Translating Australia’s research strength into impact
Australia’s research capability is world class - but translating discovery into delivery remains one of our biggest challenges. The 2026 Ambitious Australia report (Strategic Examination of Research and Development) affirms what many across the system already know: Australia’s world class research capability is one of our greatest strengths but translating that capability consistently into impact remains a critical challenge.
For CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program, this is where we work every day. Operating at the interface of research, innovation and commercialisation, we see first-hand both the extraordinary potential of Australian science and the complexity of navigating the pathways to impact. Through structured, experience led support, ON helps research teams build capability, test assumptions and move ideas closer to market.
A decade of strong, reliable outcomes for Australian research
The ON Program is a proven, national platform connecting research with markets, capital, capability and community to deliver real world outcomes.
Over the past decade, ON has supported more than 8,800 researchers to move from discovery to delivery across the national innovation system. We have contributed to over $914 million in investment and commercialisation funding, with 165 alumni companies and helped create more than 1,300 jobs.
Learn more about our program’s impact and our alumni in this portfolio.
Supporting capability, not just the project
Our approach — built around structured customer discovery, early testing of assumptions, and a shared language between researchers and markets — was recently benchmarked alongside leading international programs across nine countries in The Journal of Technology Transfer. The findings affirmed what experience has shown us: methodology matters.
ON’s long-standing role in the system aligns closely with the priorities outlined in the Ambitious Australia report. Our programs are:
- Driving economic growth from research by helping teams identify real customer needs and viable markets early
- Strengthening translation pathways through structured, staged programs that de‑risk opportunities at each phase
- Enabling system cohesion by connecting universities, research agencies, investors, industry and government around shared methods and language
We de-risk opportunities, build translational capability, and play a proactive role in connecting institutions, investors, and partners across what can otherwise be a fragmented landscape. The program focuses on capability and culture uplift, not just technology outcomes.
As Australia sharpens its focus on building a more connected and effective R&D system, ON remains committed to enabling research teams to move from discovery to delivery, ensuring our national science continues to generate meaningful, lasting impact.
Every pathway is different. Explore the stories of ON alumni and the lessons they learned as they turned research into real‑world outcomes.
Our journey
The ON Innovation Program is funded under the Research Translation and Commercialisation Agenda (previously known as the University Research Commercialisation Action Plan or URCAP) through FY2027 and remains focused on delivering strong outcomes for Australia's research and innovation ecosystem.
Through ON, researchers are building the commercialisation capability needed to translate publicly funded research into services, ventures and technological solutions that deliver economic and societal benefit.
We remain committed to delivering impact throughout the current funding period.
Decisions regarding funding beyond FY2027 will be a matter for future Australian Government and CSIRO priorities.
Translating Australia’s research strength into impact
Australia’s research capability is world class - but translating discovery into delivery remains one of our biggest challenges. The 2026 Ambitious Australia report (Strategic Examination of Research and Development) affirms what many across the system already know: Australia’s world class research capability is one of our greatest strengths but translating that capability consistently into impact remains a critical challenge.
For CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program, this is where we work every day. Operating at the interface of research, innovation and commercialisation, we see first-hand both the extraordinary potential of Australian science and the complexity of navigating the pathways to impact. Through structured, experience led support, ON helps research teams build capability, test assumptions and move ideas closer to market.
Our vision is to unlock the power of Australian research to solve our biggest challenges. Our mission is to empower every publicly funded researcher in Australia to translate their knowledge into real world impact by connecting them to world class programs, expert resources and an inclusive community. ON Prime: Exists to help Australian researchers discover the pathways through which their Science and Technology can create positive impact. ON Accelerate: Exists to support ambitious researchers to accelerate their most promising deep tech research from lab to market. ON Translate: Formerly known as ON Core, is the heartbeat of our community - bringing researchers, mentors, partners and innovators together to connect, learn, collaborate and celebrate.
A decade of strong, reliable outcomes for Australian research
The ON Program is a proven, national platform connecting research with markets, capital, capability and community to deliver real world outcomes.
Over the past decade, ON has supported more than 8,800 researchers to move from discovery to delivery across the national innovation system. We have contributed to over $914 million in investment and commercialisation funding, with 165 alumni companies and helped create more than 1,300 jobs.
Learn more about our program’s impact and our alumni in this portfolio.
Supporting capability, not just the project
Our approach — built around structured customer discovery, early testing of assumptions, and a shared language between researchers and markets — was recently benchmarked alongside leading international programs across nine countries in The Journal of Technology Transfer. The findings affirmed what experience has shown us: methodology matters.
ON’s long-standing role in the system aligns closely with the priorities outlined in the Ambitious Australia report. Our programs are:
- Driving economic growth from research by helping teams identify real customer needs and viable markets early
- Strengthening translation pathways through structured, staged programs that de‑risk opportunities at each phase
- Enabling system cohesion by connecting universities, research agencies, investors, industry and government around shared methods and language
We de-risk opportunities, build translational capability, and play a proactive role in connecting institutions, investors, and partners across what can otherwise be a fragmented landscape. The program focuses on capability and culture uplift, not just technology outcomes.
As Australia sharpens its focus on building a more connected and effective R&D system, ON remains committed to enabling research teams to move from discovery to delivery, ensuring our national science continues to generate meaningful, lasting impact.
Every pathway is different. Explore the stories of ON alumni and the lessons they learned as they turned research into real‑world outcomes.
Our journey
Pilot CSIRO
2015-2016
NISA ON 1.0
2016-2020
2020-2022
URCAP ON 2.0
2022-2027
The ON Innovation Program is funded under the Research Translation and Commercialisation Agenda (previously known as the University Research Commercialisation Action Plan or URCAP) through FY2027 and remains focused on delivering strong outcomes for Australia's research and innovation ecosystem.
Through ON, researchers are building the commercialisation capability needed to translate publicly funded research into services, ventures and technological solutions that deliver economic and societal benefit.
We remain committed to delivering impact throughout the current funding period.
Decisions regarding funding beyond FY2027 will be a matter for future Australian Government and CSIRO priorities.