Grants up to $50 million for technologies that optimise the transition to renewable electricity, commercialise clean hydrogen and support the transition to low emissions metals.
On this page you will find
What is the Advancing Renewables Program (ARP)?
The Advancing Renewables Program (ARP) supports a range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that seek to optimise the transition to renewable electricity, commercialise clean hydrogen and support the transition to low emissions metals.
Program grants will fund low emissions projects and activities that involve a renewable energy technology or technologies that increase the supply or competitiveness of renewable energy in Australia.
Advancing Renewables Program level of support
Grant
- $100,000 to $50 million
- Up to 50% of total project costs
Co-contribution
- Minimum 50% of total project costs
Advancing Renewables Program important dates
Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Applications open on a rolling basis
- Not required for funding requests of less than $500,000
Full application (for invited applicants)
- Closing date will be advised by ARENA
Advancing Renewables Program objectives, outcomes, and focus areas
The program supports the following outcomes:
- reduction in the cost of renewable energy
- increase in the value delivered by renewable energy
- improvement in technology readiness and commercial readiness of renewable energy technologies
- reduction or removal of barriers to renewable energy uptake
- increased skills, capacity and knowledge relevant to renewable energy technologies
The current focus areas are:
- optimise the transition to renewable electricity
- commercialise clean hydrogen
- support the transition to low emissions metals
Projects eligible for Advancing Renewables Program support
All projects must involve a renewable energy technology that has the potential to contribute to the program objectives/outcomes (see above).
Support will not be given to research (i.e., TRL level 1-3) or education and training of students.
Funded research activity is limited to research components related to development, demonstration, deployment or commercialisation activity.
See the guidelines for full details of project eligibility.
Costs eligible for Advancing Renewables Program support
The following expenditure is eligible where directly related to the project:
- preparation of contracts
- labour expenditure, such as salaries and wages, including reasonable on-costs
- administrative expenses, including communications, accommodation, computing facilities, travel, recruitment, printing and stationery
- expenditure for plant installation
- expenditure on plant used for the construction of an activity
- expenditure activities that directly contribute to or enable knowledge, including database development, websites, applications and reports
- expenditure on legal, audit and accounting costs related
- expenditure related to the raising of funds or the formation of consortia or joint ventures or other partnering arrangements
- expenditure such as relevant licence fees or intellectual property purchase costs to access specific technology
- expenditure related directly to obtaining government approvals
Ineligible expenditure includes:
- general operations and administration undertaken in the normal course of business
- activity that is the responsibility of a local, state, territory or Commonwealth government agency, unless approved as relating to a co-contribution
- interest on loans for new and pre-existing capital item
- expenditure on the acquisition of land
- sales or promotional activities that do not directly support the successful completion of the activity
- geothermal license retention fees
- membership fees
- donations
- other expenditure that does not directly support the successful completion of the activity
See the guidelines for full details of eligible costs.
Other ARP important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Advancing Renewables Program support
The applicant must:
- hold an ABN and be either:
- an Australian entity incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
- a Commonwealth entity prescribed as a government business enterprise
- an Australian State or Territory owned corporation or subsidiary, or
- an Australian local government or council
- have an eligible project (see below)
- commit to activities primarily taking place in Australia (90% minimum)
- agree to ARENA’s Knowledge Sharing Plan
- have ownership of, access to, or beneficial use of IP rights
- not be listed as non-compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012
- not be named as an organisation on the list of persons and entities designated as terrorists
See the guidelines for full details of eligibility requirements.
Advancing Renewables Program assessment criteria
1. Contributes to the program outcomes
Alignment with focus area(s) and achieves one or more of:
- reducing renewable energy costs to increase supply
- increasing the value of renewable energy
- improving the TRL of a renewable energy technology
- increasing skills, capacity and knowledge relevant to renewable energy technologies
2. Applicant capability and capacity
- previous and appropriate expertise
- access to appropriate resources agreements between partners
3. Activity design, methodology, risk and compliance
- clearly defined objectives and methodology
- risk management
- technical design and delivery methodology
4. Financial viability and co-funding commitment
- detailed budget/financial model
- evidence of co-contribution
- financial capacity
- previous government funding in a similar field
5. Knowledge sharing
- alignment with program and activity
- data collection and dissemination method
- a commitment to produce publicly available data and information
All assessment criteria are equally weighted.
Applicants that are not offered funding may submit one revised application for the same project.
See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria.
How do I get Advancing Renewables Program?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- the project aligns with the program priorities and can contribute to one or more of its stated outcomes
- sound technical design/delivery and risk management plan
- the financial capacity and necessary expertise to support successful completion of the project within the agreed timeline
Applicants will need to complete a five-minute Eligibility and Alignment Tool assessment and if deemed eligible should discuss the proposal with an ARENA representative before submitting an EOI submission.
Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
Information to prepare for the Advancing Renewables Program application
Expression of interest
Applicants submitting an expression of interest are required to submit a project plan (maximum 20 pages). No other documents are required.
Note: Please ensure you have spoken with an ARENA representative before submitting your expression of interest.
Full application
Applicants submitting a full application must submit the following attachments:
- Funding Agreement Compliance Table (DOCX 200KB)
- Funding Agreement Template (PDF 916KB) | (DOCX 184KB)
Note: Review the Funding Agreement Template contract. If you do not agree with clauses or details record them in the Compliance Table template. If you agree, submit a blank document with your application.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for Advancing Renewables Program
Applications are submitted via the ARENANet portal.
Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Advancing Renewables Program resources
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