Mission-based research and enterprise

A message from Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Abid Khan

This month I am pleased to announce some initiatives to give bold impetus to mission-based research and enterprise aligned with Vision 2033.

Based internally through our faculties and Graduate Research School, these seed programs are catalysts for our external engagement and income through partnerships with key international and domestic industry, government, and universities. They are also outward driven in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the university and forging pathways to social impact through community-led research, translation and commercialisation.

Launching in late August, the programs are invested in the entire ACU community – our students and staff, our partners and precincts, and networks across our region and world. They are particularly aimed at developing our doctoral and early career researchers to nurture the next generation of leaders at ACU.

Vice-Chancellor’s Research Training Industry Partnership Program

ACU’s new industry training program will co-fund PhD cohorts with industry, community, Catholic and government partners. The program also offers professional development for staff and students in working with industry and includes a mobility opportunity with one of ACU’s strategic partners.

Partner To Impact

This program links ACU research teams with an industry, foundation, government and/or community partner. Priority will be given to interdisciplinary teams that are Indigenous or community-led with PhD and early career researcher involvement and can demonstrate a pathway to sustainability through external funding.

Entrepreneur Seed Fund

Run through ACU’s Enterprise Clinic, this program focuses on commercial projects seeking to increase their TRL level. It will also support social entrepreneurial activities through market analysis, proof-of-concept studies, prototyping development and testing, and integration into systems/environments.

Global Connect

Our flagship international program aims to progress an established relationship with an international partner (university, industry, and/or government) toward external funding. The program will prioritise PhD joint supervision and mobility and other activities that lead to funding from both Australian and offshore agencies.

Finally, the portfolio will establish a Near Miss Fund to strengthen ACU-led applications to Category 1 schemes that scored in the top 10 per cent of unsuccessful proposals and can also demonstrate pathways to alternative funding sources. A Major Program Research Seed Funding program will also be available following instruction from the DVCRE.

Applications will open late August and be received via Orion on a rolling basis until 8 December. Further information will be made available on Workplace and via Faculty Associate Deans of Research later this month.

We look forward to your innovative proposals and contributions to advancing ACU’s mission-based research and enterprise.