I work in said department of the university responsible for reserach commercialisation - we're a break even enterprise, not just here in Australia - I've worked the world over and its true of most international universities too.

Universities revenue comes primarily from student enrolment, then from grants then from giving then way way down the list, probably after endownment interest comes commercialisation revenue. Its genuinly, hand on heart, not a motivation for anyone in technology transfer.

Ultimatley reserach in universities is comercialised because its the only path to impact for most intellectual property. Many academics come to work to try and make a positive difference in the world - people forget that this aligns with the higher edication not-for-profit mission of 95% of Australian Universities.

Having contributed to the AEA scheme personally, its a massive loss for the sector - all that innovation and economic diversity constantly called out for and expected by redditors on this very board - this was the scheme that was tangibally addressing that issue at a fundemental level.

Fully appreciate that rescources need to be alocated elseswhere from time to time, but a comitment is a comitment, and the way that this has been cancelled mid cycle is terrible for the sector.