Research, Development and Innovation Program
The NIIN RD&I Program is a core mechanism for translating research into impact at scale.
The NIIN RD&I Program is how the network translates research into impact at scale. It brings together three connected pillars - Research Chairs, Industry Alumni and Specialised Centres - under a single program, recognising that real industry impact requires all three working together.
Positioned within leading universities and embedded in an industry-led network, the program spans national priority areas including AI, cybersecurity, health, advanced networking and critical infrastructure. Aligned to the Research, Development and Innovation agenda shaping Australia's national priorities, it drives collaborative innovation end to end - from problem definition through to prototyping, testing and deployment - giving every NIIN partner access to the full suite of RD&I capability.
Research Chair Program
The NIIN Research Chair Program is a core mechanism for translating research into impact at scale.
Positioned within leading universities and embedded in an industry-led network, Research Chairs bring together research excellence, industry insight and real-world application. Focused on national priority areas such as AI, cybersecurity, health and critical infrastructure, they drive collaborative innovation—from problem definition through to prototyping, testing and deployment.
Industry Alumni Program
The Industry Alumni Program connects experienced technology professionals and former Cisco leaders with NIIN initiatives.
Alumni contribute strategic insight, technical expertise and mentorship to support applied research, strengthen industry engagement, and accelerate the translation of innovation into real-world impact.
Specialised Centres
Focused research environments. Real-world outcomes.
NIIN's Specialised Centres are dedicated research and innovation environments that bring together university expertise, industry capability and Cisco technology to address some of Australia's most pressing digital challenges. Each centre is anchored by a Cisco Research Chair and operates with a clear mandate: to translate research into practical, deployable solutions.
Translating research
into impact at scale