FAQs

Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) – funded through the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centre Program – encourages and supports industry-led collaborations between industry and research.

Facilitating medium – longer-term collaborations (up to 10 years), a CRC

• aims to solve industry identified problems and improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries
• includes an industry-focused education and training program, including a PhD program that builds capability and capacity
• increases research and development (R&D) capacity in small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
• lowers barriers for industry to invest in research

More information about the CRC Program can be found here.

SmartCrete CRC is an independent, for impact Cooperative Research Centre that empowers innovation collaborations that transition concrete for a sustainable Australia.

SmartCrete CRC has been granted $21m of Commonwealth funding over seven (7) years to invest in and facilitate industry-led research projects to improve the cost, productivity and sustainability of concrete. Matching industry research investment on a dollar-for-dollar basis and enabling small and medium enterprise (SME) participation, SmartCrete CRC aims to drive multidisciplinary projects that tackle industry specific problems and ensure long-term viability of Australia concrete infrastructure.

Drawing on resources, expertise and specialist facilities from across its partner network, SmartCrete CRC supports three separate but interlinked research streams: Sustainable Concrete, Engineered Solutions and Asset Management.

Reach out and your interest in collaborating with SmartCrete CRC. There are various partner tiers and collaboration options available, depending on your organisation’s interest in participating in research opportunities, supporting project development and / or commercialisation etc.

Note: Business size determined as per ATO guidelines at www.ato.gov.au (accessed 11/11/21)

Benefits of becoming a SmartCrete CRC partner are varied and tailored to meet the needs of our partner categories. Tabled below as key benefits designed to attract large medium and small sized corporations, state government departments, and National and International research providers.

SmartCrete CRC welcomes businesses, state and local government entities that have identified knowledge gaps towards sustainable, viable concrete in Australia.

To be eligible, organisations must

• Be operating in Australia with an Australian Business Number
• Demonstrate capacity to meet the proposed financial project contribution
• Commit to adopting and disseminating project outcomes for both organisational competitive advantage as well as the economic, environmental and social benefit of Australia

Organisations will enter a collaborative research agreement with SmartCrete CRC and the research provider. Research activities must conclude prior to June 2027.

Yes, however, both a partner cash contribution and additional cash will be subjected to a Central Services Fee (CSF). Cash contribution to a project is required at the commencement of the project, in full.

SmartCrete CRC has been granted $21m in Commonwealth funding to invest in concrete research. Expenditure associated with the administration, management of project funding, associated auditing, reporting and commercialisation of project outcomes is met by the application of a Central Service Fee (CSF). All partner agreement and cash contributions attract a 30%CSF.

Yes. You are still required to become a partner in SmartCrete CRC. It is advisable to become familiar with the Project Development and Approval Guidelines to understand the responsibility and commitments of research participation.

As a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee with charitable status, the SmartCrete CRC is required to re-invest all revenue back into research collaboration for the benefit of Australia’s concrete ecosystem.

Commercial terms will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and form part of the Project Agreement. They are based on each partner’s tier and not on their geographical location.

Projects must have a lead industrial partner who can nominate the share of their contributions directed towards each project. To support an industry-led research concept, industry partners are required to contribute a minimum of 25% of their SmartCrete project budget to the particular project.

All partner agreement and cash contributions attract a 30%CSF.