Search Grants & Funding

Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants provide funding to support short-term (up to 3 years), industry-led research collaborations.

Projects must:

• develop a product, service or process that will solve problems for industry and deliver real outcomes
• benefit small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

You can use the funding to cover costs directly related to your project including:

• new research
• proof of concept activities
• pre-commercialisation of research outcomes
• industry-focused education and training activities
• conferences, workshops, symposia related to the joint research
• information sharing and communications related to the research.

This is not a complete list and other costs may also be eligible.

There is no specific amount of funding allocated to each CRC-P round. The number of CRC Projects funded in each selection round depends on the applications received and available Program funding.

Applicants must at least match the amount of grant funding sought through cash and/or in-kind contributions.

To be eligible as a lead applicant you must:

• be an SME
• have an Australian business number (ABN)
• be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• be incorporated in Australia and a trading corporation.

Your trading activities must be either:

• enough to be called a trading corporation
• a major, not minor, part of your overall activity.

Project partners must include:

• a lead applicant which is an Australian industry entity SME
• a second Australian industry organisation of any size
• 1 Australian research organisation.

The lead SME organisation must submit the application form.

CRC Grants are part of the CRC Program. The CRC Program supports industry, research and the community in 2 ways:

• CRC Grants – support medium to long term industry-led collaborative research of between 3 and 10 years.
• CRC Projects (CRC-P) grants – support short term, industry-led collaborative research, for up to 3 years.

CRC Grants provide funding for collaborations to solve industry identified problems.

CRCs must:

• be a medium to long-term industry-led collaborative research program
• aim to solve industry identified problems and improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries
• include an industry-focused education and training program, including a PhD program that builds capability and capacity
• increase research and development (R&D) capacity in small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
• encourage industry take up of research

There is no specified limit to funding for each CRC. However, the number of CRC Grants funded in each selection round depends on the applications received and available funding.

Applicants must at least match the amount of grant funding sought through cash and/or in-kind contributions.

Eligibility

Eligible activities must relate directly to the project and may include:

• new research
• proof of concept activities
• pre-commercialisation of research outcomes
• industry-focused education and training
• conferences, workshops and communications
• related information sharing and communication initiatives
• collaboration with international organisations providing national benefits to Australia.

You can only spend grant funds on expenses outlined in your grant agreement. You can find more information on eligibility in the CRC Program Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

The Industry Growth Program has been established to support innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas. Participating businesses will have access to Advisory Services to help them overcome the significant challenges that may be associated with their projects.

Commercialisation and growth projects are intended to include those that can already demonstrate completion of feasibility studies and proof-of-concept. Projects are intended to include the journey of product, process or service development from early prototyping through to actual application in its final form, and the capability to scale up to full rate production and grow into new markets.

Participants in the Advisory Service may apply for Commonwealth grant funding to support specific commercialisation and/or growth projects.

The commercialisation and growth stages may include developing marketplace strategies for entry to market, accelerating growth and scaling up into national and international markets.

The Industry Growth Program has been established to support innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas. Participating businesses will have access to Advisory Services to help them overcome the significant challenges that may be associated with their projects.

Early-stage commercialisation projects are intended to include the journey from feasibility studies and the development of proof-of-concept through to the production and testing of early prototypes in a simulated or theoretical environment. Testing should validate the commercial viability of the innovative product, process or service.

Participants in the Advisory Service may apply for Commonwealth grant funding to support early-stage commercialisation projects.

Early-stage commercialisation is a formative stage in the development where your innovative product, process or service is translated, tested, developed and then refined and demonstrated.

The objective of the Early-Stage Commercialisation grant opportunity is to help businesses to undertake the steps necessary to establish the commercial viability of an innovative product, process or service, including steps to undertake feasibility and proof-of-concept through to prototyping.

The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Minor changes or improvements to existing products or services are not considered innovative.

You will be connected to an Industry Growth Program Adviser who will provide tailored advice to support your commercialisation and/or growth project.

Once you have received this advice, you may also be able to apply for:

• grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
• grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects.

An innovative product, process or service:

• is new, unique or significantly different to any other previous product, process or service in the market or industry where the product is intended to be sold/traded; or
•  involves significant enhancements or developments of current products, processes or services that will enable the business to scale and transform.

Early-stage commercialisation projects are intended to include the journey from feasibility studies and the development of proof-of-concept through to the production and testing of early prototypes in a simulated or theoretical environment. Testing should validate the commercial viability of the innovative product, process or service. Various scales are typically referenced to demonstrate technology readiness or market readiness, with one example commonly referenced being Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). As a guide, early-stage commercialisation grant projects are intended to broadly include the journey through TRL3 to TRL6.

Commercialisation and growth projects are intended to include those that can already demonstrate completion of feasibility studies and proof-of-concept. Projects are intended to include the journey of product, process or service development from early prototyping through to actual application in its final form, and the capability to scale up to full rate production and grow into new markets. Various scales are typically referenced to demonstrate technology readiness or market readiness, with one example commonly referenced being Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). As a guide, commercialisation and growth grant projects are intended to broadly include the journey through TRL4 to TRL9.