About this Grant
The CRC Program supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. It’s a proven way to link researchers with industry. The focus is on research and development that will have commercial uses.
What do you get?
Matched funding of between $100,000 and $3 million. Grants are for up to 3 years.
Who is this for?
An industry-led research collaboration.
The program aims to:
- improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, especially where Australia is competitive and in government priority areas
- use high quality research to solve industry-identified problems
- encourage and help SMEs to take part in collaborative research.
This grant supports 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)
- include education and training activities.
Priority funding areas
The Round is open to all industry sectors however will have 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.
NRF Priorities
The NRF will diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy through targeted investments in the following priority areas:
- renewables and low emissions technologies
- medical science
- transport
- value-add in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors
- value-add in resources
- defence capability
- enabling capabilities.
Science and Research Priorities
As a starting point and to prompt conversation within the Australian science community, the government has identified 3 priorities that could form part of a refreshed set of Australian science priorities:
- Supporting stronger action on climate change, including investments in renewable energy, reducing emissions and transitioning to a net zero world.
- Elevating and investing in First Nations perspectives on science, technology and innovation.
- Harnessing the potential of emerging technologies and scientific research in pursuit of not only economic growth, but improved Australian wellbeing
In finalising the priorities, we will consider how they:
- reflect the key challenges and opportunities facing Australia
- align with government priorities, such as the National Reconstruction Fund
- reflect Australia’s competitive and comparative advantages
- inform and align government decision making and investment into the future
- provide greater certainty and focus for investment, including by industry
- be reviewed and updated to ensure they remain contemporary and responsive to Australia’s needs.
What can the funding be used for?
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.
Eligibility
To be eligible as a lead applicant you must:
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- 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:
- 2 Australian industry organisations, including at least 1 SME
- 1 Australian research organisation.
Not eligible
You’re not eligible to apply as the lead applicant if you’re:
- an individual, sole trader, partnership, unincorporated association or trust
- a research organisation or an entity whose primary purpose is to undertake research
- a Commonwealth, state, territory or local government agency or body (including government business enterprises)
- an entity where most of your funding is from government sources, for example grant programs
- an administrative or support service to a CRC-P.
