[Insert Name]

Research and Development Branch

Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

Commitment to Smart State vision

• Smart State Strategy 3

• Moving from “Bricks to Brains”

• Building on the past 10 years

– Critical mass of infrastructure

– Connectivity of researchers and industry

• Trebling of investment in people Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland

Outcomes• Existing industries smarter

• bioplastics from sugar cane, fibre composites in aircraft

• Smart industries bigger• Environmental services,

tropical, aerospace & aviation

• Tangible benefits for regions• 85% of past decade’s

productivity improvements in agriculture driven by R&D

• Engaged Communities

–Emerging centre for aerospace and aviation

Smart Futures Fund (2008-2012)

• $2 million for R&D Forums and Technology Clinics to provide

industry solutions

• $60 million for the Innovation Project Fund to support

collaborations between researchers and industry research

partnerships

• $20 million for the Innovation Skills Fund to attract and retain the

brightest minds in science and industry

R&D Forums To enhance regional industry and research collaborations

and to increase number of high quality regional applications for Smart Futures Fund

Tech ClinicsTo facilitate industry’s access to innovative and technical solutions in order to improve productivity of priority industry sectors and to maximise market options

Priority Issues for this Round

Departmental Sectors

Targeted Targeted PrioritiesPriorities

•Advanced Manufacturing

•Aviation & Aerospace

•Alternative Fuels and Technologies

•Biotechnology, Therapeutic Medicines and Devices

•Creative Industries

•Environmental Technologies and Emerging industries

•Information and Communication Technologies

•Marine and Fibre Composites

•Tourism, Food Industry and Wine Development

• Supporting research, commercialisation and export of Qld tropical expertise

• Supporting climate change adaptation and/or mitigation, and renewable energy.

• Building social science capabilities aligned to the Toward Q2, Tomorrow’s Queensland priorities.Job

Creation

Overview – Skills Fund

– Premiers Fellowshipbuilding research leadership $1.25 million over five years

– Smart Futures Fellowshipsbuilding critical mass of internationally recognised researchers Level 1: up to $300,000 over three yearsLevel 2: up to $150,000 over three years

– Commercialisation Fellowships Researchers-in-Residence FellowshipsUp to $100,000/year for six to 24 months

– Commercialisation Fellowships Entrepreneurs-in-Residence FellowshipsUp to $100,000/year for three to 18 months

– NEW Commercialisation FellowshipsInnovation Investment Exchange Fellowships Up to $45,000 for 12 to 30 weeks

– PhD Scholarshipsbuilding foundations of a sustainable innovative research community $24,000 over 3 years

General Info – Skills Fund

• CV’s will NOT be requested for any Skills grant program.

• Maximum word limits will be recommended for all SF applications, and enforced on some forms.

Smart Futures Premier’s Fellowships & Smart Futures Fellowships• Applicants must apply for the full amount of funding.• Applicants who have previously received a:

– Smart State Premier’s Fellowship– Smart Futures Premier’s Fellowship– Smart State Fellowship, or a– Smart State Futures Fellowship

cannot apply for another at the same level – but can apply for one at a higher level.

Researchers-in-Residence

• Applicants with proven track record in research and business interactions

• Applicants must complete a milestone table outlining their fellowship activities.

• Placements lead to more R&D uptake by business• Placements increase collaborative projects between

research institutes & business• SME or consortium of SME’s to sponsor• Now 6 months - 24 months (was 3 to12 months)

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence

• Commercialisation experience, proven track record• Placement will increase commercialisation of

Queensland research• Applicants must complete a milestone table outlining

their fellowship activities.• Placement will increase collaboration between

business & research institutes• Research body sponsor funding $:$• Now 3 - 18 months (was 3 to 36 months)

Smart Futures Commercialisation Fellowships – Innovation Investment Exchange (IIE)

New program - the IIE Fellowships will be offered for 12 to 30 weeks.

– Description – for Queensland based venture capital fund managers to engage in exchange programs with overseas venture capital firms.

– Key objective – to strengthen Queensland links with the international investment community.

Smart Futures PhD ScholarshipsNew condition • $8000/yr for three years; optional $2,000 bonus.(previously scheme was for $7,000/yr with optional $1,500 bonus)

• Scholars must hold one of the following approved PhD research scholarships:– Australian Postgraduate Scholarship (APA)– Australian Catholic University Postgraduate Award– Bond University Postgraduate Award– Central Queensland University Postgraduate Research Award– Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship– James Cook University Postgraduate Research Scholarship– QUT Postgraduate Research Scholarship– University of Queensland Research Scholarship– University of Southern Queensland Postgraduate Research Scholarship – University of the Sunshine Coast Research Scholarship

Overview – Projects Fund– National and International Research Alliances Program (NIRAP)

increase national and international research collaborationsUp to $2 million over 3 years

– Research-Industry Partnerships Program (RIPP) increase company and research collaborations for technology transfer and increased commercial application of R&D Up to $1 million over 3 years

– Partnerships Alliances Facilitation Program (PAFP) assist with the costs of establishing collaborative projects between Queensland, national and international entitiesUp to $50,000 over one year on submission of grant application

– Proof of Concept Fund (Project-based)assist researchers or companies to demonstrate the commercial potential of their ideas Up to $50,000 over 1 year

– Proof of Concept Fund (Program-based) – Qld-based universities onlyassist universities to fund researchers/companies to demonstrate the commercial potential of their ideas Funding allocated on a case-by-case basis

General Info – Smart Futures Fund 2009-10• All Project applications are now in Adobe PDF

format.

• University applications must be signed off by the DVC. Applications not signed off correctly will not be accepted.

• Project start dates should allow time for assessment and approval processes.

National and International Research Alliances Program (NIRAP)

• Up to $2 million over three years

• An addition to the guidelines advises that contract research is not eligible as a collaborative relationship.

Research-Industry Partnerships Program (RIPP)

• Up to $1 million over three years

• The industry partner(s) must now contribute a 25% minimum of the required cash match to the project. (This is an eligibility requirement.)

• An addition to the guidelines advises that contract research is not eligible as a collaborative relationship.

Partnerships-Alliances Facilitation Program (PAFP)• Maximum funding award is now $50K• Max. payable to consultants = $20K• Funding can be claimed ONLY from the date

of letter of offer – NOT date of application• The application form, once countersigned by

the Dept, will become the financial assistance agreement for the project.

Proof of Concept Fund

• Program-based (closed till 2010/11)– Queensland based universities only.

• Project-based – Up to $50K over one year – Open all Year– companies and universities not receiving Program-

based funding• Consider:

– Innovation, benefits, market opportunities, competitors, IP position, access to expertise and infrastructure

Key issues to consider• Merit-based selection

• Collaborative partner mix: capability, capacity and partner commitment

• Queensland lead applicant

• Partners - Research and Industry

• Benefits/impacts to Queensland: – Economic / Environmental / Social

• Priorities : aligns with “Toward Q2, Tomorrows Queensland”, 3 priorities, jobs creation

• ABN, registered for GST

• Cash matching $:$

Definition of Cash • Matching Cash Contribution comprises:

– Cash– Salary Costs of Dedicated Researchers

(declarations to be provided)– Contract research is not eligible as salary costs

Note: Salary costs include salaries of direct employees + salary on-costs (i.e. superannuation, leave loading, annual and sick leave).

Definition of In-Kind

• In-Kind contributions are resources other than the matched cash contribution that will be applied to the project

• May include equipment and facilities, databases and additional administrative/ managerial support

• Does not include physical infrastructure such as buildings and general IT networks

Key Issues to Address• Research significance/Unique projects

(Innovation)

• Demonstrate need

• Project management team, sponsors

• Deliver net economic/social and environmental benefit

• Leverage other funds

• Committed investment

• Commercialisation strategies

Long-Term Long-Term SustainabilitySustainability

Application Tips- Part 1• Make sure you are familiar with the

– application process

– application guidelines

• Use plain English and avoid technical jargon

• Ensure that the project title and summary are clear and easy to understand

• Outline the likely outcomes of the project and the benefits to the Queensland economy

• Ensure that the budget is complete and accurate

• Provide all requested attachments

Application Tips – Part 2

• Discuss the:– Innovation– Value Proposition– Net Economic /Social and Environmental Benefit –

support your claims– Project Management team capabilities– Access to infrastructure and/or capital– Viability (Strengths & Weaknesses)

Application Tips – Part 3• Key Financials:

– Where is the money being spent?• Activities• How resources are to be used• ROI

• Consider:– recipients will be expected to have appropriate agreements

with their• collaborative partners, to formalise arrangements for

disbursement of funding (MOU) – template on website• clarify issues such as intellectual property rights.• This document is separate to the Financial Assistance

Agreement

Assessment Process• Independent expert panels will assess

– Scientific & technological merit

– Economic, social and environmental impact

• Government assessors– Towards Q2 and Priorities

– Economic & Financial and Social impact

– Due diligence

• Assessment timeframe- If successful - a formal offer of financial assistance

- Next step: Acceptance – sign formal agreement within three weeks of receipt of

the offer

- Agreement not signed within timeframe - offer will lapse

What success means

• Growing collaboration in Queensland’s regions

• Advancing Queensland’s industries and knowledge base

• Increasing Queensland’s industry innovation capability

• Addressing Queensland’s Priority Sectors with enabling technologies

• Drive Job Creation and increase employment and workforce participation across Queensland

–EcoSciences Precinct (artist’s impression)

Qld’s Future

Current Closing Dates

• Project Funds– 2:00pm on 5 November 2009

• Skills Funds– 2:00pm on 5 November 2009– Excluding Smart Futures PhD

Scholarship, closing 2:00pm on 15 October 2009

Further Information

Research and Development Branch

randd.advisory@dtrdi.qld.gov.au

(07) 3227 7211

www.industry.qld.gov.au/smartfuturesfund