Grants up to $75,000 to support Queensland-based small to medium sized innovation driven enterprises to progress development of a product or service closer to market.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Ignite Spark Program (ISP)?
The Ignite Spark Program supports Queensland-based small to medium-sized businesses to progress the development of new and innovative products or services towards market readiness.
Funding is provided for up to 12 months, and successful applicants also gain access to additional business development support through the Ignite+ Program. The program is part of the broader Ignite suite of initiatives designed to help innovation-driven enterprises thrive.
The application process consists of two stages:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) – submit an initial online form addressing basic eligibility and project information.
- Full Application – if shortlisted, submit a detailed application covering all assessment criteria.
Ignite Spark Program level of support
The Ignite Spark Program provides funding support between $50,000 (minimum) and $75,000 (maximum) for projects of up to 12 months’ duration.
A matched funding contribution from the applicant organisation is required:
- Tier 1: For applicants headquartered in South East Queensland, a 20% matched cash contribution is required.
- Tier 2: For Indigenous businesses and/or regional Queensland businesses, a 10% matched cash contribution is required.
Matched contributions must be sourced internally or from investors. In-kind or non-cash contributions are not eligible.
Ignite Spark Program important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Ignite Spark Program objectives
The Ignite Spark Program’s objectives are to:
- Advance innovative products and services towards commercial readiness.
- Strengthen key industries in Queensland.
- Diversify the Queensland economy.
- Engage and benefit regional communities.
- Create sustainable jobs for the future.
Projects and activities eligible for Ignite Spark Program support
Eligible projects must focus on developing a product or service that is:
- An innovative solution to an existing problem.
- A new-to-world innovation.
- A unique application of an existing technology (innovation diffusion).
- Innovative within an Indigenous cultural or community context.
At the time of application, projects must:
- Have an existing functional prototype.
- Be ready for validation in an industrial or operational environment.
- Not currently be in the market.
Ineligible projects include:
- Clinical trials.
- Development for internal business use only.
- Development of a business concept without a prototype.
- Modifications to existing products/services already in the market (domestically or internationally).
- Commercialisation activities or market entry for existing products.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and activities eligible and ineligible for ISP support.
Expenditure eligible for Ignite Spark Program support
Eligible expenditure includes:
- Salaries and salary-related costs for employees directly working on the project (capped at 20% of total project cost).
- Minor market-driven modifications to prototypes.
- Industry compliance testing and accreditation.
- Validation testing activities.
- Small-scale prototype production for demonstration.
- Third-party technical and IP advisory services.
- Equipment (up to $9,000 per item, capped at 10% of total project cost).
- Consumables for project activities.
- Necessary travel and accommodation for project activities (capped at 10% of total project cost).
- Freight or transport costs linked to testing and validation.
- Overseas validation/testing only if services are unavailable in Australia.
Ineligible expenditure includes:
- Product development not related to modifications or demonstrations.
- Costs associated with full commercialisation activities.
- Marketing, promotional, or business development costs.
- Research to establish proof of concept.
- Clinical trials.
- Hard tooling for production purposes.
- Capital works, building construction, or land acquisition.
- Organisational overheads and business running costs (rent, utilities, accounting fees, insurance).
All project expenditure must be incurred after the project commencement date.
Other Ignite Spark Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Ignite Spark Program support
To be eligible, applicant organisations must:
- Be headquartered in Queensland (with Queensland listed as the ‘Main Business Location’ on their ABR profile).
- Hold an ABN.
- Be registered for GST by the time of Full Application submission.
- Have no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees.
- Not be a subsidiary of a group employing more than 50 staff.
- Not have received other government funding for the same project.
Only one application per organisation (including related entities) is permitted per funding round.
Ignite Spark Program assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed against four key criteria:
Criteria 1: Significance of the funding opportunity
- Demonstrate that the product/service is at a working functional prototype stage.
- Show readiness for testing and validation in a real-world environment.
- Outline the importance of funding to achieve progress towards commercialisation.
Criteria 2: Strength of innovation
- Demonstrate that the product/service is innovative, unique and new.
- Explain how the product/service can be rapidly scaled to meet demand.
- Show that an Intellectual Property (IP) strategy has been considered.
Criteria 3: Value and viability
- Detail how the planned activities will move the prototype closer to market readiness.
- Provide a realistic budget that matches the project scope.
- Highlight the team’s capability and experience.
- Ensure the activities are appropriate for progressing the innovation.
Criteria 4: Sustainability and resilience
-
Explain how the project will strengthen the business, make it more investment-ready, and maintain its Queensland base.
(No specific weighting percentages were outlined in the guidelines.)
How do I get the Ignite Spark Program?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
A successful applicant:
- is an innovation driven enterprise headquartered in Queensland
- has validated, through market research, that product and/or service is new and innovative in comparison with what is currently available in the market
- demonstrates ability of product and/or service to be scaled nationally or globally
- has planned project activities which focus on testing, validating and/or demonstrating product and/or service in an industrially and/or operationally relevant environment
Information to prepare for the Ignite Spark Program application
Prepare the following:
- Description of the functional prototype and innovation.
- Overview of market opportunity and scalability potential.
- Detailed project plan, timelines, and deliverables.
- Budget breakdown (including matched contribution confirmation).
- Details of the project team and their experience.
- Evidence of Intellectual Property considerations.
- Proof of Queensland headquarters, GST registration, and employee count.
- Confirmation that no other government funding has been received for the project.
Applying for the Ignite Spark Program
Submit your Expression of Interest online via the Advance Queensland Ignite Spark Program webpage.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Ignite Spark Program resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
GrantHelper can assist with your organisation’s grant application, no matter what stage of the funding journey you’re at.
Whenever You’re Ready, Here Are 7 Ways We Can Help You
- Grant Application Readiness
Assess your current position, identify gaps, and prepare your organisation to meet the stringent requirements of competitive grant programs. - Grant Application Strategy
Pinpoint the right grants, align your projects with funding priorities, and establish a roadmap that significantly boosts your chances of success. - Grant Application Search
Let us do the heavy lifting to uncover the most relevant and high-value grant opportunities tailored to your business objectives. - Grant Application Writing
Our expert writers craft persuasive applications that showcase your strengths and align seamlessly with the funder’s goals and criteria. - Grant Application Review
Receive detailed, strategic feedback to sharpen your application, address potential weaknesses, and ensure maximum alignment with assessment benchmarks. - Grant Application Management
End-to-end oversight of your grant journey — from planning and writing to submission and reporting — so you can stay focused on running your business. - Grant Application Courses
Access self-paced online training to build your internal capability and develop the skills needed to navigate and succeed in the grant landscape.
Ready to get started?
Not Ready to Enquire Yet?
We understand that winning grants takes time—something many business owners and directors don’t have. That’s why we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Insights showcase some of the grant-winning methods we employ at GrantHelper, and they will help you create a stronger grant application.
Explore our Insights page, or our Podcasts page, where you’ll find expert advice, actionable tips, and time-saving strategies to help you get grant-ready.
Alternatively, check out some of the Clients we’ve helped and what they had to say about us.
