Make research visible,
make innovation happen.
IRIN connects Australian businesses with university researchers and specialist technical partners — and helps both sides see where a collaboration is worth exploring.
ABOUT IRIN
“An open innovation network that connects academic research with industry needs.”
IRIN helps researchers find the right industry partners — faster, and with far less administrative work on your side. We connect academic expertise with real-world innovation needs across all sectors in Australia, from established industries to emerging fields. No matter the discipline or scale, our purpose is the same:
- We understand what companies across Australia are trying to solve
- We understand the research capabilities within universities
- And we connect both sides in a structured, meaningful, and impactful way
Opportunities for Researchers in IRIN
EXPAND YOUR VISIBILITY. CONNECT WITH AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES. ENABLE REAL-WORLD IMPACT.
Visibility to Australian Enterprises
Your research profile will be included in the IRIN network, allowing innovation-driven Australian enterprises to discover your expertise when opportunities arise.
Opportunity-Based Industry Matching
When enterprise projects, challenges, or innovation initiatives align with your expertise, IRIN will help facilitate introductions and early conversations.
Invitations to Multi-party Collaboration Opportunities
When IRIN identifies suitable synergies between multiple researchers and industry partners, we may invite you to explore shared topics or multi-disciplinary initiatives.
From introductions to structured collaboration
WE HELP BUSINESSES SEE THE OPPORTUNITY, AND CONNECT THEM TO THE RIGHT RESEARCH CAPABILITY.
An introduction is only the beginning. Where a business problem and a university capability genuinely align, we help both sides understand what a collaboration could look like — shaping the joint research question and connecting the right research resources to it.
The collaborative programs below are co-invested: the business contributes its own funding and effort alongside the research partner. They are not grants, and they are not something we apply for on your behalf. What we do is help you recognise whether an opportunity is worth exploring, and who to explore it with.
ARC Linkage Projects
The Australian Research Council's Linkage Projects scheme supports research collaboration between universities and industry partners, with the industry partner contributing cash and in-kind investment. We help businesses recognise when a problem could support that kind of partnership, and connect them with researchers whose capability fits.
Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA)
AEA supports university research moving toward commercial application, with industry participation. We help businesses identify where their own technical problem intersects with research already underway, and make the introduction to the team behind it.
Beyond the introduction
However a collaboration is ultimately structured and funded, we run the joint research itself — scoping, experiment design, evidence and reporting — under one governance framework, so the collaboration delivers findings rather than paperwork. That is the part we do.
Where we stop: we identify opportunities and connect research capability. We do not prepare funding applications, and we do not promise funding outcomes. Whether any program suits your project depends on its structure, partners and investment — always confirm current requirements with the administering body.
Have a problem that could support a research partnership — or research looking for an industry home?
How to join
For Researchers
Send a Simple Email
Share your research area and the types of industry conversations or collaborations you are open to. That’s all we need to get started.
A Short Intro Chat (Optional)
If you’d like, we can have a brief chat to better understand your work and interests. This helps us keep you in mind when relevant opportunities arise.
Researcher Profile & Feature
With your permission, we will create a short profile or feature story on IRIN to introduce your expertise to Australian enterprises.
Opportunity-Based Introductions
When we see natural alignment between your research and ongoing initiatives from enterprises in our network, we will reach out to you for potential introductions. There is no obligation to participate.
Stay Connected
You may update your interests or share new work anytime, helping us keep your profile current and visible.
General information only — not tax, financial or legal advice. IRIN introductions and pathway guidance are educational and do not constitute an eligibility assessment or application support. Whether any program suits your project depends on its structure and circumstances — confirm current rules with the Australian Government (business.gov.au and ato.gov.au) or a registered tax agent.