In the competitive landscape of modern business, access to cutting-edge research infrastructure can be the difference between stagnation and growth for small to medium enterprises. While many Australian SMEs might view research facilities as the exclusive domain of universities and large corporations, the reality is quite different. Australia boasts a robust ecosystem of research infrastructure that's increasingly accessible to businesses of all sizes.
For SMEs operating in an innovation-driven economy, research infrastructure offers numerous advantages. Perhaps most significantly, it enables businesses to conduct sophisticated research and development without the massive capital investment typically required. A small manufacturing firm, for instance, can access advanced materials testing equipment without purchasing the million-dollar machinery outright.
Research infrastructure encompasses the facilities, resources and services that support innovative research and development. This includes physical assets like laboratories, specialised equipment and testing facilities, as well as digital resources such as high-performance computing systems, data repositories and analytical software. In Australia, research infrastructure spans diverse fields including materials science, biotechnology, environmental monitoring, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) represents one of Australia's largest research infrastructure networks, but numerous other facilities exist through universities, cooperative research centres and industry-specific innovation hubs. These facilities often house equipment and expertise that would be prohibitively expensive for individual SMEs to develop independently.
Beyond cost savings, research infrastructure provides access to specialised expertise. The engineers and scientists who operate these facilities possess deep knowledge in their respective fields. When you establish a relationship with the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) facility, you're gaining access not just to equipment but to the talented engineers and technical experts who understand its capabilities intimately. These professionals can provide invaluable guidance on experimental design, data interpretation and potential applications relevant to your business challenges.
Research infrastructure also facilitates collaboration. When accessing shared facilities, you'll frequently encounter other innovative businesses and researchers. These chance meetings often spark new ideas and partnerships. For many Australian SMEs, these collaborations have led to breakthrough innovations and new market opportunities.
Additionally, leveraging recognised research infrastructure lends credibility to your products. When pitching to customers or investors, the ability to say your innovations were developed or tested at respected facilities carries significant weight.
Despite the tremendous value of research infrastructure, many Australian SMEs remain unaware of how to access it. The process is typically more straightforward than you might expect.
The first step is identifying relevant facilities. NCRIS represents a network of world-class research facilities across Australia. Its website provides a comprehensive directory of research infrastructure organised by capability area. It's important to understand that when working with NCRIS facilities, you establish a direct relationship with the facility itself, not with the university that might host it. This direct relationship often streamlines access and ensures you're working with specialists focused on your specific needs.
Most research infrastructure providers offer multiple engagement models. These range from fee-for-service arrangements, where you simply pay to use equipment or services, to collaborative research projects where costs and intellectual property are shared. Many facilities also offer training programs to help your team develop the skills to maximise the value of the infrastructure.
For cash-strapped startups and SMEs, various government grants can offset the cost of accessing research infrastructure. The Research and Development Tax Incentive provides tax benefits for eligible R&D activities, including those conducted using external research facilities. State governments also offer innovation vouchers that can be applied toward the cost of accessing research infrastructure.
Research Infrastructure Connected – Welcome to Research Infrastructure Connected (RIC)
Across Australia, SMEs are leveraging research infrastructure to drive innovation. A Brisbane-based medical device company used CSIRO's biomedical facilities to develop and test a revolutionary wound-healing technology. A South Australian winery partnered with a university's sensory analysis laboratory to optimise its wine production process. A Perth engineering firm utilised advanced manufacturing facilities to prototype components that have since been commercialised internationally.
To begin harnessing the power of research infrastructure for your business, start by clearly defining your research needs and challenges. With this understanding in hand, explore the NCRIS website or contact your state's innovation agency. Most research facilities welcome inquiries from businesses and are eager to discuss how their capabilities might address your specific needs.
Remember that research infrastructure isn't just for groundbreaking scientific discoveries — it can help solve everyday business problems, improve existing products or open entirely new markets. By establishing direct relationships with Australia's world-class research facilities and their expert engineers, your SME can innovate at a scale previously available only to much larger organisations.
David is Director of Emerging Industries and Innovation at the Australian Industry Group.
He has been part of Australia’s innovation ecosystem for more than 15 years and has worked at the executive level across multiple industries in large and small organisations to facilitate innovative solutions to complex problems.
David has maximised opportunities for Australian industry in $88 billion of major projects, delivered financial assistance of more than $22 million to innovative SMEs and pulled together over 150 commercially astute leading-edge research/industry collaborations that have resulted in novel technology and jobs of the future.
