About the Department DISR plays a key role in the Australian Government's agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia's existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. Through our work, we support the government's economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians. About the committees The Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) Board delegates functions for the Industry Growth Program and Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program to the Industry Growth Program Committee and the CRC Advisory Committee respectively. The Committees consist of up to seven members, including a Chair, appointed by the Minister for Industry and Innovation. About the Programs Industry Growth Program The Industry Growth Program (IGP) supports innovative startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with high growth potential to transform and significantly scale up their business and help build Australian manufacturing capability in priority areas for the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF). The IGP provides an Advisory service, at no financial cost to a business, and following receipt of the advice, the opportunity for merit-assessed matched grant funding should they choose to apply. Grants range from $50,000 to $5 million in matched funding for projects with a defined period of up to 24 months. Cooperative Research Centres Program The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program fosters high quality research partnerships between businesses and research organisations to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries. It is a proven model for driving industry-led collaborative research partnerships solving industry-identified problems and delivering tangible outcomes. Since it began in 1991, the CRC Program has committed $6 billion to support the establishment of 241 CRCs and 276 CRC Projects. As of July 2025, partners have committed a further $17.9 billion in cash and in-kind contributions. The CRC Program supports medium to long term collaborations of up to 10 years through CRC grants, and short-term collaborations of up to 3 years through the CRC Projects (CRC-Ps) which focus on encouraging greater SME involvement in collaborative research. Our ideal candidate The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals to fill member vacancies on the following committees: Industry Growth Program Committee Cooperative Research Centres Advisory Committee We encourage applications from diverse industry, sector, demographic and cultural backgrounds. Previous committee experience, including assessing grant proposals or making investment decisions will be highly regarded. The department upholds the Government's commitment to achieving equal representation on boards and committees, both in membership and leadership roles. It also fully endorses broader diversity and inclusion strategies. The composition of the department's boards and committees exemplifies these values. Industry Growth Program Committee Members will bring a strong understanding of commercialisation, innovation and critical success factors for scaling businesses, and expertise across various aspects of commercialisation and early-stage growth. This includes experience in project commercialisation, leadership and innovation capability, commercialisation strategy, intellectual property, marketing and/or expanding into international markets. Committee members could also bring specialist technical knowledge and experience in one or more NRF priority areas: value-add in resources value-add in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries transport medical science renewables and low emission technologies defence capability enabling capabilities All applications will be assessed against the following skills and experience including: Startup and SME experience Demonstrated experience in founding or investing in startups or innovative SMEs Proven capability in innovation, commercialisation and driving business growth Familiarity with operational challenges and opportunities in early-stage ventures Sectoral expertise Experience in one or more National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas Understanding of industry-specific dynamics relevant to innovation and growth Governance and representation Previous experience serving on committees or boards Ability to contribute diverse perspectives and represent varied stakeholder interests CRC Advisory Committee Members will bring diverse experience and knowledge that enhances industry research and commercialisation. Candidates will have: the ability to work collaboratively and think strategically the ability to communicate with influence and negotiate effectively and respectfully an understanding of the CRC Program objectives, and Government priorities time to commit to the role a demonstrated high standard of professionalism, probity and personal integrity. The Committee values technical and sectoral expertise in one or more of government's priorities such as the: National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) National science and research priorities List of critical technologies To the above areas of interest, candidates will apply expertise, experience and multi-disciplinary insights regarding: science and technology research development and collaboration commercialisation global or national networks venture capital national security and resilience public policy project and/or executive management and governance government or private sector advisory bodies, boards or committees The key duties of the position include The Industry Growth Program Committee The Industry Growth Program Committee (the Committee) provides advice to the IISA Board and Industry Growth Program (the program) delegate on matters relating to the operation of the Industry Growth Program grants. The Committee is primarily responsible for performing merit assessments of eligible grant applications and making recommendations regarding the award of grants to the delegate for their final decision. The Committee undertakes a strategic investment role in recommending grant funding for innovative SMEs and startups that meet the program's eligibility and merit-based selection criteria. While drawing on input from the program's Executive Director and Advisers, who are responsible for providing commercialisation and early-stage growth guidance to eligible businesses, the Committee operates independently in recommending grant funding allocations. The Committee currently meets in Australian capital cities or virtually every 6-8 weeks to merit assess grant applications (up to two days each), with additional meetings as needed. Committee members review applications prior to meetings and collaborate to finalise merit assessments and recommendations. The CRC Advisory Committee The role of the CRC Advisory Committee (the Committee) is to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister for Industry and Science on the CRC Program. Specifically, Committee members: assess grant applications based on the CRC Program's objectives and assessment criteria, and provide advice as required on the ongoing progress and performance of individual CRCs and CRC-Projects, as well as on the operation of the CRC Program. The Committee generally meets four times a year for selection rounds (two days for each meeting), with additional meetings, including an annual strategy session, as required. The Chair and Committee members assess applications in advance of meetings and in-session the Committee discusses and agrees advice.
