Grant Expectations: The Latest in Innovation Funding
A summary of the latest updates in the fast-moving world of competitive grant funding for start-ups and SMEs undertaking innovation and R&D in Australia.
National Programs
Australia has a number of national-scale, ongoing programs to support innovation and R&D across a range of sectors.
Industry Growth Program: despite a diminishing pool of funds, Australia’s flagship program for supporting Australian SME’s commercialise innovative ideas is still open and providing up to $5M for SMEs. Prospective applicants with strong projects are encouraged to engage with the program to access the valuable advisory component and keep program demand high to ensure continued federal support.
Open now – ongoing.
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P): popular program providing up to $3M to facilitate short-term industry-led collaborations between industry and research to commercialise ideas that solve industry problems. The current CRC-P round priority is projects that develop or leverage novel AI systems and models.
Round 19 open now – closing 12 May.
AEA Innovate: up to $5M to support university-led collaborations with industry that advance mid-stage research commercialisation.
Round 3 EOIsopen 18 May.
CSIRO Kick-Start: matched funding of up to $50,000 to access CSIRO research expertise to progress R&D and refine innovative concepts. Great opportunity for SMEs to find early research collaborators in CSIRO.
Open now – ongoing.
Around the Country – State Based Funding
Knowing your state or territory’s primary innovation support mechanism is critical to accessing a more competitive source of funds and aligning with your local innovation support bodies. Savvy businesses can leverage both national and state-based funding opportunities.
VIC: Breakthrough Victoria is Victoria’s primary innovation support mechanism, offering direct investment into promising start-ups and SMEs commercialising ideas and innovation in priority sectors. Average investment size for research translation and pre-seed phase is $150,000.
Open now – ongoing.
NSW: supports commercialisation pathways for NSW start-ups and SMEs via the MVP Ventures Program. Offers up to $75,000 of matched funding, dependent on the funding stream.
Closed– expected reopening Q3 2026.
Graduates of the MVP Ventures Program or more advanced companies can access additional later-stage commercialisation support through programs such as the Early Stage Technology Commercialisation Fund and the Medical Devices Fund.
QLD: Queensland businesses can access up to $200,000 in matched funding through the Ignite Program. The Ignite program has a number of sub-programs catered towards product development stage, including non-funding mentoring and support.
Closed – expected reopening Q2 2026.
SA: Part of South Australia’s Research Innovation Fund, Seed-Start offers South Australian start-ups with matched funding of up to $100,000 for Seed Grants and up to $500,00 for Start Grants, to commercialise unique products and services.
Open now – ongoing.
WA: Western Australia’s New Industries and Innovation Fund provides support for WA start-ups via the Innovation Booster grant and the Commercialisation Bridge Grant. Up to $50,000 and $200,000 is available for the respective programs to support WA commercialise new ideas and create scalable businesses.
Closed– expected reopening Q3 2026.
TAS: Tasmania does not have a single innovation support program, but rather a number of sector or technology specific-funds to access. These include the Advanced Manufacturing Productivity Grant, the Climate Change Innovation Grants and the Tasmanian Space Technology Seed Fund.
ACT: Entrepreneurs and start-ups based in Canberra can access the Innovation Connection (ICON)grant program via the Canberra Innovation Network. Up to $30,000 in matched funding is available
Closed– expected reopening Q4 2026.
The ACT government also facilitates the ACTivate Capital Fund, supporting investment into local innovative start-ups to facilitate scale and growth.
NT: The Business Innovation Program offers NT-based start-ups and entrepreneurs funding to commercialise innovative concepts. Working closely with an advisor and mentor this includes $30,000 in grant funding and up to $10,000 in cost reimbursement.
Closed – under review.
Keeping abreast of program fit and timing is critical to grant readiness and grant success. Intellect Labs can help you identify funding that aligns with your businesses and develop a comprehensive funding pathway to align with your business lifecycle and strategic goals.