Partnering with Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs)

Win the funding your research deserves and amplify its impact.

We’re the people you need when you’re trying to please everyone.

You have a lot to juggle: governance, systems and processes, budgets, team attraction, stakeholder management, reporting requirements, and of course the reason you’re really here – to deliver excellent research that benefits industry and rend users. It’s easier with a trusted team by your side. We provide specialist support to CRC bid groups and established CRCs to give your collaborative research efforts the best chance of going on to solve the future’s most critical challenges.

Tailored strategy, support and solutions for research that matters.

We can support you at every stage of the CRC lifecycle: from bid strategy and industry engagement through to program design and capacity building. We draw on our deep understanding of the research and innovation environment, in all its complexities, to tailor solutions that meet your specific needs. It’s why Australia’s leading CRCs turn to us.

More bang for your research buck.

Australian research is world-class, but too often that’s where it stops: important research fails to be adopted. What’s missing is that critical link between research and funding – and that’s where we come in. We’ve helped emerging and established CRCs like yours deliver maximum value for funders, stakeholders and society.

Solutions:

R&D Impact

You don’t want your research to sit on a shelf and gather dust. The R&D Impact Studio works collaboratively with technical research teams to co-design and co-implement projects that deliver real-world outcomes. With award-winning tools and a focus on commercial, market, and supply chain considerations, we help ensure your work meets the needs of industry and funding partners—and is ready for the next stage of investment.

Monitoring and Evaluation

We design M&E systems that move beyond outputs to clearly define and measure outcomes and impact. Our systems-thinking approach supports CRCs at every level—from project to portfolio—using practical, cost-effective tools and data collection methods. With experience in mid-term reviews, ex-ante and ex-post evaluations, and lessons learned integration, we help ensure your CRC delivers lasting value, not just activity.

R&D Strategy and Operations

A strong CRC needs more than a successful bid—it needs the right systems, strategy, and decision-making to deliver real-world impact. We help boards and leadership teams co-design R&D strategies that align with global ISO innovation management standards and ensure effective project selection and implementation. From policy and procedures to operations roadmaps, we support CRCs to start strong, engage stakeholders, and stay focused on outcomes that matter.

Stakeholder Engagement

Effective CRCs are built on strong partnerships. We bring the right voices into the room through co-design processes that foster open dialogue and align the needs of industry and research. With a deep understanding of private, public and research needs, we help you shape projects and programs that reflect shared value—and set the foundation for long-term collaboration and impact.

Team Skills Development

Innovation is powered by people, and we’re here to bring out the best in yours. With over 40 R&D and innovation management modules, we deliver practical, tailored training that strengthens team effectiveness and builds capacity across your organisation. From training early and mid-career researchers to mentoring PhD students for research impact, our programs are designed to meet real-world needs. Grounded in adult learning principles and aligned with international best practice, our training is engaging, effective, and backed by global innovation management standards. To ensure lasting impact, we also offer mentoring support to help teams apply what they’ve learned in practice.