Commercialisation Australia grants are now open as of January 2010. The initiative aims to build the capacity of Australia’s talented researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative companies to turn their ideas into successful commercial ventures. It achieves this through offering a range of tailored assistance measures and guiding successful applicants through the commercialisation process.

Commercialisation Australia offers:

1. Skills and Knowledge support to help build the skills, knowledge and connections required to commercialise new ideas.
Up to $50,000 to pay for specialist advice and services
Up to $200,000 over two years to assist with the recruitment of experienced executives

2. Proof of Concept grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to test the commercial viability of a product, process or service

3. Early Stage Commercialisation repayable grants of $250,000 to $2 million to undertake activities that develop a new product, process or service to the stage where it can be taken to market.

The $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program was opened on 11 December 2009 and selection is to occur over two selection rounds. This funding will be used to support the construction and demonstration of up to four large-scale solar power stations in Australia, using solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) technologies.

The first selection round (Round 1) will be held in 2010 and is to select one solar thermal and one photovoltaic project, with a target of 400 MW of combined generation capacity across both projects. The Solar Flagships Program second selection round (Round 2) is planned to be held in 2013-14, following a review of the outcome of Round 1.

The Department of Health and Ageing is calling for applications for funding under the Innovative Clinical Teaching and Training Grants (ICCTG).
$90 million is available over four (4) years (2009-10 to 2012-13) for infrastructure projects that support innovative clinical teaching and training initiatives. Applications are sought from public and private organisations which can demonstrate increased capacity More >

Applications for RCC (Retooling for Climate Change Grant) may now be submitted at any time and will be assessed on a regular basis by Innovation Australia. Previously this was only on a round by round basis.
An applicant may commence work on their project once AusIndustry has reviewed its application and confirmed that it is complete More >

The Government will introduce a new, simpler form of assistance to companies seeking to take their ideas to market from early January 2010.
“Government assistance for commercialising Australian innovation will be simplified through Commercialisation Australia,” Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research said.
“Commercialisation Australia will open early in 2010 and ensure assistance is More >

Round 5 of the $50k TCF Small Business Program is now open for applications. And closes on Friday 26 February 2010 at 5.00pm.
The Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Small Business Program provides grants to improve the business enterprise culture of TCF small businesses. It is competitive and merit-based with a maximum grant of $50,000 provided to each More >