Grants to support medium to long-term, industry-led research collaborations across compatible industries to solve industry identified problems and improve industry competitiveness, productivity and sustainability outcomes.
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What is the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Grants Program
The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program Round 26 is an Australian Government initiative (administered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources) that supports medium to long-term, industry-led collaborative research. Its primary purpose is to help solve industry-identified problems, boost the competitiveness and productivity of Australian businesses, and increase commercialisation.
A successful CRC proposal must form a collaboration of at least three Australian industry entities and two Australian research organisations. These groups undertake innovative research, often spanning multiple years (up to 10), ultimately generating new products, services, or processes with meaningful benefits for Australia.
The CRC Program Round 26 uses a two-stage competitive selection:
- Stage 1: You submit an initial application outlining your proposed project, its alignment with program objectives, partnership details, and indicative budget.
- Stage 2: If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to submit a more comprehensive application—responding to feedback from Stage 1—and attend an interview with the CRC Advisory Committee.
Cooperative Research Centres Grants level of support
Grant
- No minimum and maximum funding amount
- Average grant in recent rounds of $45m
Co-contribution
- A 1:1 co-contribution is mandatory. This means that for every dollar of CRC grant funding, the consortium must provide at least one dollar in the form of cash and/or in-kind support (e.g. staff hours, facilities usage, specialised equipment). These contributions help ensure project partners share ownership and investment in the CRC’s outcomes.
Cooperative Research Centres Grants important dates
- Applications Close: 29 April 2025, 5:00pm (AEST)
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Cooperative Research Centres Program objectives and outcomes
- Solve Industry Challenges
Support large-scale, end-user-focused research projects that address genuine industry problems in innovative, practical ways. - Enhance Competitiveness & Productivity
Develop and commercialise new solutions that strengthen Australian industries, drive job creation, and spur economic growth. - Build Skills and Capability
Run industry-focused education and training programs, including a compulsory PhD component, so that Australia’s current and future workforce gains relevant skills. - Boost SME Participation
Increase the research and development (R&D) capacity of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing their ability to innovate and grow. - Encourage Research Adoption
Ensure strong pathways for research outputs—like new technologies or processes—to be taken up by end-users, delivering broad economic and societal benefits.
Projects eligible for Cooperative Research Centres Grants support
A CRC project must be:
- Industry-led: Have active participation from at least three Australian industry entities.
- Collaborative: Draw on the strengths of multiple partners, including research organisations, and possibly government or community entities.
- Outcome-Focused: Propose a research agenda that clearly maps out how results will be commercialised or applied.
- Long-Term: May run for up to 10 years, reflecting the scale of research involved.
Ineligible Expenditure
While most R&D-related costs can be covered, the CRC Program does not fund:
- Activities unrelated to the agreed research plan.
- Costs already funded by another Commonwealth program.
- Land purchases or major capital works not directly required to achieve the CRC’s outcomes.
- Purely financial expenses like interest payments or routine business operating costs.
- Travel or overseas expenditure beyond approved thresholds or unrelated to project activities.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible projects.
Other Cooperative Research Centres important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Cooperative Research Centres Grants support
- Minimum Consortia Requirements: Three Australian industry entities and two Australian research organisations.
- SME Involvement: The program strongly encourages direct SME participation, ensuring they gain R&D capacity and benefit from project outputs.
- Other Collaborators: International partners or not-for-profit participants can join, provided their contributions benefit Australia.
- Exclusions: Organisations listed as non-compliant under the National Redress Scheme or the Workplace Gender Equality Act are ineligible to participate.
Cooperative Research Centres Grants assessment criteria
The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program Round 26 uses a points-based evaluation where each criterion is worth 25% of the total score:
1. Project Alignment with Program Objectives (25%)
- Relevance to industry challenges, alignment with government priorities, and potential for tangible benefits.
2. Quality of the Research Project (25%)
- Soundness of the proposed research methodology, plus clarity in commercialisation plans and industry-focused education (including a PhD program).
3. Capacity, Capability, and Resources (25%)
- Project governance, risk management, partner experience, and the availability of personnel and facilities to deliver high-quality outcomes.
4. Impact of the Grant Funding (25%)
- Justification for the funding amount, plans to maximise economic and commercial returns, and overall value for money, including spill-over benefits for Australia.
Meeting each of these criteria with clear evidence and strong partner commitment is crucial to securing funding.
How do I get Cooperative Research Centres Grants?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- an industry identified problem of significant scale that requires a medium to long term collaboration
- collaborative research and knowledge sharing systems, including education and training activities, that are mutually beneficial to industry and research
- strong governance and management structures, including risk identification, that support the CRC’s activities and collaborations
- an optimal mix of partners whose contributions reflect a strong commitment to the project
- sufficient resources to address the identified problem and achieve CRC objectives, deliver benefit to Australia and conform to all CRC requirements
- the impact of grant funding on the scale and timing of the project, including market and commercialisation opportunities
Information to prepare for the Cooperative Research Centres Grants application
To enhance your submission:
- Define Contributions: Precisely outline each partner’s cash and in-kind support, ensuring you meet the 1:1 matching requirement.
- Develop a Comprehensive Research Plan: State objectives, milestones, and a clear path to commercialisation.
- Address Governance: Propose a structure with clear management roles, an independent Chair, and risk oversight.
- Include an Education & Training Component: Incorporate a robust PhD program and other skill-building initiatives that connect research with industry needs.
- Evidence Value for Money: Demonstrate how every dollar invested (both grant and partner contributions) will generate substantial returns for Australia.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for Cooperative Research Centres Grants
Applications are submitted via business.gov.au.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Cooperative Research Centres Grants resources
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