The University of Sydney is funding researchers to build ideas and establish partnerships before applying for Australian Research Council applied grants or to become cooperative research centres. Some 21 projects will share $1.28m in cash and kind from the university, plus another $1m in money and assistance from industry partners. Most of the projects will meet Simon Birmingham’s “help families and business” test (hCMM November 1), including  Rhonda Orr’s concussion rehab for junior rugby league players, Nicholas Williamson’s prediction model for algal blooms in lowland rivers and Jun Huang’s project to produce food additive from waste bone.