Commercialisation principles

Where commercialisation is the appropriate method to deliver on purpose, GRDC will:

• Establish and maintain ownership of intellectual property generated from GRDC investments and seek to maximise the benefit to Australian grain growers from the exploitation of that intellectual property.
• Prioritise the delivery of a benefit to Australian grain growers over the potential for commercial returns to GRDC.
• Facilitate the delivery of R&D outcomes to Australian grain growers by selecting the most appropriate and sustainable commercialisation pathway.
• Actively seek to recover a commercial return from non-investing third parties that utilise IP derived from GRDC investments.
• Where appropriate, encourage private sector co-investment and involvement at any stage in the development and/or delivery of R&D that has the potential to benefit grain growers.
• Grant periods of exclusivity to IP only where this is required to maximise the efficient and effective development &/or delivery to growers.
• Plan and execute an appropriate exit strategy from commercial arrangements where ongoing involvement of GRDC is no longer desirable or required to maintain benefit to Australian grain growers.
• Consider commercialisation of intellectual property outside of Australia only if:
  • it can be clearly demonstrated that no disadvantage to Australian grain growers will arise; and
  • it will enhance the Australian grain industry’s competitive position; and/or
  • it is necessary to underpin the sustainability of commercialisation; and/or
  • the probability of IP leakage to non-investing third parties is sufficiently high to warrant formal commercial activities in international jurisdictions
• Income generated from the commercialisation of R&D outputs will be re-invested consistent with the GRDC purpose.
• Outcomes of commercialisation activities will be measured and regularly reported to the GRDC Board, government, and stakeholders.