CA Board appointed

The Australian Government's new $196 million Commercialisation Australia initiative - which assists researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative firms to convert ideas into successful commercial ventures - has announced the appointment of its board members. The Chairman is Dr Laurie Hammond, who has a wealth of experience in commercialisation. The other members are Dr Katherine Woodthorpe, Dr Susan Pond, Dr Bruce Whan, Mr Nixon Apple and Ms Jan Bingley. Applications for assistance are now being accepted. The CA Board will begin assessing applications for assistance in March 2010.

Go with Green!

The $1.3 billion Green Car Innovation Fund offers grants from $100,000 for projects that significantly reduce fuel consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions of passenger motor vehicles.

Search on for top scientist

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are open for nominations. The top gong is worth $300,000 with the other categories being: Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year ($50,000), Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year ($50,000), Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools ($50,000) and Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools ($50,000). Nominations close on Friday 21 May 2010.

Everyone's a WIINer!

Workshops, Industry Intelligence & Networking (WIIN) offers grants of up to $50,000 to organisations to run activities to improve awareness of and education in relevant innovations, technologies, expertise and best practice amongst firms in the Enterprise Connect target market. These services could be delivered in a range of ways, including, but not limited to:

• One or two day seminars
• Workshops
• Demonstration projects aimed at accelerating technology/knowledge diffusion
• Case studies
• Best practice factory or industry visits
• Networking events
• Bringing overseas industry experts to Australia for any or all of the above.

Calling all worldly women

Austrade's Women in Global Business Program is aimed at female business owners/operators and female corporates with an international business focus. The national seminar series runs from March 1-11.

Home sweet work

Small businesses with less than 15 employees can apply for grants of up to $15,000 from the Australian Government to put in place family-friendly working arrangements. The Government will support new, innovative ideas through the second round of the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grants program. Applications open on Thursday 25 February and close on Wednesday 31 March 2010.

Tailor made for business

Enterprise Connect's Tailored Advisory Service will reimburse your firm half the cost, up to a maximum of $20,000 (excluding GST), of engaging a consultant/s to deliver improvements recommended in your EC Business Review (or equivalent review process). The scope of the Tailored Advisory Services is broad, including issues such as business process improvements, business strategy and business growth.

Tradex on board

AusIndustry will be exhibiting its Tradex program, which allows an importer to gain an up-front exemption from Customs duty and GST on eligible imported goods that are intended for export, during the Import Export Show - Goes on the Road series. The two-day seminar program and mini expos move to Brisbane on March 9-10 before moving to Adelaide and Perth in early May.

Let's discuss

The Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) program will provide $52 million over three years from 2011 for collaboration between universities. The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, has invited responses to the discussion paper to be sent to crn@innovation.gov.au by Monday 22 March 2010. Following the consultation process, eligible universities will be invited to submit proposals for CRN projects from Thursday 1 July 2010.

Recent AusIndustry announcements and project highlights

Research and development help on hand

Intalysis credits the Australian Government's R&D Tax Concession for its investment of at least 10 per cent of revenue into research and product development. Companies registered for the Tax Concession can claim back 125 per cent of their relevant expenses when they lodge their company tax return. Intalysis provides low frequency microwave moisture analysers to mining companies.

Check out your TCF eligibility

Clothing company Texas Downs, trading as Travellers Apparel, has used its Australian Government funding from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Post-2005 Strategic Investment Program to develop new products, test the market and develop its workforce of talented tailors and designers. Not bad assistance considering Texas Downs initially doubted they would be eligible for the program. Ring AusIndustry on 13 28 46 to see if you are eligible.

Tassie assistance proves popular

Projects will be up and running sooner and more jobs created in a shorter time frame due to an overwhelming response to the Australian Government's North-West and Northern Tasmania Investment and Innovation Fund, with 126 applications for funding received. Offers of funding will be made before the end of March. The fund is part of a $20 million stimulus package in response to the closure of a number of large factories in the region.