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Collaboration drives innovation

Innovation cultivates new ways of thinking, promotes technology development, and helps us collectively solve the greatest challenges.

Our collaborative breadth, depth and interconnectivity underpinned by world-class scientific rigour is what sets us apart.

Businesses of any size can work with us to achieve real impact for their customers and the world. From strategic advisory and planning, to research and development, we offer a range of programs and funding to develop new innovation.

Learn how we partner with businesses to unlock new innovation below, or download our free Business Innovation Matrix to uncover the key business questions to address when exploring new innovation.

Important statistics

3900+

Partners in industry and government

490+

International partners

>70

Countries engaged

210+

Companies started using CSIRO technology

Ways you can partner with CSIRO

We're evolving the way we work with our partners and customers to solve complex challenges

As Australia’s national science agency, we bring a unique multidisciplinary perspective across the innovation process, from strategy to commercialisation.

We partner with businesses in several ways, all designed to accelerate growth. Here’s how:

  • As a TRUSTED ADVISOR: This is our strategic consultancy, foresight and advisory services arm to help your business make informed decisions. We help you look far ahead to get ahead.
  • INNOVATION-AS-A-SERVICE: Market drivers continue to place pressure on organisations to develop break-through products to improve commercial outputs and deliver societal impact for Australia. Our teams can supercharge innovation for your organisation to by working with you to identify strategic opportunities, ideate, incubate and accelerate commercially deployable solutions.
  • INDUSTRY COLLABORATION PARTNER: We partner with organisations to deliver triple-bottom line impacts. Leveraging our expertise and connections we can bring together third-party collaborators and partners across the supply chain to develop solutions to challenges no one organisation can solve. We partner for purpose to solve industry wide challenges.
  • CAPABILITY PARTNER: Organisations wanting to boost innovation can hit roadblocks when trying to find the facilities, capability, funding and/or the skills required to progress. Your business can access our research expertise including staff exchanges, outsourced R&D, co-location with our research teams, STEM education, SME programs or access our world-class facilities. 
  • PORTFOLIO RESEARCH PARTNER: Many organisations are creating more industry-driven deep-tech innovation. Becoming a portfolio research partner under an umbrella research agreement gives your organisation exclusivity to develop and commercialise emerging technologies.
  • SERVICES: Tap into our diverse samples, testing and certification services.
  • SME PROGRAMS: Whether you're a start--up or small to medium sized business, we have a range of funding and support programs to help you uncover research and development opportunities, connect with expert R&D capabilities and drive business growth. 

Depending on your needs, your organisation can work with one model or across the full spectrum.

Interested in finding out how? Learn how we've partnered with businesses like yours in the stories below. Or contact us to discuss how we can help your business.

CSIRO & Google

Collaborating with industry for the benefit of Australia

We began a strategic and continuing partnership with Google focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to pursue collaborative projects. A key outcome of the partnership has been Google’s foundational membership in the National AI Centre and working as a partner to protect the Great Barrier Reef with AI. 

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CSIRO & Boeing

Building capability with a strategic partner

Improving sustainability and using digital technologies to boost productivity are examples of recent joint research programs being developed with Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company.

Over the years the organisations have invested more than $AUD200 million on joint research projects.

The strong relationship with CSIRO was a key factor in Boeing choosing Australia as the location for its largest research and development operation outside the United States.

CSIRO & Native Secrets

Supporting start-ups with funding and expertise

Indigenous-owned start-up business Secret Harvest and its brand Native Secrets is owned by Bidjara Kurra Kurra man Phil Thompson and his wife Cherie. The team were connected to CSIRO's research expertise through one of our SME programs, CSIRO Kick-Start, to explore new extraction methods for native plants that could take their businesses to the next phase.

CSIRO Kick-Start is an initiative for innovative Australian start-ups and small businesses, providing funding support and access to CSIRO's research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business.

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Contact us

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

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