R&D
INFO, July 31, 2003
SUMMARY
NEWS ALERTS
1.
VICTORIAN DRAFT INNOVATION AUDIT RELEASED
2. STATES PLAN TROPICAL SCIENCE AGREEMENT
3. NT GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS TROPICAL KNOWLEDGE STRATEGY
4. QUEENSLAND R&D POLICY UNDER DEVELOPMENT
5. PLANS FOR WA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
GRANTS
6.
INNOVATION ACCESS PROGRAM - INDUSTRY: Funding now available
7. BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FUND: Round 5 now open
COMMERCIALISATION COURSES
8.
STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION
9. MASTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION (MSTC)
SEMINARS
10.
DON'T GIVE AWAY YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET - Free Intellectual Property Seminars
11. SEMINAR FOR VICTORIAN PROPONENTS FOR THE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH
CENTRES PROGRAM
BUSINESS
SERVICES
12. SPRUSON&FERGUSON INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY SERVICES
NEWS ALERTS
1. VICTORIAN DRAFT INNOVATION
AUDIT RELEASED
The Victorian Innovation Economy Advisory Board has released a draft audit, Victoria as an Innovation Economy, which sets out a range of indicators of Victoria's innovation performance compared with Australia in general and OECD economies.
The indicators include education levels, expenditure by business and government on R&D, broadband penetration, enterprise formation and business growth, exports and business environment.
The
audit, which is being prepared jointly by the Board and the Department of Innovation,
Industry and Regional Development, will be finalized early next year, and it
may lead to recommendations to government by the Board. Its findings are also
likely to be used in other projects of the Board, and in particular a project
entitled Growth Industries of the Future which will commence later this year
and will identify growth industries of the future, Victoria's prospects, the
nature and extent of gaps to be overcome and the implications for policy.
2. STATES PLAN TROPICAL SCIENCE AGREEMENT
The Western Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland Governments are currently negotiating the terms of a proposed Co-operative Framework on Tropical Science, Knowledge and Innovation to promote Northern Australia's existing and emerging strengths in Tropical Science.
The Cooperative Framework will cover the sharing of expertise, knowledge and, to some extent, research infrastructure, and will promote tropical science, knowledge and innovation for the whole of northern Australia rather than on a state basis.
Plans
are being developed for a tropical knowledge symposium to be held in late February
to develop the future of the Framework, and it is likely that ministers from
the three states will signed the Cooperative Framework agreement at that event.
3. NT GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS TROPICAL KNOWLEDGE STRATEGY
The
Northern Territory Government is currently considering a Tropical Knowledge
Strategy which has been developed by the Office of Territory Development over
the past 10 months following the release in October of a Tropical Knowledge
and Economic Development discussion paper. The aim of the Strategy is to establish
Darwin as an international focus of tropical knowledge excellence, capturing
benefits from the high quality tropical knowledge created by the Territory's
institutions, businesses and entrepreneurs.
4. QUEENSLAND R&D POLICY UNDER DEVELOPMENT
The Queensland Department of Innovation and Information Economy is working with other State Government departments to develop a more detailed R&D policy and implementation plan, which will include funding principles and processes for review, reporting and performance management.
It is anticipated that the policy and implementation plan will be developed by the end of September 2003 and submitted to Cabinet for approval. It will build on the Queensland R&D Priorities announced in April, which include Enabling Technologies, Environmentally Sustainable Queensland, Foods for the Future, Safeguarding Queensland, Sustainable Health and Tropical Futures. The Queensland Research and Development Priorities apply to research conducted by Queensland Government agencies as well as the allocation of Government funding to external R&D organisations.
5. PLANS FOR WA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The Western Australian Government has announced plans for a new institute to consolidate agriculture, food and natural resources research undertaken by the WA Department of Agriculture and the State's three major universities.
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance said that funding of $26million earmarked for the 2003-04 to 2005-06 State Budgets to redevelop or relocate the Department's South Perth headquarters would provide an opportunity to develop new infrastructure, preferably integrated with existing University research facilities.
A
steering committee has been established under the chairmanship of the chief
scientist, Dr Bruce Hobbs, to develop an implementation plan for the institute.
The committee comprises nominees of Curtin University of Technology, Murdoch
University, the University of Western Australia, the Grains Research and Development
Corporation and the Department of Agriculture.
GRANTS
6. INNOVATION ACCESS PROGRAM - Industry: Funding
now available
The Innovation Access Program - Industry provides Australian Government grants for industry led projects that adopt the take-up of technologies and best practice processes to enhance the competitiveness of Australian companies. This can include grants for international specialist visits to Australia, technology access workshops, and demonstration and awareness projects.
Private sector companies, industry groups, universities, Cooperative Research Centres, training institutions, Commonwealth scientific research agencies and training institutions are all eligible for funding.
Since its launch in July 2002, the Australian Government has already provided $5.3 million to support 22 projects under the program.
The current round of funding closes on 5 September 2003.
AusIndustry provides Australian Government assistance to support Australian business innovation, investment and international competitiveness.
AusIndustry delivers about 25 products worth around $1.7 billion to some 9000 customers every year around Australia.
For more information and to obtain application forms, visit http://www.ausindustry.gov.au (under 'AusIndustry products') or call the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.
7. BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FUND: Round 5 now open
The Biotechnology Innovation Fund aims to increase the rate of commercialisation of Australian biotechnology ventures by reducing the cost of demonstrating 'proof of concept' for new biotech initiatives. Australian Government grants of up to $250,000 are available to eligible firms on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Applications for funding under the fifth round close on 4 September 2003.
AusIndustry provides Australian Government assistance to support Australian business innovation, investment and international competitiveness.
AusIndustry delivers about 25 products worth around $1.7 billion to some 9000 customers every year around Australia.
For more information and to obtain application forms, visit http://www.ausindustry.gov.au (under 'AusIndustry products') or call the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.
COMMERCIALISATION COURSES
8. STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION
Melbourne University and The Australian Institute for Commercialisation offer a five day intensive course in Strategic Business Planning for Technology Commercialisation.
* Learn how to commercialise new technologies, products and services
* Find out how to secure finance
* Polish your business planning and strategic skills
And if you apply your skills to the completion of a technology commercialisation plan for your business, you can get an accredited award at the same time.
If your role is to commercialise technology we want to hear from you.
Dates:
Mon 29th September - Fri 3rd October 2003
Cost: $3,200 (+ GST) of $4,000 for the award course (GST does not apply)
Location: University of Melbourne, Parkville
Contact: Gemma Lane
(03) 9810 3174 or g.lane@muprivate.edu.au
http://www.muprivate.edu.au/commercialise
9. MASTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION
(MSTC)
Are you interested in the business of science?
Would you like to develop your commercialisation skills with an internationally recognised Masters Degree delivered by The University of Adelaide?
If so, come and listen to Academic Director Antonio Dottore and past/present participants of the MSTC at our information evening.
When:
Tuesday 26th August 5:45pm Registration - 8pm Finish
Where: Centre for Innovation and Technology Commercialisation, 257 Collins Street,
Melbourne
What: Outline of programs from the Education Centre for Innovation and Commercialisation
including:
*
Master of Science and Technology Commercialisation
* Master of Entrepreneurship
* Master of Project Management
* PhD Programs
Presentation by MSTC Graduate Dr Darren Cundy (Commercial Advisor - Corporate Group: CSIRO)on his experiences during a 12 month secondment to a Venture Capital firm to faciliate linkages between the investment community and the CSIRO.
Our programs offer:
*
Participation in programs with other high calibre mid to senior professionals
* flexible delivery including on-line options
* International Project options
* Leading Faculty drawn from around Australia and Overseas
* Enrol now in Terms 3/4 2003
Refreshments and light snacks provided.
To rsvp or request a brochure please contact Sue Eaton by the 21st of August by emailing susan.eaton@adelaide.edu.au
Visit our website at http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au for further details.
SEMINARS
10. DON'T GIVE AWAY YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET - Free Intellectual Property Seminars
August 2003
Intellectual property (IP) is the result of your hard work and research - it can be an invention, design or the practical application of a good idea. IP can be financially valuable for you and your university, but it's easy for this value not to be fully realised.
To help increase your understanding of this critical issue for tertiary based researchers and staff, IP Australia and leading IP experts, in association with over 30 universities will present a series of free seminars addressing topics such as:
* How to protect your research before publishing,
* The process for protecting patents, trademarks and designs,
* IP management - options for capitalising on IP,
* Critical considerations in the university environment,
* Case studies based on the experiences of other researchers,
* Where to go for advice and information.
These seminars are specifically targeted at people who work in a university, or in a tertiary research capacity.
IP Australia is the Commonwealth Government Agency responsible for administration of patents, trademarks and designs.
For dates, venues times and program details, contact your university's commercial arm or IP officer, or visit http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
11. SEMINAR FOR VICTORIAN PROPONENTS FOR THE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRES PROGRAM
August 26
The Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development is holding an information session for Victorian industry and research providers on the requirements of the 2004 round of the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) Program.
The seminar will be held on 26 August. The session is designed for industry and/or research groups considering making a CRC submission in the next round.
Further seminar details are available at
http://www.innovation.vic.gov.au/programs/program.asp?id=29.
BUSINESS SERVICES
12. 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
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See
also:
R&D Review