ON Prime is a free, nine-week program designed to assist research teams in translating their ideas into tangible, real-world impact. The program is open to all disciplines and project stages, providing structured guidance for teams to explore the potential of their work. Participants are supported in developing crucial skills in customer discovery, communication, and evidence-building, helping them to identify and engage with the primary beneficiaries of their research.
Program Overview
• Duration: A nine-week immersive experience.
• Format: Sessions are delivered online every two weeks, complemented by a mix of in-person and virtual workshops. The program structure allows time between sessions for teams to explore their ecosystem and apply their learnings.
• Team Size: Open to teams of two to five members.
• Core Focus: The curriculum centers on customer discovery, strengthening communication skills, and building evidence to support impact pathways.
• Support: Teams receive guidance from expert facilitators and one-on-one mentoring to help clarify their impact goals, which can range from policy influence to new start-up ventures.
• Cost: Free to participate.
Eligibility Criteria
• Team Composition: Applications must be submitted by a team of two to five individuals.
• Researcher Requirement: At least one team member must be a researcher affiliated with an Australian university or a Publicly Funded Research Organisation (PFRO).
• Additional Team Members: The rest of the team may include colleagues, individuals from other research organizations, community representatives, industry partners, university students, or staff involved in research services, technology transfer, or communications.
• Location: All team members must be based in Australia for the duration of the program.
• PFRO Definition: PFROs include Australian higher education providers listed in the Higher Education Support Act 2003, as well as federal, state, and territory government departments or agencies that conduct publicly funded research.
Program Structure and Schedule
• Frequency: ON Prime is conducted twice annually, with cohorts running from April to June and from August to October.
• Learning Model: The program utilizes a blended model of in-person and online learning spread across six facilitated days over the nine-week period.
• Key Milestones: The program begins with a two-day immersion in week one, followed by workshops every two weeks. The structure includes team coaching with a facilitator and guidance from an innovation mentor between sessions.
• Showcase Event: The program concludes in week nine with a showcase where teams present their progress and connect with the wider community. Most showcases are held in person, with a virtual option available.
• Time Commitment: Teams should allocate approximately one day per week to fully participate in program activities.
• Graduation Requirements: To graduate, teams must meet attendance requirements and deliver a final showcase presentation.
• Travel Support: Travel support is provided for required in-person sessions.
Application Process and Key Dates
• Applications Open: 12 January 2026
• Applications Close: 4 March 2026
• Application Outcomes Announced: Mid-March 2026
• Program Begins: Mid-April 2026
• How to Apply: When applications are open, teams can submit an online application through the designated portal.
• Evaluation Criteria: Applications are assessed based on the clarity of the problem being solved, the proposed solution and value proposition, and the identification of potential end-users or customers.
• Review Process: Following submission, the lead organization will be asked to confirm its support. Applications are then reviewed by multiple experts from the ON Program network, and the highest-rated teams are invited to participate.
• Notification: Successful applicants are typically notified approximately four weeks after the application closing date. Unsuccessful applicants receive feedback to assist with future opportunities.
Applicant Briefing Sessions
• Wednesday, 21 January 2026: 10:30am (AEDT)
• Tuesday, 10 February 2026: 9:30am (AEDT)
• Tuesday, 3 March 2026: 11:30am (AEDT)
• Registration: Interested parties must register to attend any of the briefing sessions.
Program Benefits and Outcomes
• Participation Support: Teams may receive up to $5,000 in support payments tied to engagement and milestone completion during the program.
• Potential Outcomes: Past participants have reported attracting new funding sources, establishing partnerships, increasing industry engagement, gaining clarity on research impact, improving communication confidence, strengthening team cohesion, licensing intellectual property, and forming new start-up ventures.
Contact and Further Information
• General Inquiries: The program team can be contacted via email at on@csiro.au.
• Stay Updated: Individuals can subscribe to the mailing list to receive the latest news and opportunities from the ON Program.
• Future Cohorts: An expression of interest form is available for those who wish to be notified about upcoming cohorts.
For researchers and their teams at Australian universities and Publicly Funded Research Organisations, ON Prime offers a structured pathway to explore commercialization and research impact. The program provides the tools, mentorship, and network needed to test assumptions, validate ideas, and develop a clear strategy for moving from discovery to real-world application.