Hallmark Editions

CSIRO has released its Strategic Plan for the next four years, identifying six strategic goals for the period and setting the scene for a period of `tough decisions' in implementing them.

The Strategic Plan is described as one of four `episodes' leading towards the corporate vision for 2012 of becoming 'a research enterprise with global reach'.

Details of how the strategic plan will be implemented will be set out in operational plans to be completed before the beginning of each financial year. These will consist of four groups of plans: Individual Flagships; the Emerging Science Initiative; Priority-driven Research (Divisions), and CSIRO-wide Support (Corporate Groups).
The CSIRO Strategic Plan is available at http://www.csiro.au

2. NHMRC FUNDING TO BE REVIEWED

Funding provided through the National Health and Medical Reseach Council's (NHMRC) is to be the subject of a review to be completed by March next year.

The review will be led by John Grant, chairman of listed biotechnology companies, Biota Ltd and Ambri Ltd. It will investigate the impact of additional funding through the NHMRC following the commitment by the Federal Government in its 1999 budget to double the base level of research funding for the NHMRC by 2004-05 with an additional $614 million over the five year period. Peter Wills, who chaired the 1998 Wills Review, has been appointed Strategic Adviser to the Investment Review. Other members of the panel have yet to be announced

A preliminary report on the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the current funding in meeting objectives and responding to changed priorities and emerging issues will be provided by 30 November 2003 with a final report by 1 February 2004.

3. NATIONAL HYDROGEN STUDY RELEASED

The report of the National Hydrogen Study, commissioned by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, has concluded that the development of hydrogen as an energy resource is likely to offer Australia a large number of opportunities.

The report, prepared by ACIL Tasman and Parsons Brinckerhoff, recommended that a national vision be developed and that an Australian Hydrogen Group be formed, with funding support for a secretariat from the Federal Government, to assist driving the hydrogen agenda and the implementation of agreed recommendations. It noted that CSIRO's proposal for a National Hydrogen Centre may be able to deliver some or all of the tasks that the study team identified as being within the remit of the Australian Hydrogen Group.

The report is available at http://www.industry.gov.au, `What's New'

4. NSW REVIEW OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH RESEARCH

A review of medical and health research in NSW, initiated by the New South Wales Government, is to be completed by the end of the year. The review is being conducted by a panel comprising Professor Judith Whitworth, Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University; Greg Wood, former diplomat and member of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; and Dr George Morstyn, former head of clinical research at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Medicine and former Senior Vice President of Development and Chief Medical Officer of the US biotechnology company Amgen.

The review will recommend priorities for NSW Government expenditure; how to better utilise the strengths and overcome any weaknesses inherent in the NSW research environment; how to optimise funding in NSW; and future directions for its development. More information is at
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/rad/research-review/

5. SA SUSTAINABILITY ROUNDTABLE TO BE APPOINTED

The South Australian Government is to appoint a Sustainability Roundtable, to be chaired by the Director of the SA Museum, Dr Tim Flannery.

The Roundtable will operate alongside the Economic Development Board, chaired by Robert Champion de Crespigny and the Social Inclusion Board, chaired by Reverend Father David Cappo, to guide the state in developing its `triple bottom line' strategies across all areas of the economy. The SA Government has advertised for expressions of interest in serving on the Roundtable.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

6. NATIONAL INNOVATION AWARENESS STRATEGY GRANTS

Australian Government, Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources

The National Innovation Awareness Strategy (NIAS) aims to raise awareness and/or demonstrate the importance and role of innovation and entrepreneurship to the Australian economy. Applications are invited for the 2003/04 competitive grants round of the program for projects that meet this objective. The target audiences for this round are small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and young Australians.

Individuals or groups wishing to submit an application should request an information package from the e-mail address or contact number below. Applications must address the criteria contained in the package.

Preference will be given to applications for awareness raising projects that have an Australia-wide impact. Multiple year projects will be considered. Please note these grants are only available for projects within Australia. It is expected that a decision will be made on successful projects six weeks from the closing date.

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is close of business, Friday 7 November, 2003

Contact for information, guidelines and application forms:
Telephone (02) 6213 6566
Email nias@industry.gov.au
Website http://www.industry.gov.au

CONFERENCES

7. THE FIFTH CONFERENCE ON NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING IN AUSTRALIA (ANA 2003)

The Fifth Conference on Nuclear Science and Engineering in Australia (ANA 2003) will be hosted by the Australian Nuclear Association at Rydges Lakeside Hotel, Canberra, ACT, on 5 and 6 November 2003.

Mr Peter McGauran, Minister for Science, will open the conference at 10am on Wednesday, 5 November 2003. Dr Robin Batterham, Chief Scientist, will be the General Chairman and chair the sessions on 5 and 6 November.

Nineteen invited experts from government, industry and universities will provide a unique overview of all of the important nuclear issues in Australia.
eg.
* Nuclear research;
* The Replacement Research Reactor;
* Australian uranium resources;
* Radioactive waste management, including the National Repository;
* Radiation protection, nuclear safety and the NPT;
* Nuclear power developments in the Asia/Pacific;
* Small and medium nuclear reactors suitable for Australia; and
* The Hydrogen Economy and the contribution of Nuclear Power.

There will also be 25 contributed poster papers and a technical exhibition.
Texts of the papers will be provided at the start of the conference.

Further information including Final Program and Registration Fees ($600 for two days) can be obtained from: Mrs Margaret Lanigan, Conference Manager, PO Box 733, Mosman, NSW 2088.
Tel: 02.9960.3603; Fax. 02.9969.9721; email:cjhardy@ozemail.com.au

8. 41st ANZSES CONFERENCE: DESTINATION RENEWABLES - from research to market

Update your knowledge on the latest research, demonstrations and applications.

Want to engage in the debate? We give fossil fuel bridging technologies some air-time!

Revitalise your networks ? There could be no better place than in Melbourne!

Come to get the answers to your questions:
* Where can you put 1000MW of wind in Victoria?
* How do you make planning regulations work for sustainable energy applications?
* How can renewable energy contribute to sustainable development?
* Is CO2 sequestration a real greenhouse abatement option or another shimmering mirage?

The 2003 ANZSES conference will focus on overcoming technical and non-technical barriers to renewable energy applications, consider fossil fuel bridging technologies, and identify how to encourage wide scale uptake of green power in the community.

Your attendance at the conference will be rewarded with volumes of technically sound and market-based information.

Oh, and don't miss out on the great conference dinner we have planned!
The 'Voyager' is waiting for you.

Muriel Watt, ANZSES National Chair

The 41st ANZSES Conference at The University of Melbourne, Victoria
DESTINATION RENEWABLES - from research to market
26th-29th of November 2003
http://www.destinationrenewables.com.au
To Register Contact Bronwen Hewitt:
bhewitt@unimelb.edu.au

SHORT COURSE

9. STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION

YOU HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY......
BUT CAN YOU TAKE IT TO MARKET SUCCESSFULLY?

Melbourne University Private and the Australian Institute for Commercialisation offer a five-day intensive course in Strategic Business Planning for Technology Commercialisation.

* Learn how to commercialise new products and services
* Find out how to secure finance
* Polish your business planning and strategic skills

If you apply your skill to the completion of a commercialisation plan for your business, you can gain an accredited award at the same time.

It's an intensive experience that will challenge your knowledge of the technology commercialisation process, involve you in some hands-on learning and teamwork and give you skills and self-awareness that will apply immediately to your work situation.

Here's what some of the participants have said:

"I liked being able to see a bigger picture and how things link together"
"It puts business frameworks into the technology commercialisation space"
"I would recommend this course absolutely... the content is superb and of immediate relevance"

Next delivery dates are:
* Brisbane - December 8th to 12th 2003
* Melbourne - February 16th to 20th 2004

The cost for the intensive program is $3200 + GST
For more information go to http://www.muprivate.edu.au/commercialise. or contact Gemma Lane, 03 9810 3174 g.lane@muprivate.edu.au.

FURTHER EDUCATION

10. MASTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION (MSTC)

INFORMATION EVENINGS IN PERTH, BRISBANE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE

A common theme throughout the presentations at the BHERT Conference in August and at Ausbiotech 2003 was the need to develop business skills amongst our engineering and science professionals.

Well, at the ECIC, we offer on-campus/distance postgraduate programs, from Graduate Certificate to Masters level, in:
* Science & Technology Commercialisation
* Project Management
* Entrepreneurship

The ECIC is a unit of the University of Adelaide - also with a campus in Sydney. You are invited to the ECIC's Information Evenings on at:

Perth: Thursday, 6 November 2003 at 5:45pm.
This event will be held at Technology Park, in Bentley, Perth, and we are pleased to announce there will also be a presentation by Dennis Graesslin, General Manger, Innovation Technology & Incentives Group, for KPMG and current MSTC participant:

From Thought to Profit: An Advisor's Role

Sydney: 19 November 2003 at 6pm

Brisbane: 20 November 2003 at 5:45pm

Adelaide: 29 October 2003 at 5:45pm

Check the website for details:
http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/ne/calendar/index.html

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP is essential, please send your registration details to: sarah.goodmanjones@adelaide.edu.au
Or phone Sarah (Sydney): (02) 9209 4115
Kerry (Adelaide): (08) 8303 7516
for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS

11. CRC FOR PLANT-BASED MANAGEMENT OF DRYLAND SALINITY

TEN full postgraduate research scholarships of three years' duration to the value of $25,000 per annum will be awarded for study commencing in 2004 together with supplementary CRC scholarships for candidates awarded Australian Postgraduate Awards or University Postgraduate Awards.

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity is currently recruiting future leaders in Natural Resource Management and invites 'Expressions of Interest' for 2004 Postgraduate Research Scholarships.

Successful candidates are expected to have applied for Australian or University Postgraduate Awards in the first instance to qualify for one of the full CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity Scholarships. Applications for Australian Postgraduate Awards and University Postgraduate

Awards close on Friday 31 October 2003.

Further information on topics can be obtained from http://www.crcsalinity.com or contact Daryll Richardson - Email: drichardson@csu.edu.au

FUNDING FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION

12. AUSTRALIAN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INVESTMENT & COMMERCIALISATION (ASRIC)

ASRIC are looking to select the next round of technologies for commercialisation.

Technologies must:

* Expect to commence revenue generation within 18 months.
* Require no more than $2.5m for commercialisation.
* Have a unique and protectable technology with global opportunities.

If you would like to work with a successful team of entrepreneurs to create value commercialising your technology, email duncan@asric.com.au with a two page outline of your technology.
Expressions of Interest close 30th of November 2003.
http://www.asric.com.au

BUSINESS SERVICES

13. SPRUSON&FERGUSON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES

Spruson&Ferguson is a leading Australian patent and trade mark attorney firm with more than 110 years' experience in intellectual property protection and enforcement worldwide.

We understand how to advance your intellectual property assets. With over 60 professional staff in our Sydney office, our depth and breadth of industry and academic experience covers all technologies and IP legal issues.

We offer the full scope of IP services including patent drafting, litigation, franchising, licensing, and IP management.

If you need guidance in protecting your IP assets or advice on how to capitalise on these assets, call one of the below Principals on (02) 9207 0777 and arrange a free initial consultation.

Electrical technologies: Robert Miller, robert.miller@sprusons.com.au
Biotechnology: Dr Andrew Blattman, andrew.blattman@sprusons.com.au
Chemical technologies: John McCann, john.mccann@sprusons.com.au
Mechanical technologies: Greg Turner, greg.turner@sprusons.com.au
Medical technologies: Ryan Curnick, ryan.curnick@sprusons.com.au
Trade marks: Annette Freeman, annette.freeman@sprusons.com.au