Industry, science and resources portfolio

Part C: Agency Budget Statements — ISR

Innovation Access Program Expense ($m)

2001-02		2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
Department of Industry,
Science and Resources	-	16.6	19.2	24.3
Department of Communication,
Information Technology and the
Arts	1.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
TOTAL	1.0	19.6	22.2	27.3

Explanation

The Government will provide $100.0m over 5 years to fund the Innovation Access Program. The Innovation Access Program will increase access by Australian researchers and firms to global research and technologies.

The Program will support a range of collaborative projects including assisting Australian industry to increase access to new technologies; support for strategic leading-edge collaborative science, engineering and technology activities under Australia’s international S&T Agreements and cooperation programs; strategic demonstration of Australian science, engineering and technology internationally and the extension of the IT Online program.

See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability - Innovation Access Program in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Pre-Seed Fund

Expense ($m)

2001-02		2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
Department of Industry,	6.4	16.9	21.8	21.8
Science and Resources

Explanation

The Government has decided to establish a pre-seed fund of $78.7m over 5 years. The fund will address the gap between research outcomes and commercial investment. It is designed to take new technologies or business proposals to a level whereby venture capitalists are willing to invest in the seed phase of commercialisation.

The pre-seed fund will be managed by private sector fund managers with commercial experience in developing young firms. Assistance through this fund will be open to universities and Government research agencies.

Part C: Agency Budget Statements — ISR
World Class Centres of Excellence
Expense ($m)
Department of Industry, Science and Resources Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts TOTAL	2001-02 1.5 4.5 6.0	2002-03 3.8 8.8 12.6	2003-04 5.0 12.0 17.0	2004-05 6.2 17.7 23.9

Explanation

The Government will provide $91.0m over 5 years to create World-Class Centres of Excellence in research, with an additional $85.0m to be provided through the ARC Competitive Grants in the years 2002-03 to 2005-06. The Centres will be in the information and communication technologies and biotechnology fields.

The Centres will foster excellence by building a critical mass in research expertise and resources and by generating networks to existing research organisations and industry. The Centres will recruit Australian and overseas research leaders and over time are expected to attract substantial investment from other sources, including private sector investment.

They will involve collaboration and resource contributions from research institutions, multinational firms and Australian companies. Two expert panels will be set up to consider bids in terms of their quality of research and linkages with business. In the case of biotechnology, the selection process will also involve the Ministerial Council on Biotechnology on advice from the expert panel.

Further Information

The World Class Centres of Excellence complements the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Program and Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Centre Program. See also the related expense measure titled Expansion of the Cooperative Research Centres Program.

See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability - World Class Centres of Excellence in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Major National Research Facilities Expense ($m)

2001-02		2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
Department of Industry,	5.0	20.0	30.0	50.0
Science and Resources

Explanation

The Government will fund a new Major National Research Facilities program totalling $155.0m over 5 years, to replace the current program.

The new Major National Research Facilities program is an investment by the Commonwealth in national research infrastructure in partnership with State and Territory governments, universities, research agencies in the public and private sectors, individuals, industry and other Commonwealth agencies. It is expected to provide better access for Australian researchers to world-class, specialised facilities, as well as attract overseas researchers and firms to Australia. The program will invite proposals on a competitive basis and will target the establishment of new and enhancement of existing research facilities. Proposals with total eligible costs (ie capital and/or operating) in excess of $5m, with capital costs subject to a maximum limit of $60m, will be considered for funding. The Commonwealth will contribute up to 50% of the eligible costs, with the balance provided by participant organisations.

Further Information

The new Major National Research Facilities will complement the Project Infrastructure Funding.

The current program was due to lapse in June 2001.

The current program provides funding for seven facilities, including the Australian Genome Research Facility which supports genetic and biotechnology research and Airborne Research Australia which supports a range of environmental studies such as air, water and soil quality.