Explanatory Notes
How to get started with your research project and maximize your chances of success.
The AAA Ltd. is the primary body representing and promoting the alpaca industry in Australia. We believe Research and Development is a vital component in building a strong and progressive future for the industry and our members.

Our Aim
The AAA Ltd. R&D portfolio has been set up with the aim of facilitating and supporting research efforts for the betterment of the industry, our members and to improve the welfare of our animals.

By partnering with professional research organizations when required, AAA Ltd. will ensure that all research projects are conducted to internationally accepted best practice standards. This protects the interests of the researcher and maximises the successful outcomes of the project. Our policy is to conduct all discussions, evaluations and reviews with research applicants in the strictest commercial confidence.

Registering your research project
You can register your research proposal with the Chairperson of the R & D portfolio (via the National Office). Once the proposal has been evaluated, usually in a very short time frame, you will be contacted for further discussion.

What type of project is yours?
Primarily we look at research proposals as three types. At any stage you can apply to move your project from one type to another depending on your needs.

Advisory projects are ones where the researcher simply wishes to advise AAA Ltd.of their work. No funding is sought from AAA Ltd. at this point and no potential exposure in any AAA Ltd. media is being sought.

Facilitated projects provide access to industry networking, as well as project review, limited resources by negotiation and potential exposure to AAA Ltd. media, conferences and regional seminars.

Supported projects are ones where the researcher is requiring a higher level of support, funding assistance, significant resources, and potential exposure to AAA Ltd. media, conferences and regional seminars

For Facilitated and Supported projects it is mandatory that you provide full details of your project objectives, anticipated outcomes, research methodology and support requirements. This information is kept in the strictest confidence necessary to protect all stakeholders.

Why should you register your project with AAA Ltd?
By registering your project you are immediately connected to an array of resources and support facilities which will help you achieve your aims. All research proposals are treated with strict confidentiality until public disclosure is agreed upon. Registration will also provide the following benefits:

* Market & Industry exposure
The AAA provides several important avenues to expose your work to the industry in the form of conferences, seminars, official magazines, newsletters and web sites to name a few. As long as the criteria for Facilitated and Supported projects have been met, we are happy to make these avenues available to you.

* Legal
It is a sad fact that we live in a litigious world. This is doubly so when issues relating to animal welfare can add to the complexity and legal risk of a project. Even the most highly qualified or well intentioned breeder can innocently find themselves in difficulties if their research methodology is not conducted in the correct manner. We can suggest options available to you to adopt practices that will ensure smooth progress of your project.

* Support
There are often other members, institutions and professionals who are undertaking similar efforts or are very interested in supporting an endeavour such as your project. We can facilitate contact to provide you with technical help, material resources, key contacts and can even help you obtain funding if it is required.

The skills within the AAA Ltd. membership base and our strategic partners are very high. Focussing these towards your project can only be a major benefit.

* Credibility
The hard work of your project can be undermined or remain unrecognized due to simple oversights or omissions. An error in your methodology, incorrectly formatted documentation or reporting structure could severely undermine all your hard work. By reviewing your methodology and ensuring its compliance to global best practice, your work will be recognized by professionals both locally and internationally. Ratification by the AAA Ltd. will provide strong credibility if you are looking to further your work or moving forward to a commercial opportunity. It will also greatly enhance your chances of obtaining external funding.

* Commercial Opportunity
Your research project may end up providing you with a commercial opportunity. We are able to assist by putting you in touch with a range of people and resources who could potentially help you take the next step.

* Avoiding Duplication
Whilst your proposal may be an excellent one, it is possible there is already such a project under way. Alternatively, a situation may arise where focusing your research in a particular area of emphasis would be advantageous to industry players, thereby increasing your chance of project acceptance or obtaining external funding.

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR PROJECT
Advisory Projects
There is no hard and fast format for registering your advisory project. Please e-mail the Chair of the R&D portfolio (via the National Office) with the following information:

About You	Tell us about you, your contact details, some background
About your project	Tell us a bit about your project
Timing	How long do you expect your project to run? What is the timing of key milestones anticipated?
Anticipated Outcomes	What do you hope to achieve with your project?
Assistance	Is there anything we can do to help you get started or make things easier?

Facilitated and Supported Projects
These projects can significantly draw on resources, and as a result we need to have more detailed scrutiny of your proposal. Any information highlighted by you as Commercial in Confidence will not be disclosed to any third party without your written consent. Generic information such as project overview and key outcomes and milestones may need to be disclosed to the AAA Ltd. membership for the purposes of evaluating your proposal.

Click Here to download an application form.