Industry-led AI projects win support in CRC grant round

As part of the $731 million CRC Program, Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grants provide industry-led collaborations with short term (up to three years) matched funding of up to $3 million to develop important new technologies, products and services that deliver tangible outcomes for Australia.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the sixth CRC Projects selection round demonstrates the benefits of strong industry research partnerships, with 19 projects to receive over $40 million.

“These industry-led partnerships will improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, and create more jobs."

The sixth funding round encouraged the use of artificial intelligence and data to improve efficiency. Nineteen successful partnerships submitted applications, making this the most competitive round to date with a record number of applications and grants being awarded.

The successful projects with particular relevance to the energy and resources sector include:

• $1.5 million for the development of AI based control techniques to increase energy efficiency in air conditioning of large buildings with onsite renewable energy generation and energy storage
• $2.9 million for automating data collection and analytics in underground mines using drones and AI
• $2.8 million for the development of a system that can provide to mining companies real-time information regarding borehole geophysical and trajectory data
• $3 million for advanced composite pultrusion manufacturing for next generation civil structures

CRC funding is open to all industry sectors and research disciplines and is awarded through a competitive merit based selection process. The next funding round will kick off in the first half of 2019.

To read more about the successful applicants of round 6, go here.

To find out more about the CRC Program, visit here.