APRIL open for business on innovation and commercialisation fronts

Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd (APRIL) is seeking applications for Innovation and Commercialisation projects.
calendar icon 4 April 2019
clock icon 3 minute read
Prof John Pluske, APRIL CEO & Chief Scientist
Prof John Pluske, APRIL CEO & Chief Scientist

An independent, member based research entity, APRIL continues the approach to research, education, training and commercialisation of the very successful CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork, which concludes 30 June, 2019.

APRIL Innovation Projects are negotiable to around 12 to 15 months, have a maximum budget of AUS$50,000 to AUS$75,000 and require a minimum external cash co-investment of 25 percent of the total cash cost of the project.

There will be two calls per calendar year for Innovation Projects, with the first deadline 17 May, 2019.

Open all year round, Commercialisation Projects are where the path to market of a product or technology may be close and additional co-investment may bring it to fruition.

Such projects require a co-investment external contribution of 20 percent of the total cash project cost. Duration is negotiable if beyond 12 months.

Commercialisation income is a clear imperative for the future of APRIL, hence supporting projects in this domain is critical, according to APRIL CEO and Chief Scientist, John Pluske.

“APRIL wants to be seen as a catalyst for innovation and a key co-funder of research for the overall benefit of Australasia’s pork industry.

“The Innovation and Commercialisation projects are an important pillar of APRIL’s strategic direction and complement our longer term research initiatives, which will soon be announced and detailed.

“We are encouraging thinking outside the box to engage smart new ways to tackle current and emerging pork industry challenges,” Professor Pluske said.

APRIL Innovation Project proposals must demonstrate originality, uniqueness and creativity, according to APRIL Commercialisation and Research Impact Manager Charles Rikard-Bell.

“They should establish new concepts or challenge existing ones, address significant challenges or critical barriers to progress and be able to improve or apply new theoretical concepts, methodologies or tools to benefit industry,” Dr Rikard-Bell said.

Assessment of applications will be based strongly on these criteria and will be favourably considered if they can demonstrate revenue generating potential.

APRIL and Pork CRC have already successfully commercialised and managed research technologies of benefit to Australasia’s pork industry.

Applications can be lodged by researchers currently working in the pork industry, but are also welcomed from individuals and organisations not necessarily with a direct affiliation with the Australasian pork industry.

The APRIL website contains application templates and a budget spreadsheet and information on the application process.

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