Applied Skills Training Fund
The Applied Skills Training Fund is an initiative of Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Education & Training Program designed to strengthen workforce capability by supporting targeted vocational, technical, and applied skills development relevant to marine bioproducts research, development, and commercialisation.
The Fund provides targeted financial support for eligible Marine Bioproducts CRC participants to undertake training that addresses an identified skills or capability gap and develops practical capabilities relevant to their current or future contribution to the marine bioproducts sector.
Eligible activities may include vocational training modules, certified short courses, technical workshops, licences, accreditations, and other applied training delivered by Registered Training Organisations, universities, professional bodies, industry organisations, or recognised specialist providers.
Applications are accepted year-round and assessed subject to eligibility, available funding, and Marine Bioproducts CRC approval.
frequently asked questions
What is the applied skills training fund?
The Applied Skills Training Fund supports targeted vocational, technical, and applied skills development that addresses identified capability gaps relevant to Australia’s marine bioproducts sector.
The Fund is designed to complement, rather than duplicate, existing research, education, and workplace training by enabling access to specialised skills development that may not otherwise be readily available or funded through existing projects, employers, universities, or institutions.
Through targeted investment in practical capability development, the Fund aims to strengthen industry-relevant skills that support marine bioproducts research, technology development, manufacturing, product development, research translation, and commercialisation.
Who can apply?
The Applied Skills Training Fund is available to individuals actively engaged in Marine Bioproducts CRC-supported activities, including:
- Staff from Core and Supporting Industry Partners;
- Marine Bioproducts CRC Higher Degree Research Scholars, including PhD, Masters and Honours students;
- Recipients of Marine Bioproducts CRC-supported scholarships and workforce initiatives;
- Postdoctoral researchers and professional or research staff working on Marine Bioproducts CRC projects; and
- Collaborators with a demonstrated connection to Marine Bioproducts CRC research, industry, commercialisation, or translation activities.
Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed training is relevant to their role or development within the marine bioproducts sector and addresses an identified applied skills or capability need.
Can scholars from the Marine Bioproducts CRC education & training program apply?
While Higher Degree Research Scholars are eligible to apply, the Fund is primarily focused on developing practical and technical capability that supports industry engagement and workforce needs. Applications from Scholars should demonstrate a clear and timely connection to industry activity or an identified industry-relevant skills gap. For example, a Scholar undertaking an industry placement or working closely with an Industry Partner may be eligible where specific training is required to effectively participate in that activity. Priority is likely to be given to Scholars earlier in their candidature where the skills gained can be applied through meaningful industry engagement or throughout their research. Training sought primarily toward the end of a candidature, with limited opportunity to apply the skills within an industry or Marine Bioproducts CRC context, would not normally be eligible.
What is the funding availability?
Funding of up to $3,000 per recipient is available to support approved training activities. A limited number of awards are available each year, subject to available program funding.
Funding amounts may vary depending on the nature and demonstrated cost of the approved activity. Applicants are encouraged to identify other available funding or co-contributions where appropriate; however, co-funding is not mandatory unless specified as a condition of approval. Funding is competitive and eligibility does not guarantee funding.
What can the fund cover?
Funding may support:
- Course enrolment, tuition, certification, licensing, or professional accreditation fees, including vocational training and certified short courses relevant to marine bioproducts research and industry.
- Specialised technical workshops and industry training programs that address an identified applied skills or capability gap.
- Applied skills licences and certifications, such as coxswain or forklift certification, where relevant to research, industry, or workplace activities.
- Reasonable travel and accommodation required to access approved training.
- Essential course materials or other directly related costs required to complete the approved training.
Examples of relevant training areas may include bioprocessing technologies, aquaculture operations, marine biotechnology, laboratory and analytical methods, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, manufacturing, workplace safety, technical licences, and other industry-recognised technical credentials relevant to marine bioproducts activities.
What doesn’t the fund cover?
The Fund is not intended to support:
- General conference attendance or networking events;
- General professional or career development without a clear applied or technical skills outcome;
- Routine university, research project, or workplace training;
- Equipment purchases;
- Activities that would ordinarily be funded through an existing research project, employer, university, or institution; or
- Training with limited demonstrated relevance to an identified industry or marine bioproducts capability need.
Activities outside these categories may be considered where there is a strong demonstrated alignment with the purpose of the Fund.
How are applications assessed?
The Fund is not intended to support:
- General conference attendance or networking events;
- General professional or career development without a clear applied or technical skills outcome;
- Routine university, research project, or workplace training;
- Equipment purchases;
- Activities that would ordinarily be funded through an existing research project, employer, university, or institution; or
- Training with limited demonstrated relevance to an identified industry or marine bioproducts capability need.
Activities outside these categories may be considered where there is a strong demonstrated alignment with the purpose of the Fund.
What happens if my application is successful?
Successful applicants will receive written confirmation of the approved training activity, funding amount, eligible expenditure, and any conditions of funding before undertaking the activity.
Material changes to the approved training activity or budget must receive prior approval from the Marine Bioproducts CRC.
Following completion of the training, recipients will be required to provide evidence of participation or completion and a short outcomes report outlining the skills or capabilities developed, how these will be applied, and any benefit to their research, employment, industry engagement, or broader Marine Bioproducts CRC activities. Evidence of expenditure or financial acquittal may also be required.
How do I apply?
Applicants must submit an Applied Skills Training Fund application outlining:
- The proposed training activity and training provider;
- The identified skills or capability need being addressed;
- How the training is relevant to the applicant’s role, professional development, industry engagement, or Marine Bioproducts CRC-supported activities;
- The expected benefit of the training and how the skills gained will be applied;
- The proposed budget and funding requested; and
- Details of any other funding or co-contributions available.
Supporting information from an employer, supervisor, Industry Partner, or other relevant organisation may be requested or provided where it helps demonstrate the need for and relevance of the proposed training.
For more details or to express your interest, please contact: info@mbcrc.com