Round 1 focuses on “Applications in a high capacity broadband world” and supports the development of applications that are dependant on characteristics of high capacity broadband such as its ubiquitous nature and high bandwidth. Program funding of $5 million was made available for this round and 12 projects have been funded which will be implemented over the next 2 years.

BEIP Round 2 focuses on productivity with sub themes of regional Victoria, mobility and convergence. This round was launched in October 2011 and expressions of interest were due in November 2011. Successful projects will be announced mid 2012.

Website for further information:

http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/beip

Investing in Manufacturing Technology

The 2012 Victorian State Budget allocated $24.8 million over four years to deliver the Investing in Manufacturing Technology (IMT) program, which promotes the growth, productivity and competitiveness of manufacturing businesses by stimulating investment in new technologies.

The program will offer three funding rounds per year. The first funding round was opened on 18 June 2012 and closed on 20 July 2012. The second funding round is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Under the IMT program, grants of up to $250,000 are available on a competitive basis, for businesses with a manufacturing presence in Victoria seeking to purchase and integrate new technologies that will:

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  improve productivity and competitiveness;
  
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  strengthen capability; and
  
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  encourage wider and ongoing innovation.
  

Website for further information:

www.business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/investing-manufacturing

Collaborative Networks Pilot Program

The new Collaborative Networks Pilot Program is one of a suite of programs under development designed to bring together industry and research to support innovation and fast track the uptake of new technologies. It arose in response to OECD evidence that Australian SMEs and researchers have low levels of collaboration, with significant long term detrimental impact on productivity and competitiveness.

The Government has allocated $1.5 million over the next two years to pilot a number of models aimed at improving collaboration, innovation and technology transfer. Negotiations are underway to finalise scope and deliverables, with an announcement anticipated in September 2012.

Website for further information:

www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/programs/collaborative-networks-pilot-program

Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing

Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) is a not-for-profit company established to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of advanced manufacturing businesses by giving them access to leading expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies to help refine and test ideas, develop prototypes and take Victorian products to the world.

The Victorian Government has provided funding of $1.1 million in 2012 for VCAMM to deliver a range of activities to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to leverage research and development activities, and commercialise new technologies.

Originally formed as a collaboration between Monash University, CSIRO, Deakin University, La Trobe University and Swinburne University of Technology in 2002, VCAMM helps manufacturing firms access the Research community to develop new ideas, solve problems, find new markets and partners, incubate spin off companies and attract investment.

VCAMM has generated over $300 million in research activities for Victoria, (including the creation of two new CRC's) and created and incubated several start-up manufacturing enterprises now worth an estimated $100 million. VCAMM's activities have also created over 100 highly-skilled direct jobs and over 500 indirect jobs, funded over 20 PhD scholarships, and at any one time has over $20 million of projects underway.

VCAMM is a joint venture partner with Deakin University in the establishment of the Australian Carbon Fibre Research Facility (ACFRF), supported by the Victorian Government.

Website for further information:

www.vcamm.com.au

Industry Innovation Program - Supporting innovation links and collaboration

With support from the Victorian Government, the Industry Innovation Program (IIP) commenced operation in November 2011. IIP partners, Deakin University’s Geelong campus and Geelong’s leading industry body, the Geelong Manufacturing Council (GMC), aim to raise awareness and utilisation of the university’s research and its practical application to the manufacturing industry.

The program provides funding of $800,000 over four years for GMC to employ an Industry Innovation Manager (IIM) to work collaboratively with Deakin University and manufacturing businesses in the Geelong region. The IIM identifies, pursues and manages research partnerships between businesses and researchers which enable the practical application of research to improve manufacturing processes and practices.

Primary benefits of the program include:

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  developing strong connections between industry and the University, particularly the Geelong Technology Precinct (GTP);
  
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  providing businesses with greater access to new research and technologies;
  
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  enabling businesses to develop advanced capabilities needed to remain sustainable and competitive;
  
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  creating opportunities to apply research outcomes in practice; and
  
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  providing the opportunity for businesses to expand markets through access to Deakin University’s global industry linkages.
  

Benefits are yet to be realised as the program only commenced in November 2011. However, the program has already attracted substantial interest from local industry and the IIM is currently working with 10 companies on potential research partnership projects.

Public sector innovation

The Victorian Government recently established two strategic advisory committees: the Better Services Implementation Taskforce (BSIT), and the Victorian Information, Communication and Technologies Advisory Committee (VICTAC). The broad-based industry membership on both committees will ensure that government can take advantage of the innovations and lessons learned in other large enterprises, and from the ICT and services industry itself.

The Committee’s first tasks are to develop new government service and technology strategies which bring substantial benefits for citizens and the Victorian ICT industry, as well as for government itself. Strategies are due to be released for broader consultation toward the end of 2012.

The Victorian Government continues to leverage innovative social communications, tools and platforms to develop and provide a rich and diverse range of digital services, easily found at www.vic.gov.au/social-media.html and including recent releases:

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  MyShopRights app – provides instant advice on refund, warranty and lay-by rights.
  www.consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping/myshoprights-app
  
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  FireReady apps – real time bushfire information
  www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-and-incidents/cfa-on-your-mobile.htm
  

The Victorian Government data directory and top-level sites are being redeveloped and are scheduled for release in September and October 2012, respectively.