Grants supporting Victoria’s food and beverage electrification projects, driving innovation, reducing fossil gas reliance, boosting productivity, cutting emissions, and advancing the legislated 2045 net-zero target.
On this page you will find
What is the Energy Innovation Fund?
The Victorian Government’s Energy Innovation Fund (EIF) supports the commercialisation of innovative, emerging renewable energy technologies that are critical for achieving Victoria’s net-zero emissions target by 2045.
Delivered in multiple rounds:
- Round 1 focused on offshore wind.
- Round 2 supported a wide range of renewable energy technology types.
- Round 3 (current round) supports the electrification of the food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector through the substitution of fossil fuel usage with efficient, electric alternatives.
Energy Innovation Fund level of support
- Total funding pool: $10 million.
- Grant amount: Up to $2 million per project. Higher amounts may be considered where exceptional value is demonstrated.
- Funding ratio: The EIF will cover up to 50% of eligible project expenditure. A mandatory co-contribution from applicants is required.
- In-kind contributions: May be considered if they meet eligible expenditure requirements, though cash contributions are preferred.
Energy Innovation Fund important dates
- Questions close: Friday, 21 November 2025
- Applications close: 1:00 pm AEDT, Friday, 28 November 2025
- Assessment period: Nov 2025 – Feb 2026
- Due diligence and Funding Agreement negotiations: Feb – Jun 2026
- Funding Agreements executed and projects commence: Jul – Sep 2026
- Project completion and acquittal reporting: 2029–2030 financial year
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Energy Innovation Fund objectives
Round 3 aims to:
- Support Victoria’s net-zero 2045 target by electrifying industrial processes within the food and beverage sector.
- Enable deployment, demonstration and scaling of emerging, transformational, and high-impact technologies aligned with energy and climate policy priorities.
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil gas, enhancing cost stability and operational certainty for food producers.
- Strengthen Victoria’s food production and processing capacity, ensuring sustainable low-emissions growth and boosting sector competitiveness.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Energy Innovation Fund support
Projects must demonstrate industrial electrification outcomes in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Eligible activities include:
- Replacement of fossil-fuel powered equipment with efficient electric alternatives such as:
- Electrode boilers
- Heat pumps
- Electric dryers
- Thermal storage systems
- Projects achieving or demonstrating a pathway to TRL 9 and CRI 2–5.
- Capital-based projects that directly support net-zero by 2045 outcomes.
Eligible Expenditure may include the following:
- Expenditure incurred under contracts directly entered into for the purposes of delivering the physical scope of the Project (e.g. construction, plant supply, grid connection), subject to the ineligible expenditure exclusions.
- Labour expenditure for personnel employed directly on the physical delivery of the Project (e.g. project managers, site engineers), including reasonable on-costs such as workers’ compensation insurance, superannuation, leave accruals, and payroll tax.
- Construction-related administrative expenses where these are directly and demonstrably required to enable delivery of the Project (e.g. site accommodation, site-specific travel, printing of construction plans).
- Capital expenditure on major plant, equipment, or components to be installed as part of the Project.
- Expenditure associated with the civil, structural, or electrical construction of the Project.
- Expenditure on legal, audit, or accounting services where these are directly associated with contracting, construction, or delivery of the physical works.
- Expenditure necessary for securing licences, permits, or intellectual property essential for the deployment of the physical plant, equipment, or components to be installed as part of the Project.
- Construction-phase insurance and associated risk management costs, where these are necessary to enable delivery of the capital works for the Project.
The following activities are not eligible under Round 3:
- Feasibility studies, trials, early-stage R&D, or non-capital planning activities.
- Commercialisation planning or options assessments not tied to capital deployment.
- Business-as-usual upgrades, energy audits, or maintenance activities.
- Projects relying solely on renewable fuels (e.g., bioenergy, hydrogen, geothermal).
- Technologies already commercially deployed at scale in Victoria.
Other Energy Innovation Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Energy Innovation Fund support
Applicants must:
- Be an Australian incorporated entity or eligible joint venture/consortium (with a nominated lead entity).
- Hold an ABN and be financially viable for the life of the project.
- Comply with workplace, gender equality, insurance, and other statutory obligations.
- Have the necessary rights to intellectual property for the project.
- Agree to the EIF Funding Agreement terms and conditions.
Applicants may also claim Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) if eligible, as participation in the EIF does not restrict involvement in the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
Energy Innovation Fund assessment criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed against six merit criteria:
1. Contribution to Net Zero by 2045
- Alignment with Victoria’s Gas Substitution Roadmap and renewable energy strategy.
- Demonstrated emissions reduction and electrification outcomes.
2. Pathway to Commercial Operations
- Applicant capability and track record.
- Risk management and approvals.
- Technical and financial feasibility.
3. Economic Impact and Community Support
- Regional economic benefits, supply chain participation, job creation.
- Community engagement and Traditional Owner involvement.
- Alignment with the Victorian Aboriginal People Social Procurement Guide.
- Application of the Local Jobs First policy and Fair Jobs Code (mandatory where applicable).
4. Innovation and Knowledge Sharing
- Demonstration of innovative or transformational technologies.
- Commitment to an effective Knowledge Sharing Plan.
5. Market Scalability and Diversity
- Replicability and scalability of the technology.
- Contribution to reducing fossil gas reliance.
6. Financial Viability and Scalability
- Demonstrated funding need.
- Strong business case with evidence of co-contributions.
- Capacity for future commercial rollout.
How do I get the Energy Innovation Fund?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To maximise your chances of success, applicants should demonstrate:
- Eligibility – compliance with all Applicant and Project requirements, including TRL 9 and CRI 2–5 for proposed technologies.
- Alignment – clear contribution to Victoria’s legislated net-zero by 2045 target and the objectives of the Fund.
- Commercial readiness – a credible pathway to deployment and commercial operations, supported by risk identification and mitigation strategies.
- Financial viability – a robust business case, evidence of mandatory co-contributions, and ability to deliver within budget and timeframe.
- Economic and community benefits – job creation, regional economic activity, supply chain participation, and meaningful engagement with local communities and Traditional Owners.
- Innovation and knowledge sharing – demonstration of innovative or transformational technology and a strong Knowledge Sharing Plan.
- Market scalability – potential for replication across the sector and reduction of fossil gas reliance.
Information to prepare for the Energy Innovation Fund application
Applicants should prepare the following documentation:
- Project budget (using government templates).
- Project delivery schedule.
- Knowledge Sharing Plan.
- Risk register.
- Evidence of financing and co-contributions.
- Permits or approvals relevant to project delivery.
Applying for the Energy Innovation Fund
Applications must be lodged through DEECA’s Grants Online portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Energy Innovation Fund resources
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