Lobbies pitch for access to the National Reconstruction Fund with arguments that meet their needs but Science and Technology Australia responds to what the government signals it wants, with one modest ask

STA’s submission to the consultation paper for the fund acknowledges that the NRF is not for discovery research and early stage R&D, but suggests the NRF board should “forward scout projects emerging” from applied research agencies  and programmes –  the Economic Accelerator, CRCs, ARC centres of excellence and “innovations developed” at NCRIS facilities.

STA also ventures into the planning weeds, suggesting how and when the NRF board should engage with businesses in the fund’s seven priority areas, but it makes no grab for researcher power, unlike other proposals (CMM February 14) – staying silent on board membership.

However it does suggest a “modest portion of NRF funding to support training and professional development initiatives to upskill this powerful source of innovation.”

With which STA can help, it’s Bench to Boardroom programme, “is a bold and transformative idea: to create a new generation of scientist entrepreneurs.” No harm in asking.