CSIRO is committed to solving Australia’s greatest challenges. Through analysis, forecasting and significant engagement with industry, government and academia, we have identified six challenges to overcome and turn to Australia’s advantage:

  • Food Security and Quality
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Resilient and Valuable Environments
  • Sustainable Energy and Resources
  • Future Industries
  • A Secure Australia and Region

Further information around these challenges is available at https://www.csiro.au/en/about/challenges-missions/Challenges 

Innovation in the use of digital technologies represents a key driver to finding solutions to the challenges listed above in many cases. Specifically, our digital science research is focused on driving the uptake and adoption of AI, supporting Australia’s recovery and resilience and accelerating scientific discovery.

To date, the Australian university sector has been a tremendous ally and partner to CSIRO in these efforts.

We’re now looking to amplify our impact through a new engagement model that facilitates greater purpose-driven collaborations at scale. The new model would see CSIRO and universities partner around one of our key challenges.

This represents a move away from directly funding projects, to zeroing in on a significant goal and pooling our unique resources in pursuit of it. Each partner would co-invest >$1M per annum over 3 years (with a possible 2 year extension) towards solving our shared challenge. These partnerships will support the Australian innovation system to achieve scale and provide leadership and synergy around the key science and technology challenges facing Australia.

As we are looking for a new mode of engagement based on true collaboration, we are flexible regarding how we structure and manage these partnerships with a focus on ensuring the best outcome for Australia.

Please contact Simon Barry (Deputy Director Data61, CSIRO) to arrange further discussions via Data61UniversityRFI@csiro.au    

For further assistance, a list of frequently asked questions is available here or you can ask a question via Data61UniversityRFI@csiro.au