One of the key ways that publicly funded research can have a productive impact is through it being translated into useable products, processes and services. This is an important aspect of the Australian research and innovation system. Bringing research results and outputs to the market, or otherwise into productive usage, in a timely and effective manner yields tangible benefits from that research, ensuring that it contributes to the economy and to the broader community. It is therefore important for researchers and research institutions to build strong, ongoing connections with industry and investors who can help bring ideas, inventions and innovations to market, or otherwise into economically productive use.
National Survey of Research Commercialisation
The National Survey of Research Commercialisation (NSRC) collects commercialisation information from Australia’s universities, publicly funded research agencies and medical research institutes. The latest iteration of the survey was conducted in 2006, with information for the years 2003 and 2004 being gathered. The Survey gathered information on intellectual property commercialisation (e.g. patents, licence income, spin-out company formation), research consultancies and contracts, and skills development and transfer.
Wherever possible the current iteration of NSRC drew upon reliable third party data to reduce respondent burden and enhance data comparability, including inclusion of data for the Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) from the CRCs management data questionnaire (MDQ) for 2003 to 2004 and 2004 to 2005.
The NSRC provides insights into the major areas of activity as reported by the institutions performing the majority of work in this area. Quantitative information on commercialisation performance is provided in relation to a number of specific indicators, and qualitative information in the form of commercialisation case studies.
If you would like more information on the NSRC, follow the links to the previous reports (in the Publications section below) or contact the Research Commercialisation & Collaboration Team at the email address above.
Commercialisation Training Scheme
The department administers the Commercialisation Training Scheme which provides training in research commercialisation to Australian students undertaking a higher degree by research.
Publications
August 2007
Please note that on 16th October a marginally revised version of the 2003-2004 NSRC report was uploaded containing a clarifying additional footnote on page 24.
March 2006
April 2005
April 2005
April 2005
October 2004
September 2002