Program overview
Who is it for?
South East Queensland organisations who represent existing SEQ innovation precincts and places.
What are the grant/program objectives?
Invest in capital projects to ignite innovation precincts to deliver more knowledge intensive jobs.
What does it involve?
The SEQ Innovation Economy Fund will support new or improved infrastructure developments and/or acquisition of plant and equipment that contribute to innovation focused priority industries and innovation growth sectors.
What are the grant/program goals?
- Accelerate the delivery of jobs
- Grow the SEQ innovation economy through innovation focused priority industries and innovation growth sectors
- Leverage and develop connections and partnerships
What will recipients get?
Grants are available for:
- Minor capital projects, including but not limited to refurbishments and/or plant and equipment – funding of at least $500,000 (excluding GST) to a maximum of $5,212,840 (excluding GST).
A 50% cash co-contribution must also be provided by the applicant and/or project partners.
How do you apply?
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and will be assessed against the Guidelines.
Please read the Program Guidelines (PDF, 423KB) and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 525KB) before applying.
The Smarty Grants Help Guide for Applicants provides guidance and has helpful hints about how to apply for grants.
Applications can be submitted via SmartyGrants.
Submission deadline
Applications for this program close at 11am on 25 June 2026.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the fund, the applicant organisation must be:
- an eligible public or private sector entity
- GST registered with an ABN
- operating in an eligible SEQ local government area
- trading for more than 12 months.
Applicants who submitted proposals in the previous round of the IEF are eligible to submit a new application, including applications for different projects or initiatives.
Entities that were recipients of funding in Round 1 are not eligible to apply.
Project partners of previously funded recipients are eligible to apply, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Entities that are ineligible to be an applicant could be a project partner to the applicant.
Eligible projects must be for the establishment of new or improved infrastructure for an existing innovation precinct in SEQ.
Please refer to the Innovation Economy Fund Guidelines (PDF, 423KB) for detailed eligibility criteria and definitions.
Contact
If you have questions about this program, contact SEQIEF@detsi.qld.gov.au
South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal
Find out more about the broader South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal.
