Evaluating Global Information Access and Requirements of Cooperative Research Centres in Australia

Abstract

In 1990 the Australian Commonwealth Government launched the Cooperative Research Centres Program This radical step in science funding was in recognition of the importance of cooperative ventures between business enterprise and scientific research. Centres are set up within existing organizations. The government contributes 135 million Australian dollars per year to the centres. Participating organizations contribute cash or kind towards 50% of running costs. Centres must be made up of varying types of participants including Universities, private research establishments, Government institutes and business partners. Centres are selected by a lengthy competitive process. At present there are 51 centres covering areas including environment, agriculture, manufacturing and medicine. There are seven centres focusing on Medical Science and Technology in areas ranging from Vaccine Technology to Cochlear Implant, Speech and Hearing. All the centres have been set up to take discoveries to the market place. Centres are located all over the continent of Australia.