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Welcome to the July 2022 CSIRO Alumni newsletter

In this month’s newsletter you can read about our latest news, events, courses and programs, job opportunities and much more.

Expert Commentary: State of the Environment 2021
Hear from our CSIRO experts who contributed as authors to the State of the Environment 2021 Report.

Help grow our alumni network
We now have over 4,500 members but we know that there are many more former colleagues out there. Help us build the alumni network and forward this newsletter on or share the link to alumni registration.

Event calendar

Many presentations and seminars are now being held online – so you can attend from the comfort of your own home. Our alumni calendar lists both CSIRO and external events.

Promote your own events

To help connect alumni with one another, we encourage you to list your own events on our website. Let us know if you are organising, presenting or attending an upcoming event.

An Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative-led regional event

A Plastic Free July: from deep space to deep sea

Join us for a free webinar to mark Plastic Free July. We’ll be showcasing innovative and inspiring initiatives to reduce plastic pollution. This includes hearing from leading researchers from Australia, the Indo-Pacific and the USA, and how countries are tackling plastic waste through a range of solutions.

News from our alumni members

We feature a range of alumni stories on our website celebrating the achievements of our members. We encourage members to get in touch and send in their stories of trials and tribulations – all in the name of scientific research!

So, if you have received an award, written a book or have any stories that you’d like to share with the alumni network, please email alumni@csiro.au

On a sadder note, if you would like to let the alumni network know about the passing of one of our members, please email us and we can post a notice to the news page and also feature an obituary within our stories section.

Alumni connections

Join the Wine Tasting group at CSIRO Lindfield

We’d like to extend an invitation to local alumni members to come and join our Wine Tasting group at CSIRO Lindfield.

Innovate to Grow: Advanced Manufacturing course

Abstract detail of machine parts

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can apply for our free 10-week virtual program to learn more about the power of R&D to develop your idea relating to manufacturing.

This next intake is aimed specifically at SMEs working on advanced manufacturing solutions.
The program will help you refine your innovation idea and step you through how to turn this into a research and development opportunity. You will also be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts and have access to networking opportunities with researchers and R&D mentors.
It's a great opportunity to work alongside other like-minded SMEs and build your networks.

Applications open 25 July to 22 August.

Apply now: ON Prime and ON Accelerate

ON Prime

ON Prime gives researchers the skills and confidence to undertake customer discovery and market validation activities that enable them to take their research further. Apply before 19 August.

ON Accelerate

ON Accelerate is a structured, full-time accelerator for research teams to validate and develop high potential innovative ventures. Apply before 16 September.

Australia ByDesign: Innovations

This season features Dr Megan Sebben, our CSIRO Kick-Start Manager as a judge and series host. The show is all about Australian innovation, ingenuity and design excellence, it's about inspiration, disruption and changing the game

SMEs key to driving growth in Australia

A CSIRO report last year, informed by a survey of more than 800 SME leaders, found for SMEs to truly become and remain competitive, research and development (R&D) was a must.

Celebrating the top 100 Innovators

Close up image of circuit board

Congratulations to the startup and small to medium businesses (SME) and leaders recognised in The Australian’s Top 100 Innovators list 2022 last week. 

Special congrats to those who are a part of our program alumni, our missions and joint venture partners and those who are backed by the CSIRO Innovation Fund (managed by Main Sequence Ventures) including;

CSIRO remains committed to the support of start-ups and SMEs through training and matched funding and talent programs. To stay up to date with all the latest news and offers for business, please subscribe to SME Connections quarterly newsletter.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Applications for this year’s second and final UROP intake will open Monday 25 July and close Friday 12 August

Information for students
Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a Victorian university can apply for the next UROP intake. Students who are successful in gaining a placement will commence work during the summer break, initially working 4 weeks full time and then 8 hours per week during semester for 6 to 12 months. The types of placements available will be determined by the projects submitted by supervisors for this round.

Students can submit their application between 25 July and close 12 August. More information about the application process and participant eligibility information is available on Eligibility and application information - CSIRO.

Information for supervisors
Interested in supervising an undergraduate student on your research project? UROP is now calling for project submissions from supervisors to be custom matched with one or more exceptional and highly capable UROP students. If the organisation’s capacity can support it, supervisors can request to supervise more than one student on their project. After submitting your proposal, the UROP team will match you with a student whose interests align with your project.

To participate, please submit your project proposal here. We will be accepting applications until 12 August via this link. For more information about the program please visit our website Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program - CSIRO and please share this opportunity with your networks.

STEM Professionals in Schools program turns 15!

Scientist and teacher sitting at desk together working

This year STEM Professionals in Schools is celebrating 15 years in operation! A volunteer program that facilitates flexible, partnerships between teachers and stem professionals all over Australia, it has facilitated thousands of partnerships since 2007, inspiring countless students by showcasing the wonders of STEM and how it can be applied in industry settings and potential career paths.

The program team would like to thank all teachers and STEM professionals who have taken part over the years – including some participants who have been with us since the beginning! The program is ready as ever to create new partnerships; find out more and register today via the STEM Professionals in Schools website.

Career opportunities

Stay in touch

We love to hear from our alumni members, so get in touch and let us know what you are up to – reach out to the network for help or promote your events, research or successes. Please email alumni@csiro.au