Researchers IMPACT Progam 2022

Open your research to new opportunities

Designed to Provide a Supportive Pathway for Assessment of IMPACT Potential for Macquarie University Research Groups, Researchers and HDR Candidates.

Course Overview:

As Government funding for research has continued to decrease, coupled with growing pressure on university budgets, researchers need to seek alternate funding sources to continue their work.

This program is a blended learning experience for researchers and HDR Candidates to actively assess the path of their research to IMPACT and turn their ideas into reality.

The program provides an interactive, practical and cohort-based approach that takes researchers through the process of:
• customer discovery
• product market fit
• the impact and value proposition canvas'
• developing clarity around your researchers' potential impact

This program will also increase your ability to:
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and industry engagement
• Secure funding from alternate sources
• Understand what is needed to take your impact to the next level

At the finalisation of the program, you will have learnt how to articulate what you are doing and why. You will also have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of experts to potentially be awarded research funding, (and subject to Macquarie University terms and conditions), to further develop the potential IMPACT of your research discovery.

Ultimately participants will have learned new skills that will allow them to successfully translate their research into benefits for their end users and successfully raise funds and make evidence-based decisions about their research, pursuing the best pathway for maximum impact.

Start Date
 4 June 2026
Application Close Date
 TBC
Cost Nil
Duration 20 weeks
Location Macquarie University Incubator, 8 Hadenfeld Ave, Macquarie University, 2109 and Online
Course Code NA
Course Recognition Online Certification and Badge
Contact Email [email protected]
Funding Opportunity to receive research funding
NOTE: We are open to researchers and HDR candidates from other universities and research institutes wanting to develop their skillset and translate their discoveries to impact.

Taking Applications for 2026

Program Structure

Overview:

Information Session
 4th June (Thursday)
Stage 1 - Preparing for Impact & Translation
Module 1: Who is in your network?
 11th June (Thursday)
Module 2: What might they want?
 18th June (Thursday)
Module 3: How can you be useful to the market?
 25th June (Thursday)
IMPACT 1 on 1's 6th July (Thursday)
Module 4: How to strategically supercharge IMPACT 16th July (Thursday)
Stage 2 - Planning for Impact & Translation
Module 5: Refining your critical assumptions 23rd July (Thursday)
Module 6: Turning plans into action 6th August (Thursday)
Stage 3 - Pitching for Funding
Pitching Master Class TBD
Pitch 1 on 1 Sessions TBD
Pitch Practice Sessions
 TBD
IMPACT Pitch Final Sessions
 TBD

What You Need To Apply

• A research idea that you think may positively impact people, the planet or that could have commercial potential
• Willingness to commit to program and come with an open and learner mindset.
• Be a current researcher or HDR Candidate at Macquarie University.
• Interested in securing further funding to take your research / idea to the next stage
• Be a current researcher or HDR candidate at a university or research institute

Application Process

• Expressions of interest
• Panel Interview – presentation and Q&A session
• Offer to participate