Round 12 CRCs announced.

The Minsiter for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, has announced the successful CRCs of Selection Round 12. Seven Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) have received Commonwealth Government funding of $130m to address high priorities in biotechnology, mining and remote community economics.

The successful CRCs are:

• CRC for Advanced Composite Structures ($14 million): will connect Australian small and medium enterprises in manufacturing, materials supply and engineering to international value chains.


• CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset Management ($12 million): to increase the availability, productivity and useful life of defence assets (including combat aircraft and ships), and of railways and power and water utilities.


• CRC for Environmental Biotechnology ($4 million): to commercialise biotechnologies that use natural biological systems to transform waste into useful products and green energy, and rapid microbial monitoring platforms.


• CRC for Optimising Resource Extraction ($17.5 million): to transform mineral deposit evaluation and extraction, to significantly enlarge Australia’s mineral resource and generate a more sustainable mining industry.


• CRC for Remote Economic Participation ($32.5 million): to support the Government’s commitment to close the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage and develop economically sustainable communities in remote areas.


• Wound Management Innovation CRC ($28 million): to improve wound healing and quality of life for people with wounds, and provide cost-effective wound care that lessens burdens on our healthcare system.


• Vision CRC ($22 million): to deliver revolutionary vision care treatments and products for sufferers of eye problems like myopia and cataracts.

The Minister has also opened the 2010 Cooperative Research Centres Program Selection Round. The 13th Selection Round will have a key focus on manufacturing and social innovation. The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research will conduct information sessions around the country in February/ March 2010. Applications are due by Friday 2 July 2010.

For more details about the new CRCs download the official media release here.