Get Involved

 
 

What is a CRC?

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Program is a Commonwealth Government program providing grants for up to 10 years. CRCs are independent entities, established and governed as incorporated companies limited by guarantee and comprises industry led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. The focus is on research and development that will have commercial uses.

The program aims to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, especially in government priority areas, use high quality research to solve industry identified problems, and encourage SMEs to take part in collaborative research.

With more than 233 CRCs being funded since the program’s commencement, the Australian Government has committed more than $4.9B in CRC funding. Funding is generally matched up to 1:1 with cash contributions from CRC partners.


How to participate – for industries

We are now inviting industry to contact us for an initial discussion. We are seeking engagement with:

  • Electricity, Fuel and Chemical Companies

  • Water Utilities

  • Engineering, Legal, Financial and Professional Services Companies

  • Transport Operators

  • Regulatory and Policy Bodies

  • Related Start-ups and SMEs

  • Related Industry Associations

  • Others looking to be part of a leading consortium building a strong foundation for the green hydrogen sector in Australia

The four Non-Research Partner categories in the Scaling Green Hydrogen CRC and the associated benefits are as follows:

1. Core Partner

  • Yearly cash contribution of $250,000 and above

  • Membership of CRC Company

  • Voting rights at Board meetings

  • Nominating Board Members

  • First rights to Project IP at no cost, with 6 months to take up

  • Ability to host potential pilot / demonstration sites

  • Preference to have one nominated priority project funded at all times during the life of the CRC*

  • Access to industry-embedded PhD program

  • Recommending projects for investment

  • Other benefits, including participation in CRC conferences, seminars and networking events

2. Key Partner

  • Yearly cash contribution of $100,000 to $249,000

  • Nominating Board Members

  • Access to Project IP at discounted rate, with 6 months to take up

  • Ability to host potential pilot / demonstration sites

  • Preference to have one nominated priority project funded during the life of the CRC*

  • Access to industry-embedded PhD program

  • Recommending projects for investment

  • Other benefits, including participation in CRC conferences, seminars and networking events

3. Affiliate Partner

  • Yearly cash contribution of $10,000 to $99,000

  • Access to Project IP on commercial terms, with 6 months to take up

  • Ability to host potential pilot / demonstration sites

  • Access to industry-embedded PhD program

  • Recommending projects for investment

  • Other benefits, including participation in CRC conferences, seminars and networking events

4. Knowledge Partner

  • Yearly cash contribution of less than $10,000 or in-kind contribution only

  • Ability to host potential pilot / demonstration sites

  • Access to industry-embedded PhD program

  • Other benefits, including participation in CRC conferences, seminars and networking events


How to participate – for research partners

There is only one Research Partner category in the Scaling Green Hydrogen CRC, the associated benefits for which are as follows:

1. Core Partner

  • Yearly cash contribution of $100,000

  • Membership of CRC Company

  • Voting rights at Board meetings

  • Nominating Board Members

  • Rights to Project IP at no cost, for research purposes only

  • Ability to host potential pilot / demonstration sites

  • Access to industry-embedded PhD program

  • Access to Green Hydrogen Fellows Initiative

  • Recommending projects for investment

  • Other benefits, including participation in CRC conferences, seminars and networking events


Term Sheet

A draft Term Sheet has been developed in consultation with participants. It articulates the governance and management of the CRC. The draft will form a part of the package of information made available to CRC Partners. Please get in touch with a member of the Bid Team to request a copy of the Term Sheet.

IP Management and Ownership

The CRC will maintain a flexible approach in considering options for ownership and use of intellectual property (IP). The exact terms will be negotiated at the start of each project to provide complementary benefits to different partners, including royalties, preferential access and/or segmented market rights.

In the event that project IP is not taken up by project partners, the default position will be that the CRC will take ownership of IP.

Structure

The CRC will operate in a matrix structure, with national research themes in production and utilisation, intersecting with regional green hydrogen hubs (Gladstone, Newcastle, Geelong, Upper Spencer Gulf) where these themes will combine, creating living labs for engagement and dissemination.


Timeline

The Scaling Green Hydrogen CRC bid team is preparing a proposal to submit in Stage 1 of Round 24 of the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Grants.

A lot of work goes into preparing a high-quality proposal. We would like to hear from interested parties as soon as possible to ensure that the right industry challenges and potential solutions are outlined in the bid. The CRC Round 24 opened on 13 January 2023 and Stage 1 application is due on 7 March 2023.


Contact

The bid process is closed. If interested in conducting similar research, please contact the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources (ISER) at the University of Adelaide, on +61 8 8313 1448 or email iser@adelaide.edu.au