Discovery Translation Fund

Discovery Translation Fund - Guide to Applicants
Guide to Applicants

ANU Connect Ventures manages the Discovery Translation Fund (DTF) on behalf of The Australian National University. The DTF aims to assist the commercialisation of new innovations and technologies originating from Canberra region public sector research organisations and small commercial ventures. Unlike similar funds, the DTF does not require matched funding and is not repayable.

Expressions of Interest (view form») for the DTF will be accepted online on a continual basis. ANUCV will undertake an internal review of EOIs, and following this provide details for lodgement for a Full Application. Potential applicants will receive support from an external refereeing organisation to complete and refine a formal application. Referees include:

Submitted applications will be reviewed by ANUCV and applicants may be requested to provide further information or provide a formal presentation to the Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee will make final funding recommendations based on an assessment of projects against the criteria below.

For more information and to view application questions, please download the Guide to Applicants»

Eligibility Requirements

The Discovery Translation Fund is an initiative of ANU and the ACT Government. To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

  • Be an ACT-based public research organisation, an individual resident in the ACT, or an ACT-based SME with annual turnover of less than $1M;
    • Applicants from elsewhere in the Canberra region may be considered if they can demonstrate substantial potential returns to the ACT.
  • Have rights to commercialise all IP required to complete the proposed project and to commercialise the IP developed as a result of the project;
  • Be able to demonstrate the need for financial assistance from the DTF;
  • Not have previously received funding through a Seed Investment from the ANU-MTAA Super Venture Capital Partnership ;
  • Complete project within 12 months of funding, unless otherwise agreed; and
  • Agree to be bound by the DTF Grant Agreement (see the Guide to Applicants).

Merit Criteria

Projects must have identifiable commercial potential and present a strong case for their likelihood of success. The Evaluation Committee will assess potential projects against the following:

  • Concept or Technology – What is the quality of underlying science, technology or concept?
    • Intellectual Property – Has the applicant demonstrated ownership of existing IP and rights to commercialise any IP resulting from the project? Are there onerous burdens existing or under negotiation with other parties for the IP?
  • Commercial Potential – What is the market need addressed and the potential market size? How does the proposed project compare with existing competitors in the market? How is the potential market developing?
    • Commercialisation Strategy – Does the applicant present a realistic, viable path to market? What is the lead time to bring the technology to market?
    • Benefits to the ACT – What is the scale of potential benefit to the ACT, and are benefits ongoing?
  • Need for Funding – Has the applicant satisfactorily demonstrated a need for funding? Have other sources of funding been investigated?
    • Contributions from the Applicant – Has the applicant secured other, complementary resources? What resources are being contributed by the research team, the management team and any collaborators?
  • The Team – Has the applicant demonstrated a strong team with the knowledge and experience required to complete the project? Is the team likely to be able to undertake further development and commercialisation work to bring a product to market?
    • Collaborators – Do collaborators (if any) fill critical gaps in the main team? What demands or complications do they present to the project?
  • Detail of Activities – Are the planned activities likely to achieve the proposed outcomes? Are the timeframes realistic? Is the distribution of work and sequence of milestones likely to produce satisfactory outcomes?
  • Detailed Budget – Are the costs reasonable? Do they present a viable value proposition based on the intended project outcomes?

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