Projects and Payments Approval

Policy for Approving Projects

Within the first few months a policy should be developed and approved by the Board that outlines how research and commercialisation projects will be developed and approved.

What are the timelines for project development and approvals?
Who is able to develop project proposals?
What is the approval process for proposed projects?

Process for Approving Project Payments

A process should be approved by the Board that describes the process for approving payment to project delivery partners for project delivery. All payments should be:

recorded
made against milestones being met
have relevant approvals

See example below:

A contract signed by the partners and the delegated officer of the CRC will be required
All potential payments to partners must be listed in a project plan that is approved through a process approved by the Board (see above)
Payments will only be made against an approved Project Plan, and against milestones delivered, to be approved by a relevant officer of the CRC.
Variations to a contract within the total budget limit of the project will need to be approved and signed by the CFO or Chair. Variations to a contract that ~~result~~results in spending above the budget limit imposed by the Board will require Board approval.

Most CRCs manage their activity through a series of Programs and Projects within those programs. However, CRCs are not simply R&D funding bodies that respond to member proposals. While the bidding document forms the initial strategic document for the CRC, the Board must continue to set and adjust the strategic direction. The top-down approach should be balanced with the bottom-up approach to responding to project proposals. CRCs have a great deal of freedom in organising their activities to achieve the desired outcomes.