Advance Queensland initiative injects research into business

CREATING opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to collaborate with research organisations is a key focus of the Queensland Government’s $180 million Advance Queensland initiative – including grants to help businesses access university graduates for project work.

Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation director of innovation policy and programs, Steve Moorhouse, said one of the key Advance Queensland programs announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was the $8 million Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. 

“The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program will support innovation and business growth by helping to bridge the gap between universities and small to medium enterprises, and see more translation of scientific and technological research into tangible products and services,” Mr Moorhouse said.

“The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships provide funding of up to $50,000 per project to help cover the cost of placing university graduates in businesses to work on key strategic and innovative projects. 

“It will help businesses turn great ideas into commercial outcomes, providing real benefits for them as well as for graduates, who will gain valuable work experience.

“Complementing the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is the PhD Industry Experience Program which matches Queensland businesses with PhD students for short-term work experience placements,” Mr Moorhouse said. 

“This program offers businesses the benefit of new ideas and perspectives on innovative projects through the skills and technical expertise offered by the PhD student, while providing the student with a valuable opportunity to develop their workplace knowledge and networks.”

Mr Moorhouse said the intitiative aimed to increase the flow of highly trained and skilled PhD graduates from the research sector into Queensland businesses and government, strengthen links between businesses and universities, and enable businesses to draw upon the skills of researchers to help increase their competitiveness.

“The Innovate Queensland program, also funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by Brisbane-based Impact Innovation Group, supports the Advance Queensland initiative,” Mr Moorhouse said.

“Innovate Queensland offers a range of activities, such as workshops, to help SMEs grow their business by implementing practical innovation and technology commercialisation solutions.”

www.advanceqld.initiatives.qld.gov.au

* The Queensland Government is involved with Queensland Leaders at various levels, including as an active Industry Expert member. www.queenslandleaders.com.au

 

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