National Horticultural Research Network - Horticulture Industry ...

National Horticultural Research Network
Implementing the future Framework September 2010
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6.2.1.1 Project generation under the Framework
The following sets out the communications flow and actions sequence for the development of projects
for an industry - between a Major Agency and the Support Agencies for that industry.
Table 36. Project development under the Framework
Action
Comment
1. Current industry strategic plans and
agency strategic investment plans
available and consulted
2. Agency internal project development
processes*
Expectation is that researchers will contact potential
collaborators/agency contacts in the development of
proposals and in discussion with HAL and industry.
If no collaboration results, the discussion should be
3. Agency NHRN members forward
project concepts from their agency to
other relevant NHRN members and
seek feedback
reflected in the proposal to inform HAL.
Project concepts sent to “Major” and “Support”
agency reps, who send on to the agency contacts
listed in the PISC Framework. A concept might be
the project title and an explanatory sentence. This
step is effectively to inform of an intended project
to ensure that collaborative linkages are captured
and proposals combined/linked as appropriate.
4. Discussions and project refinement by
research groups and collaborators
For combined projects, need agreement on who
would be principal researcher.
5. Agency feedback to researchers on
project and collaborative opportunities
6. Submission to HAL NHRN seen as a facilitator of the process rather
than another approval step
*projects would normally be developed by “Major” and “Support” agencies - in collaboration where
appropriate. In many cases, projects would be under development prior to the release of the industry
strategic plans.
6.2.1.2 Major agency leads interaction with industry
With the identification of Major Agencies there is an opportunity for a more direct engagement of the
Major Agency with the industry and HAL in their planning processes and the development of their
R&D investment plans. The Major Agency for each crop would represent the interests of NHRN
agencies and provide input to HAL planning processes on agency investment priorities and
capabilities. Involvement of Support Agencies would occur as required, coordinated through the
Major agencies.
6.2.1.3 Major agency leads coordinated, national programs
Major Agencies would also be the logical first point of contact for HAL to assist with the
development of longer-term (five-year), collaborative, national RD&E programs for the industry. The
Major Agency‟s responsibility would be to coordinate the engagement of their own resources with
those of other research providers through the NHRN.
These coordinated national programs bring a number of benefits, including:
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