Australian researchers and their industry partners will benefit from $180 million in grant funding to commercialise research in support of the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda.
The first round of Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grants opened Wednesday 17 July 2024, with eligible university applicants able to apply for grants which will drive research in priority areas such as the processing of critical minerals, renewable hydrogen and green metals.
AEA grants support the Australian Government identified priority areas for the economy (outlined in the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (Priority Areas) Declaration 2023) and Future Made in Australia policy.
Within these priorities, the first round of grants will prioritise projects that align with one or more of the following focus areas outlined in the AEA Advisory Board’s Annual Investment Plan 2024-25:
- critical and strategic minerals processing
- sustainable fuels
- digital agriculture
- quantum
- artificial intelligence (AI)
- advanced manufacturing.
AEA Ignite grants will support early-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $500,000 for a maximum period of 12 months. These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities and university colleges to complete basic research, laboratory testing and establish proof-of-concept in an industry-relevant environment. Applications for Ignite grants close 5:00pm AEST Wednesday 28 August 2024.
AEA Innovate grants will support mid-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $5 million for a maximum period of 24 months. These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities and university colleges to collaborate with industry to advance projects that already have laboratory proof-of-concept. The first application stage is an Expression of Interest (EOI) which closes 5:00pm AEST Wednesday 28 August 2024. Applicants are required to complete an EOI before submitting a full application.
AEA is a $1.6 billion Australian Government investment aimed at transforming Australia’s research translation and commercialisation landscape.
Find out more about the AEA grants.