Typically, CRCs are designed to contribute to the structure of regional/national research systems. Therefore, they should be self-sustaining.  This means either that

1. they continue to exist after public funding has expired; or that
2. they produce outcomes that continue to exist after the cessation of public funding.

Both of these aims have their own rationale and each will shape the way CRCs are structured and how they function. Therefore,

• Try to recognise at an early stage in the life of a CRC whether it is likely to “continue” (i.e., use evaluations to probe for future plans), and avoid artificially prolonging their lifespan.
• Be realistic concerning sustainability: e.g., the more public outputs your CRC is producing, the more likely it will rely on public funding.  CRCs that work in high risk research areas are also more likely to require government support. Sustainability may then be a secondary issue, but a major sign of success.
• The lifespan of a funded CRC is, typically, 3 – 10 years.  If it is desired to “continue” the CRC, then consider innovative ways which would allow the CRC to accrue funds for use in its post-funding phase. One option would be, for example, to establish a foundation.
• However, beware of excessive focus on sustainability rather than on current quality