Central Queensland Update on AusIndustry Grants, Programs and Events: February 2023
Posted on February 7th, 2023
Included in this update is the following:
- Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants
- Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants
- Australia-India Strategic Research Fund: Collaborative Research Projects
- Indigenous Business Australia: Social Enterprise Grant
- Critical Minerals Development Program (Tranche 2)
- Innovate to Grow: Mining/METS
- GEA: Attract & Retain Staff Information Session
- AIP Webinar: Helping SME’s Adopt the Australian Recycling Label
- Improving Business Digital Connectivity Webinar
- Introduction to the R&D Tax Incentive Webinar
AusIndustry’s Central Queensland Regional Manager is available if you have questions or require further information in regards the programs and initiatives outlined below, and is happy assist businesses should they be interested in discussing their suitability for a grant.
Adrienne Rourke
Central Queensland Regional Manager
AusIndustry | Business Outreach
Department of Industry, Science and Resources
M 0422 928 283| E adrienne.rourke@industry.gov.au
Connect on LinkedIn for CQ AusIndustry updates.
Grant Announcements
Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants
The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) is looking for eligible applicants to conduct long-term trials of innovative and/or experimental farming practices that build drought resilience. The Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants program is a $40 million program investigating cropping, grazing and/or mixed farming practices through the lens of drought resilience and climate change. Grants of up to $8 million per application (GST exclusive) are available for projects to be delivered between 2023 – 2028. Collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional consortia including farmers are encouraged to apply. Projects that include a combination of sites are encouraged and must include at least one trial location where scientific evaluation occurs. Successful applicants are required to undertake extension activities to support the adoption of drought resilience innovations on farms, with the aim of reducing exposure to drought risks and improving farmers’ economic, environmental, and social resilience to drought.
Applications close on 15 March 2023 at 9pm (AEDT). To learn more about the grants and apply now, visit GrantConnect.
The TNQ Hub can provide a Letter of Support (LoS) to assist with your application so please get in touch today by emailing tnqhub@jcu.edu.au. Attend the online info session on Wednesday 8 February from 2-3pm (AEDT) and have your questions about the program and application process answered by FDF program leads.Register via the Eventbrite page.
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants
CRC-P Grants provide funding for short term, industry-led research collaborations to solve industry identified problems. Collaborations must include at least 3 partners, including at least one Australian industry organisation, one small to medium enterprise (SME) and one Australian research organisation. Funding of between $100,000 and $3 million is available for short-term projects of up to 3 years. The number of CRC-P Grants funded in each selection round depends on the applications received and available funding.
The Round is open to all industry sectors with a focus on supporting projects in line with Government priorities, including the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas and the Science and Research Priorities. Applications that have a focus on the circular economy are also particularly encouraged as a specific government priority area.
This round will close at 5pm on 2 March 2023. Grant opportunity guidelines and further information will be available on business.gov.au
Note: CRC-P Grants are part of the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program. The other element of the Program, Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) grants, is designed to support long term, larger industry-led collaborative research projects for up to 10 years.
Australia-India Strategic Research Fund: Collaborative Research Projects
Applications are now open for Australia India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF): Collaborative Research Fund Round 15, a competitive grant round which supports collaborative research projects between Australia and India. Projects must involve research in a priority area and have a primary Indian partner who has submitted, or is in the process of submitting a corresponding application to India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) or the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
Priority areas for AISRF Round 15 are:
Indo-Australian Science & Technology Fund (administered by the DST in India)
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- New and renewable energy technologies (particularly ultra-low-cost solar and clean hydrogen)
- Urban mining and electronic waste recycling
Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund (administered by DBT in India)
- Antimicrobial resistance
- RNA vaccines and therapies
There is $6 million in funding available under Round 15 for three year projects. The minimum grant amount is $500,000 and the maximum grant amount is $1,000,000.
Applications will close at 5pm AEST Wednesday 15 March 2023. Information about the program, including the grant opportunity guidelines and a link to the online application form is available at business.gov.au.
Indigenous Business Australia: Social Enterprise Grant
Indigenous Business Australia have launched their new Social Enterprise Grant to provide opportunities to support First Nations female entrepreneurs to innovate and solve social issues facing their communities and improve the economic security of other First Nations women and their communities. To be eligible for the Social Enterprise Grant, the applicant must be a (majority) female owned or led Australian Social Enterprise, and are, or work with, First Nations female entrepreneurs that provide capability, capacity building support and that achieve measurable economic safety outcomes for First Nations women, girls or sistergirls and their communities.
Applications will close at 31 August 2023 or when funding has been exhausted. Information about the program, including the grant opportunity guidelines and a link to the online application form is available at https://iba.gov.au/social-enterprise-grant/
Critical Minerals Development Program (Tranche 2)
The Critical Minerals Development Program (Tranche 2) provides funding to help progress early to mid-stage critical minerals projects towards financing and production. Projects will target critical minerals as listed in Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy. The program will run over 3 years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 with a total of $48.9m in funding where the minimum grant amount is $1m and the maximum grant amount is $30m with the grant amount up to 50% of the eligible project expenditure.
Applications will close at 5.00pm (AEDT) Monday 20 February 2023. Further information relating to the program, eligibility and suitable projects is found in the grant opportunity guidelines.
Program Updates
Innovate to Grow: Mining/METS
Applications are open for a free 10-week virtual program run by CSIRO for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) working on new ideas in the Mining/METS sector. The program is open to established SMEs interested in investigating how joining with a research institution can support their research and development in relation to a new idea/innovation. SMEs will be connected to innovation facilitators and mentors, as well as hearing from research and industry experts from across the Mining/METS sector. Participants will be able to develop actionable business plans and strategies through the structured, and virtual program.
SMEs from the following sub-sectors are encouraged to apply:
· Critical minerals.
· Low Impact Mining and Environmental Tech for mining applications.
· Mining technologies.
· Mineral exploration, discovery and analysis.
· Processing and sorting.
· Mining equipment and parts.
· Mining and agriculture.
Registrations close 13 Feb 2023. For more information see the attached flyer and to apply visit Innovate to Grow: Mining/METS – CSIRO
Upcoming Webinars & Events
GEA: Attract & Retain Staff Information Session
AusIndustry is pleased to be a collaborating partner at the upcoming GEA Attract & Retain Staff Breakfast Information Session. The session will provide practical methods and case studies on how SMEs can attract and retain staff with speakers from Pacific Peoples Solutions, Berg Engineering, High Risk Solutions and Gladstone Regional Council.
Date & Time: 6.30am for a 7am start, Thursday 23rd February. Further details and registration links can be found here: https://gea.memnet.com.au/MemberSelfService/EventBooking.aspx?selectedEventId=66
AIP Webinar: Helping SME’s Adopt the Australian Recycling Label
The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is delivering a webinar to showcasing the benefits of SME’s embedding the ARL on their packaging, the value it brings to their business, customers and the environment. In addition the AIP will be discussing the new innovative and educational ARL Marketplace that has been designed for SMEs. The webinar will also outline the tools and resources available on the ARL Marketplace to assist SMEs build more sustainable practices in their business.
The first one to take place is to be held online on 11am (AEDT), 22 February. For further details see the attached flyer or follow this link to register – http://aipack.com.au/event-registration/?ee=391
Improving Business Digital Connectivity Webinar
Improving Business Digital Connectivity webinar will provide insights and real-life examples of how businesses can improve their connectivity in rural and remote Northern Australia. The webinar will outline the importance of being a “digitally connected business” and the options that clients can consider for establishing a secure, adaptable, and reliable connection. The webinar will feature guest industry leaders that will share case studies of various satellite and fixed wireless solutions, in order to build a better understanding of the strengths and challenges associated with implementation. Northern Australian businesses will share learnings and reflections on this topic.
By attending this webinar, you will:
• Increase your knowledge and understanding of the benefits associated with becoming a “digitally connected business”.
• Learn about current best practice options available for digital connectivity in regional Australia.
• Understand where to find more information on this important topic.
Date & Time: Wednesday 15th February 2023 – 1.00 pm – 1.45 pm (Qld Time) Register for this free online event here – https://event-booking.business.gov.au/event/sessions?id=Improving_Business_Digital_Connectivity3752707310
Introduction to the R&D Tax Incentive Webinar
Join representatives from the Australian Taxation Office and Department of Industry, Science and Resources for a free information session to learn more about the Research and Development Tax Incentive. These sessions have been developed for those who are new to the R&D Tax Incentive, to guide them through the self-assessment process. The webinar will detail the benefits offered by the program, explain who can apply and what activities and expenditure are covered as well as providing hints and tips around record keeping. If you are new to the program, we highly recommend attending this session prior to submitting an application.
Upcoming sessions: Tuesday 21 February 2023 & Wednesday 17 May 2023. Register here for an upcoming session: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/research-and-development-tax-incentive/events-and-information-sessions
