Grants up to $250,000 are available to applicants to help commercialise innovation to products, and be part of creating Australia’s circular economy for used tyres.
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What is the Market Development Fund (MDF)?
The Tyre Stewardship Australia’s (TSA) Market Development Fund (MDF) provides resources through a competitive process to support the development of markets for Australian tyre-derived products.
The Australian tyre recycling industry produces a number of tyre-derived products (TDP) such as crumb rubber and rubber granules that can be used in applications from road construction and playground surfacing to adhesives and aggregates, and even as an additive into explosives.
However, at this point the market for these products is not large enough to absorb all of the waste tyres (around 56 million annually) being created in Australia. The TSA Board has therefore established the fund as a means of stimulating development of new products and new markets for TDP.
There are two funding streams:
- Project Stream – Funding to support ‘Research and Development’ as well as ‘Demonstration and Infrastructure’ projects that lead to increased uptake of Australian generated TDP (this document pertains to the Research and Development Fund of the Project Stream)
- PhD Scholarship Stream – Specific PhD scholarships for students looking to investigate future technology and solutions that may transform markets for tyre recycling and TDP (guidelines and an application form for the PhD Scholarship Stream can be found on the TSA website; www.tyrestewardship.org.au/funding).
There are two types of Project Stream applications.
- Research and Development
- Demonstration and Infrastructure projects
This document pertains to the Research and Development applications within the Project Stream, the intent of which is summarised below:
Research and Development Projects
- To support early stage research and development to validate the performance benefits of products and processes that consume TDP to underpin investment in the creation and expansion of markets to increase demand for Australian generated end-of-life tyres.
MDF level of support
Grants
- Minimum amount – Not indicated
- Maximum amount – $250,000
Co-contribution
- Minimum amount – $50,000
- Maximum amount – $300,000
TSA is seeking projects that offer high value for contributions to the total cost of the project. Notwithstanding this, a minimum 1:1 funding criterion is required for all projects, noting that value for money is an assessment criterion.
See the guidelines for full details of the Project Total Cost and Co-contributions.
MDF important dates
- The Fund is open periodically. Applicants are able to contact TSA to discuss project ideas at any stage throughout the year.
- The TSA Research Advisory Committee will then assess applications on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper.
MDF objectives
The primary objective of the Fund is to invest in projects that increase the volume of Australian generated end-of-life tyres being processed into TDP and sold by Australian tyre recyclers and processors.
Activities and expenditure eligible for MDF support
TSA will fund:
- Personnel (i.e. staff engaged in the project, but only for the time they are engaged with the project. Note that any time spent on the project by existing personnel will be considered as inkind funding only).
- Equipment, staff, materials, monitoring, safety, approvals and other required expenditure associated with demonstrating and trialing the use of TDP, leading to increased utilisation of TDP across new or expanded markets through that particular application.
- Research / laboratory / testing costs.
- The purchase of specific new equipment for testing may also be applicable if it can be demonstrated to be necessary for the delivery of the project.
- Field testing to validate laboratory trials.
- Materials consumed (must use Australian TDP for any funded activities).
- External consultants where required for specialist work, such as economic or feasibility analysis or market analysis for new products directly related to the project (these costs must not exceed more than 20% of the total project cost).
- Other project costs where documented and justified.
The priority of the Fund is to find new or expanded markets for TDP currently being manufactured in Australia (for example crumb rubber or rubber granule).
Therefore, the Fund will not support:
- Funding for recycling and processing infrastructure. This includes both conventional recycling plant and equipment as well as thermal processing infrastructure such as pyrolysis and gasification equipment.
- Applicants that are unable to demonstrate the financial capability to undertake the project.
- Projects related to the clean-up of tyre stockpiles.
- Projects that do not meet the eligibility criteria of the program.
- Travel, conferences and other educational activities (unless demonstrably evidenced as fundamental to the project).
- Recycling infrastructure that does not deliver market development outcomes.
- Start up or seed funding for new businesses.
- Projects outside of Australia.
- Projects related to the treatment or management of mining tyres only.
- Activities that are being undertaken in order to comply with regulations / compliance.
- Projects without matched funding from other parties (TSA aims to ensure all projects generate at least 1:1 funding with government, industry and other organisations).
- Sunk costs of background technology, background intellectual property or retrospective research; requests for retrospective funding where projects have commenced (i.e. equipment purchased, contracts entered into or construction has begun), or those projects which are completed prior to receiving funding approval.
- Feasibility studies, business plans, cost benefit analyses and economic impact studies.
- Ongoing operating costs or salary subsidies.
- The construction of buildings and/or cost of purchasing or improving land unless specifically devoted to and required for the proposed project.
- The making of donations.
- Any activity that a local, State, Territory or Commonwealth government or agency thereof has the responsibility to undertake.
- Requests for retrospective funding, where projects are completed or have commenced prior to signing a funding agreement with TSA (note: a defined component or next stage of a current, longer term project would be eligible for funding).
- Organisations that have failed to satisfactorily complete any other previous projects funded by TSA without sufficient reason.
See the guidelines for full details of activities and expenditure eligible for MDF support.
Other MDF important details that you will need to know
MDF priority areas
The priority outcome to be achieved from Project Stream applications is a direct increase in the local consumption of Australian TDP through new and expanded markets.
- Applications will be assessed most favourably if they both consume high volumes of Australian tyre-derived product and are innovative in nature.
- Projects will also be strongly considered if they can demonstrate a strong correlation between the delivery of the project and high, ongoing consumption of Australian generated TDP.
- Projects must have collaborative partnerships between industry, research bodies and “end users” to demonstrate a realistic market application and likely potential of being utilised by the market at the completion of the project.
- All projects must be rated highly in relation to the assessment criteria (see section 7), with a particular emphasis on:
- a clear business case that articulates the potential increase in consumption of TDP the project will achieve
- a clear statement of how the project will capitalise on the characteristics of TDP to create new and improved products or processes
All TSA funded activities require the use of Australian TDP. All TSA funded infrastructure projects require Australian generated TDP to be utilised for the lifetime of the project and/or infrastructure.
TSA is most interested in projects that can bring together multiple parties in partnership including industry, research organisations, government, recyclers and end users (such as councils, road authorities, manufacturers or civil engineering and construction companies).
Organisations eligible for MDF support
To be an eligible applicant for the Fund, applicants must:
- Be a registered Australian business, research institution or university that has the capability and capacity to undertake the project that is being proposed.
- Have a current Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Agree to comply with TSA Terms and Conditions.
- Meet the requirements for co-contributions and be able to fund all costs of the project that are not met by TSA’s contribution to the total cost of the project.
- Have ownership of, access to or the beneficial use of any background intellectual property necessary to carry out the project.
- Be accredited by TSA or be willing to seek accreditation if a tyre industry fund category is applicable (for example tyre recyclers, collectors, manufacturers etc.).
- Have been operating for at least 12 months (industry partner(s) and research institute).
- Have satisfactory environmental, safety and financial performance.
See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for MDF support.
MDF assessment criteria
1. What? Project framework and outcomes (30)
- Anticipated project benefit: tons of TDP consumed, market expansion, potential, creation of new markets etc. – 30
2. Who? About the organisation and partners involved (30)
- Strength of applicant and ability of the team: track record and ability to leverage commercial outcomes – 10
- Financial contribution and viability of the applicant – 10
- Strength of partners and alignment of complementary skills -10
3. Why? The need of the project (20)
- Importance of market barrier it is addressing: Why is the project necessary? What problem is it looking to address? – 10
- Demonstration of value for money (solid co-contribution, sum requested relative to potential market opportunity) – 10
4. How? The project plan (20)
- Strength of the project plan and realistic timelines – 10
- Impact of the project on the market & how will this be tested? E.g. market size & economic assessment capacity of project – 10
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the MDF?
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 as outlined in the application and agreed project plan.
- Facilitate update meetings with TSA and lead partner/s.
- Complete the project within the timeframes proposed in the application and/or agreed upon in the contract.
- Meet the matched funding requirements.
- Participate in activities with TSA to distribute the findings to broader stakeholders (ie universities, government and industry) during and after the TSA funding agreement period.
- Acknowledge the project has been funded by TSA.
- Make efforts to commercialise the research findings developed as a result of the project (Confidential Project Intellectual Property) over a three-year period post completion of the final milestone.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the MDF application
Successful applicants must:
- Submit a detailed project plan for approval by TSA prior to execution of the contract.
- Provide evidence demonstrating partnership between the lead applicant and lead partner.
- Provide TSA with high level reports, case studies and data (excluding commercial inconfidence research findings (Non-Confidential Project Intellectual Property) for general publication.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the MDF
Email TSA Circular Solutions Manager, Tammie Miller at funding@tyrestewardship.org.au to apply.
Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
MDF resources
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