Research expertise and successful engagement with business has placed Flinders University at the forefront of a Federal Government scheme aimed at commercialising research.

Flinders has secured seven Researchers in Business (RIB) Grants worth $332,393 from the Federal Government’s Enterprise Connect program, making it the third-ranked research organisation in Australia after the CSIRO and the University of Queensland.

RIB grants support the placement of researchers from universities or public research agencies into businesses, to help develop and implement a new idea with commercial potential.

Twenty-five universities have received RIB grants through the Enterprise Connect program between its start in early 2009 and December 2011.

Five Flinders University researchers from the School of Chemistry and Physical Sciences and the School of Biological Sciences are currently involved in seven projects with local and interstate companies across a range of sectors that include cosmetics, agriculture, food, health, and floor and plastics manufacturing.

While details of the research cannot be revealed for commercial reasons, Professor David Day (pictured), the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), said the program is proving highly successful in its aims of accelerating the adoption of new ideas and technologies and increasing competitiveness in business.

“Some of the work being done by the Flinders researchers is around the development of ways to  refine and streamline of existing products and processes, while other research is devoted to assessing the viability of new products for use in new applications,” Professor Day said.

“All of the projects are demonstrating the value of breaking down the divide between the business and research sectors and, through sustained access to the expertise of university researchers, are bringing tangible benefits to the participating companies.”