Industry Growth Program Update

The Industry Growth Program (IGP) has quickly become one of Australia’s most in-demand innovation support initiatives. Since its launch in 2023, the program has awarded 96 grants totalling $143million to a range of SMEs — representing the allocation of just over 50% of the original funding pool.

This ‘halfway point’ provides a perfect moment to reflect on the outcomes and distribution of IGP grant funds to date. We’ve reviewed the available data and provided a detailed summary. The analysis highlights the urgency needed for any SMEs that are interested in the program but yet to apply, particularly given that grants can’t be accessed until an initial business advisory process is completed.

The Queensland Government has launched the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF) to strengthen the state’s capacity to manufacture, supply and sustain key goods and services locally. The program supports strategic and catalytic projects in defence, biomedical and biofuels sectors to boost innovation, jobs and regional growth. To learn more read the full article here.

The Australian Government has released the 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Issues Paper, setting priorities that will shape research investment over the next decade. This process will directly influence future MRFF and NHMRC infrastructure funding, with a strong focus on translation, digital capability, sovereign manufacturing and the research workforce.

The State Government’s Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025–30 was recently announced and sets out a five-year roadmap to drive innovation, investment, and regional growth. We’ve summarised the key announcements and what it means for Queensland manufacturers of all sizes.

The Queensland Government’s 2025–26 Budget was handed down this week, representing the first Budget under the new Crisafulli LNP Government. We’ve prepared a sector by sector overview of what’s in store for your business.

Australia has long grappled with the so-called "commercialisation gap”, a persistent disconnect between the quality of our research and the extent to which it’s translated into economic impact. A new report from CSIRO provides an up to date picture of what outcomes can (and can’t) be expected from government programs designed to support it.

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) Program continues to empower Australian SMEs by providing 50:50 matched funding for export promotion and marketing development. Austrade has recently released data summarising key trends from previous completed rounds of the program highlighting how EMDG funding has helped Australian businesses expand internationally.

The Industry Growth Program (IGP) is gaining momentum, with $29M awarded so far to support Australian SMEs commercialising innovative projects. From renewables to defence, funding is flowing across key sectors aligned with the National Reconstruction Fund.

Austrade has provided updates for prospective Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) recipients, following the amended application process undertaken in November 2024 for Round 4 of the popular program for Australian SME exporters.

With the election complete, various grant programs that were put on-hold have re-opened for applications. It’s important for businesses to be aware of these grant opportunities and the upcoming application deadlines, but also to understand the impacts a change of government might have on grant funding availability.

Australia distributes nearly $1 billion in government grants to businesses each year, but are these investments delivering real impact?

A summary over the previous quarter of developments in the world of competitive grant funding, including grant funding opportunities and the update to the National Science and Research Priorities.

Update on the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG), Round 4

State governments across Australia regularly offer grant funding that can provide a cash boost for your business.