Our Focus

Supporting the growth of Australia

The Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer is building capability and value in small and medium enterprises across Australia’s lithium-ion, nickel-cobalt, technology minerals and energy industry sectors. The program will enable the optimisation of resource operations by developing exciting new technologies, and equipping our innovators with the skills and knowledge to transform the sector.

Our Trailblazer works across three key objective areas:

University Transformation
Technology Readiness
Commercialisation

University Transformation

Effecting deep and lasting change in the way commercialisation and industry-led research is embedded, facilitated and rewarded in universities by:

  • Allowing best practices and impactful reforms to be shared across university partnerships
  • Enabling rapid implementation for change across industry and research
  • Providing new entrepreneurship opportunities for researchers and students
  • Reforming intellectual property (IP) policy and procedures
  • Increasing research infrastructure access

As the lead university, Curtin University is committed to taking additional steps to transform its engagement with industry to accelerate commercialisation outcomes.

Technology Readiness

Partnering with industry to de-risk new technologies, building effective pathways for SMEs, investors and industry to adopt and implement new ways of working by:

  • Building on the world-class research strengths of Curtin University, The University of Queensland and James Cook University across commodity lifecycles
  • Empowering industry partners to better adopt and streamline implementation of technologies
  • Improving the commercial investment viability and accelerating deployment of new technologies
  • Driving corporate innovation for SMEs and investors while boosting productivity for industry

Commercialisation

Becoming a world leader in translating research outcomes into new exciting products, services and industry processes by:

  • Championing a sustained commitment and vision to support new models of industry collaboration, startup and scaleup
  • Providing capability building opportunities like the National Energy Transition Accelerator
  • Connecting industry to the latest research information and outcomes
  • Delivering a focused approach to the management of intellectual property for researchers
  • Establishing the Curtin Venture Studio to accelerate new business and foster job creation

A collaborative partnership between

Curtin University

The Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education through the Trailblazer Universities Program.

The Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer acknowledges all First Nations people of the ancestral lands on which we operate. We pay our respects to all First Nations people, and to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their deep knowledge and their cultural, spiritual and educational practices, and aspire to learn and teach in partnership with them. We are committed to working in partnership with all Custodians and Owners to strengthen and embed First Nations’ voices and perspectives in our decision-making, now and into the future.

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