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TRAM FAQ

Q. What is TRaM?

TRaM stands for Translating Research at Melbourne.

TRaM is an experiential program designed specifically for the research community to build researcher capability in research commercialisation, with guidance and support from experienced research commercialisation experts, mentors and advisors.

The program consists of three components: bootcamp (two days), TRaM Track (eight weeks, one day per week) and TRaM Runway (12 weeks, one day per week).

Boot Camp

  • A two-day experiential workshop that serves as part of the selection process for the ‘TRaM Track’ program
  • Addresses the question “who cares?”
  • Get exposure to key approaches and frameworks for success
  • Test if your research solves a problem that people care about
  • Meet like-minded researchers

TRaM Track

  • An experiential eight-week program (one day per week) to sequentially work through the Lean LaunchPad curriculum to assess “problem:solution fit” as it applies to each team’s opportunity
  • Addresses “what do customers want?”
  • Find customers who have a critical problem to solve
  • Design and test “experiments” to identify a business model
  • Start to build a business team
  • Teams are led though market validation and business model generation based on iteratively interviewing end users and potential customers.
  • Acts as the selection process for Runway program

TRaM Runway

  • An experiential 12-week program (one day per week) for each team to further develop and validate its business model and to progress its commercial planning
  • Addresses the question “can we deliver it?”
  • Develop and validate your business model
  • Connect to external advisors to accelerate impact
  • Strengthen your team
  • Co-location with the program leaders and mentors
  • Teams have access to funds for commercial advancement (provided by the team’s faculty or institute) to accelerate commercial insight

TRaM Air

  • A research commercialisation incubator available to TRaM graduates
  • Ongoing support to assist teams on their business journey
  • Access to office space, co-located with the program team, mentors and other TRaM graduates

Who is eligible to apply to TRaM?

All researchers employed by the University of Melbourne and any of the institutions that are part of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct are eligible for the program, along with their students and collaborators. To find out if you’re eligible to apply, please contact the TRaM team.

Who should apply?

Those who want to

  • improve their understanding and skills in research commercialisation
  • explore alternate career paths for researchers
  • explore alternate ways to deliver research impact
  • explore taking your research to market
  • in a safe and supportive environment.

Q. Why should I apply?

A. The TRaM program is designed specifically for the researcher community.

TRaM teams receive:

  • Structured training, mentoring and network development
  • Up to $25K funding per team to accelerate commercial insight (subject to conditions)
  • Hosting at TRaM’s office at Level 5, 204 Lygon Street, and access the broader entrepreneurship network

Q. How do I get in?

A. To be selected into TRaM you will need:

  • Team of two or more people where at least one team participant is a research employee of the University or Institute (i.e. research appointment)
  • All team members to commit at least 0.2 FTE per participant for the duration of the TRaM program they are participating in (Team members are not required to be full-time employees, but do need a contract with the University or Institute that extends until at least June 2020)
  • All team members are required to be available for program commitments (one day per week from May-November 2019) including the bootcamp (our bootcamp forms part of the selection process)
  • A letter of support from the relevant Dean or Department Head
  • To sign a media release and participation agreement (which will be made available at the start of the program)
  • To demonstrate that the Intellectual Property (IP) the team is using is:
    • owned by the University or Institute; or
    • individually owned or created IP (which will need to be assigned to the University or Institute and then made available to the team as part of an IP agreement); or
    • third party IP (i.e. owned by another organisation) which is covered by a formal (e.g. collaboration) agreement with your Institution
  • To have briefed your local Technology Transfer Office or Business Development representative on your intention to participate in TRaM with this project.

Q. What do I need to get from the Dean / Department Head in my letter?

A. University and Institute executives have been briefed on the program and a letter template is available for teams. Key areas covered off are:

  • Release of researcher/s for a 0.2 FTE time commitment for the duration of the program (five months) and recognition of importance of program to University or Institute aims
  • Underwriting of (up to) $25,000 in funding from the (lead) faculty or Institute to support teams successfully accepted into the program
  • IP declaration.

Q. What does the Intellectual Property (IP) ownership declaration need to contain?

A. Together with endorsement from your Faculty or Institute, you will need to be able to demonstrate that what the Intellectual Property team is using is:

  • owned by the University or Institute; or
  • individually owned or created IP (which will need to be assigned to the University or Institute and then made available to the team as part of IP agreement); or
  • third party IP (i.e. owned by another organisation) which is covered by a formal (e.g. collaboration) agreement with your Institution.

Q. I am a team of one, or an individual, can I still apply?

A. TRaM is only open to teams. Individuals are encouraged to sign up to the TraM newsletter and look out for future events to meet and network with likeminded individuals to get involved with the TRaM community – this is where some of our most successful teams have found each other!

Q. Is the faculty / institute investment required per person or per team?

A. The lead Faculty or Institute investment of up to $25K is per team, not per participant.

Note, TRaM does not retain any of the money requested from the faculty / institute.

Q. What can the team funding be used for?

A. Once TRaM teams successfully complete the initial (eight-week) TRaM Track program, and are selected into the Runway program, the investment could be used to accelerate commercial insight and reach an appropriate investment inflexion point.

Subject to agreement with the TRaM team and team mentors, this may include:

  • Prototyping or product demonstration
  • Minimum viable product development
  • Travel (e.g. where clearly for the purposes of customer discovery/commercial development meetings)
  • Competitor analysis
  • Professional services