Commercialisation Training Scheme
Look beyond the academic bounds of your research project. Explore the commercial potential of your research in the real world.
The newly introduced Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation for Research Students (GCCRS) has been designed to equip the next generation of Australian researchers with the knowledge, skills and experience to bring their research ideas and innovations to the marketplace.
The GCCRS will help you better understand the commercial potential of your current research and enable you to plan for its future commercial benefit.
The GCCRS will enhance your student experience as well as your career prospects. Catering specifically for the needs of research students, the GCCRS aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of:
- the commercialisation process and activities commonly employed to bring research ideas and innovations to market.
- practical business know-how to take your research to a global marketplace.
- relevant technical commercialisation issues such as intellectual property management, financial management, project management and market research.
- interpersonal and communication skills crucial for research commercialisation, such as leadership, team work, and presentation skills.
Only domestic research students, who are currently enrolled in a research higher degree, are eligible to apply. The GCCRS is funded by a federal initiative known as the Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS). The CTS provides payment of tuition fees associated with the GCCRS. RHD students in receipt of a scholarship may also be eligible for a living allowance stipend.
| GCCRS Course Information Application Form Entry Requirements Application & Enrolment Guidelines Subjects Offered for 2008 Tuition Fees & Scholarship Cross Intuitional Study Assessment Guidelines |
For further information contact: |
Download the 2008 GCCRS Application Form
Apply now for mid year entryEntry Requirements
Applicants must meet the selection criteria:
-
Confirmed local RHD student at The University of Melbourne.
- Submission of a written statement addressing the two questions below (not to exceed 500 words):
1. How are particular aspects of your research program relevant, or likely to be relevant, to commercialisation?
2. How will the GCCRS contribute to your current research program?
All applications must be supported by the Principal Supervisor and Head of Department. Applications will be considered by a Selection Committee.
Application & Enrolment Guidelines
To be considered for the Commercialisation Training Scheme Award, applicants are required to meet the following guidelines:
1. To be considered for a CTS place, students must complete and submit the Application for Enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation for Research Students (Commercialisation Training Scheme Scholarship) form to the Melbourne School of Graduate Research.
In addition to completing the application form, applicants must submit a written statement addressing the two questions below (not to exceed 500 words) must:
- How are particular aspects of your research program relevant, or likely to be relevant, to commercialisation?
- How will the GCCRS contribute to your current research program?
All applications must be supported by the Principal Supervisor and Head of Department. Applications will be considered by a Selection Committee.
Application forms should be submitted to the Programs Officer, Melbourne School of Graduate Research.
2. Completion and submission of the Application form does not constitute an enrolment for the GCCRS. Details on the online enrolment procedures will be sent to successful applicants with a letter offering a place in the GCCRS.
3. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens who are currently enrolled in a research higher degree (RHD) course. International students are not eligible for the CTS Award.
4. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient time to undertake the GCCRS and that it will not hinder their progress nor comprise the quality of the output of the RHD.
5. Students will have a maximum period of 2 years to complete the GCCRS, subject to them continuing to meet the eligibility requirements, which include being enrolled as a RHD student. A limited exemption to being enrolled as a RHD
student is provided to allow students to complete CTS training during the thesis examination period.
6. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the CTS training will add value to the RHD enrolment and enhance career prospects.
7. Applicants who have previously completed CTS training or training deemed equivalent will be ineligible to receive benefit under the CTS. Students who, under any circumstances, are entitled to receive credit towards the CTS qualification from prior studies can only receive benefit under the CTS for the remaining period of study necessary to complete CTS training.
Subjects available for 2008
Subjects offered through the University of Melbourne in 2008
Technology Entrepreneurship (12.5 points, next available in sem 1, 2009)
Leadership for Research Students (12.5 points)
From Academic Researcher to Entrepreneurial Writer (25 points)
The Commercialisation of Business Skills Program for Research Students (25 points, next available in sem 1, 2009)
Online subjects
These online subjects offered are delivered through the e-Grad School (Australia) - a collaboration of five partner institutions (Curtin, RMIT, UTS, UniSA and QUT). GCCRS students may only undertake one of these online subjects
Knowledge Transfer and Research Commercialisation (12.5 points)
Leadership and Workplace Communication (12.5 points, next available in sem 1, 2009)
Public Policy and Research (12.5 points)
To be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation for Research Students, students must successfully complete a total of 50 points.
Subjects offered through the University of Melbourne in 2008
Credit points: 12.5 points
Date: Next available in sem 1, 2009
Mode of delivery: 2 x 3 full-day (9:00am - 5:00pm) teaching blocks run 1 month apart
Subject Objectives
This subject will deliver a set of base skills in starting, growing and operation a technology based business.
Description
The Technology Entrepreneurship course will be taught in 2 x 3 day teaching blocks, each block one month apart. Topics to be covered will include business plan development, understanding capital markets, valuation of early stage business, understanding marketing, creating a sustainable competitive advantage from new ideas, sourcing capital for "seeding" an idea or growth, managing intellectual property, and establishing an exit strategy (initial public offering or trade sale). Panel discussions will include Australian CEOs of ASX listed/private technology companies to discuss strategic and operational management of early stage enterprises, Vice Presidents of Business Development to discuss building new markets, and leading Venture Capitalists on accessing seed and early round financing.
Assessment
- Class participation (10%)
- Company review - no more than 2,000 words (35%)
- Case study analysis - no more than 5000 words (55%)
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Leadership for Research Students
Credit points: 12.5 points
Date: 15-19 September & 3 November
Mode of delivery: One week intensive (5 days, 8:30am - 5:00pm) and one-day follow-up
Subject Objectives
To develop personal awareness of preferred styles in thinking, learning, collecting data, decision making and problem solving as well as negotiating change.
Description
This interactive, five-day intensive program is designed to help participants understand the nature of leadership, how to work effectively in groups and how to plan their professional careers. The course uses action-learning strategies and covers leadership knowledge and skills, communication, negotiation, team processes, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision making and career development.
Assessment
Essay (2,500 words) - (50%)
Class participation (including submission of 2 x 500 words journals) - (30%)
Oral presentation - (20%)
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From Academic Researcher to Entrepreneurial Writer
Credit points: 25 points
Date: Commencing on the 28th of July.
Mode of delivery: 4hrs a week contact time over 12 weeks.
Subject Objectives
To develop an understanding of the context, content and commercial imperatives of writing for audiences outside the academy as both a creator and entrepreneur.
Description
‘From Academic Researcher to Entrepreneurial Writer’ will provide an introduction to the different facets of writing for the commercial non-fiction marketplace, including an overview of the Australian media and publishing industry. This subject will provide practical guidance on how to get an opinion piece published or a media release onto the editor’s desk. This practical component will be augmented by a series of case studies illustrating different approaches to communicating research to a general public. Case studies will be taken from several disciplines and may include commercial applications of science and biotechnology; the ‘history wars’; and art and philosophy. Students will undertake a variety of writing exercises to put theoretical concepts into practice and to develop their writing skills with a commercial audience in mind.
Assessment
Students are required to submit 10 short writing exercises (10% each) totalling 14,000 words.
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The Commercialisation of Business Skills Program for Research Students
Credit points: 25 points
Date: Next available in sem 1, 2009
Mode of delivery: 24 weeks
Subject Objective
To develop commercialisation skills in a relevant, mentored and experiential environment.
Description
During the 24 week period program, students will:
- participate in the formation of the company
- sell shares to raise capital
- appoint management positions
- write the company code of ethics
- prepare a business plan
- conduct market research and establish a product
- manufacture, advertise and sell the product
- showcase the product at a tradeshow
- prepare an annual report
- liquidate the company and return profits to shareholders
Networking events and seminars are made available to participants, mentors, and sponsors. The program culminates with
an awards night where student companies are recognised for excellence in categories such as Company of the Year, Best Business Plan, Best Annual Report, Most Innovative Product or Service, Best Media Promotion and Marketing, and Best Community and/or Environmental Service. Participants of the program will gain insight into personal directions, develop skills in commercialisation of a product, and establish new professional networks within research and industry.
Assessment
- Successful Completion of the YAA program and granting of YAA Participation Certificate (20%)
- Oral presentation (20 minute group presentation) (30%)
- Written assignment at completion of the course, (5000 word maximum) (50%)
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Online subjects
Knowledge Transfer and Research Commercialisation
Credit points: 12.5 points
Date: Next commences on the 28 July 2008
Mode of delivery: Online
Subject Objectives
On successful completion of this subject, students will:
- have a functional understanding of models and strategies for the commercialisation of research
- be able to identify and evaluate the commercial potential of their research
- be able to generate, describe and discuss a strategy for the commercialisation of their research
- be able to develop and implement a business plan for the commercialisation of their research
Description
The commercialisation of research takes place in a complex legal, commercial and scientific/cultural environment, and it is useful for a student to understand his/her role, capacity and potential as an agent for such commercialisation.
This subject provides the student with practical information and builds skills and capacities in the identification of commercialisation opportunities and the implementation of commercialisation processes appropriate for the students research.
The subject is structured in three stages and content is organised as follows:
- My Research and Commercial Potential (An orientation to Research commercialisation processes and an application of this understanding to the students specific research project).
- Product Development (General of commercialisation Strategy specific to the students research).
- Business Planning (Formal documentation of a strategic plan for commercialisation of a students research).
Assessment
- Forum and personal journal contributions (30%)
- Short answer test (30%)
- Assignment (40%)
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Leadership and Workplace Communication
Credit points: 12.5 points
Date: Next available in sem 1, 2009
Mode of delivery: Online
On successful completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Synthesise, compare and critique various approaches, models and theories of leadership, and their translation into evaluation tools and advice for leaders and their development.
- Apply the various approaches, models and theories of leadership to the practice and communication of leaders within the research commercialisation environment.
Description
Workplace communication, team and leadership skills are essential to the multidimensional methods of research management and research commercialisation. This subject provides students with an understanding of:
- introductory theories relating to the dynamics of teams and teamwork, and the communication process,
- the practical information and skills to increase the motivation of students and others.
The subject will cover the following content:
- Leadership skills and know how to implement these skills in providing guidance to a research team in framing and managing research projects and commercialisation.
- Developing mentor relationships.
- Adapting to and dealing with change.
- Evaluating projects.
- Developing interpersonal skills and self awareness.
Assessment
- Online forum (30%)
- Assignments (70%)
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Credit points: 12.5 points
Date: Next commences on the 28 July 2008
Mode of delivery: Online
Subject Objectives
On successful completion of this subject students will have:
- gained a greater awareness and understanding of the nature of research/policy relationships
- a greater understanding of public policy debates in Australia and developed skills to better manage these relationships
- gained a greater awareness and understanding of the dynamics and politics of the policy making process and the extent to which research influences that process
- developed skills in putting together research proposals and conducting research projects
Description
This subject is designed to introduce the world of public policy and specifically to raise awareness about the complex and problematic relationship between research and public policy. Students will learn about the role of public policy in framing research effort by engaging with issues concerning the nature, purpose and impact of research a global, national and local level.
In this subject, students will interact with other students in:
- group discussions in the online moderated discussion forum
- project work through guided activities; and
- tasks and reflection on what the student is learning
Assessment
- Online forum (30%)
- Assignments (70%)
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CTS - Tuition Fees & Scholarship
Tuition Fees
The Commonwealth Government has initiated the Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS) to provide research commercialisation training for domestic Research Higher Degree (RHD) candidates. The CTS provides payment of tuition fees for RHD students to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation for Research Students (GCCRS) concurrently with their RHD candidature.
CTS Living Allowance Stipend
Additional funding may be provided to RHD students who have not completed the GCCRS at the time that their existing scholarship period has ended and require further assistance to meet the direct costs associated with completing the CGGRS. CTS students undertaking the GCCRS at the University of Melbourne may be eligible to receive an extension to their scholarship calculated at the equivalent of 4 months of the full time Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) base rate of payment (if applicable).
The CTS Living Allowance Stipend will not be awarded to a student who is already receiving a scholarship.
Any monies paid in advance for non-completed subjects would need to be returned by the student.
All conditions and eligibility requirements to be considered for a scholarship associated with undertaking a research higher degree at the University of Melbourne apply to the CTS Living Allowance Stipend.
Taxation Exemption
The CTS scholarship is tax exempt provided that the student is enrolled in the Graduate Certificate concurrently while also being enrolled FULL-TIME in the PhD/Master by Research. The CTS scholarship will not be tax exempt if the student is not enrolled full-time.
Cross Instuitional Study
CTS students undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation for Research Students at the University of Melbourne may apply to undertake single subjects offered at another approved tertiary institution participating in the CTS program. The prior approval of the CTS Advisory Committee must be obtained.
Permission will be granted provided that the following conditions are met:
- an equivalent subject is not available through the GCCRS offered at the University of Melbourne;
- the subject is of equivalent standard and weighting to subjects available through the GCCRS at the University of Melbourne;
- the student has a planned program of study that will enable him/her to complete the requirements of the GCCRS course.
Normally a maximum of one quarter of a GCCRS course, and only those subjects meeting the above criteria, may be credited toward the GCCRS.
A request by the student wishing to enrol in a cross institutional subject must be made by submitting a 'Cross institutional subject' form, at least 4 weeks before the commencement of the subject. The form must be lodged with the Programs Officer, the Melbourne School of Graduate Research.
The application is submitted to the CTS Advisory Committee for consideration and approval and the student will be notified of the decision within 7 days.
For information on approved subjects offered by another institution please check the online subjects offered for 2008.
Assessment Guidelines
Students are expected to complete and submit all assessment tasks by the due dates as advised by the subject facilitator.
Students requesting an extension must arrange this directly with the subject facilitator. Reasons for extension:
- Illness - a medical certificate may be required
- Extenuating personal circumstances
The subject facilitator has the discretion to approve the extension. If an extension has been granted, the assignment/project is due by the new agreed due date.
Assignments/projects submitted late without prior negotiation may incur a grading penalty.