Provides industry-led collaborations with short-term (up to three years) matched funding to develop important new technologies, products and services.

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.

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.

Projects must:

• Develop a product, service or process that will solve problems for industry and deliver real outcomes
• Benefit small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

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. To be eligible as a lead applicant, you must:

• Be an SME
• Have an Australian business number (ABN)
• Be incorporated in Australia as 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:

• Two Australian industry organisations
• One Australian research organisation.

The five priorities focus on areas where research and innovation can help solve Australia’s greatest challenges:

1. Transitioning to a net-zero future
2. Supporting healthy and thriving communities
3. Elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
4. Protecting and restoring Australia’s environment
5. Building a secure and resilient nation.

Click here to view full funding guidelines on the provider's website.

Smith Thornton subscribes to a grant search provider and can help you prepare your grant application. If you have any questions, our Business Services Advisor Jenna van Nierop will be happy to assist. You can email her at jennav@smiththornton.com.au or call her on 9842 5155.