The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program was established by the Federal Government in 1990 to improve the effectiveness of Australia’s research effort through bringing together researchers in the public and private sectors with the end users. The CRC Program links researchers with industry and government with a focus towards research application. The close interaction between researchers and the end users is the defining characteristic of the Program. Moreover, it allows end users to help plan the direction of the research as well as to monitor its progress. Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) grants support medium to long term industry led collaborations.
In April 2019, it was announced that the SmartSat CRC was successful in receiving Federal Government Funding to the value of $55 million through the Department of Industry, Science & Technology’s CRC program.
In addition, over 100 national and international partners have invested over $190 million, bringing together a $245 million research effort over seven years.