Funding up to $3 million supporting short-term, industry-led research collaborations developing products, services or processes that solve industry problems, improve productivity, competitiveness, and benefit SMEs.
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 Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant Program
The CRC-P Grants provide funding for short-term research collaborations. This grant supports short-term (up to 3 years), industry-led research collaborations.
Projects must:
- develop a product, service or process that will solve problems for industry and deliver real outcomes
- benefit small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
You can use the funding to cover costs directly related to your project including:
- new research
- proof of concept activities
- pre-commercialisation of research outcomes
- industry-focused education and training activities
- conferences, workshops, symposia related to the joint research
- information sharing and communications related to the research.
This is not a complete list and other costs may also be eligible.
Want to check if you are CRC-P Grant Ready?
Skip the guesswork. Complete our quick CRC-P Grant Readiness Quiz to see if your business has a strong chance.
If you look like a good fit, you may be eligible for a free strategy session (valued at $300) to discuss your project’s alignment and next steps.
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant level of support
Grants
- Minimum grant amount: $100,000
- Maximum grant amount: $3,000,000
- Funding intensity: Up to 50% of total eligible project expenditure
- Project duration: Up to 3 years
Projects must have a minimum total eligible project value of $200,000.
There is no fixed funding pool per round. The number of projects funded depends on application quality and available program funding.
Co-Contribution Requirements
Applicants and project partners must contribute funding equal to or greater than the grant amount.
Eligible contributions include:
- Cash contributions
- Staff costs (cash-staff contributions)
- In-kind contributions (e.g. equipment, facilities, expertise)
All contribution types are treated equally for the purposes of calculating co-contribution.
Contributions must:
- Be directly related to the project
- Not be funded by the CRC-P grant
- Be available for use during the project period
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant objectives and outcomes
CRC-P aims to:
- Improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries – especially where Australia has a competitive strength, and in line with government priorities (including the National Science and Research Priorities).
- Foster high quality research to solve industry-identified problems through industry-led, outcome-focused collaborative partnerships between industry and research organisations.
- Encourage and facilitate SME participation in collaborative research.
Expected outcomes include:
- Establishing strong and lasting industry–research collaborations.
- Generating research results that align with government priorities.
- Increasing SME participation in collaborative research.
- Building research skills in industry and strengthening industry capability in research.
- Delivering improved competitiveness and productivity for participating industries.
- Industry, research and other users valuing the program as a mechanism for innovation and collaboration.
Government priorities for Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant
Applicants are encouraged to align with:
National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) Priorities:
- Value-add in resources
- Value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries
- Transport
- Medical science
- Renewables and low emission technologies
- Defence capability
- Enabling capabilities
National Science and Research Priorities:
- Transitioning to net zero
- Supporting healthy communities
- Leveraging Indigenous knowledge systems
- Protecting and restoring environmental systems
- Building national resilience
Projects led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations will receive priority consideration.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant support
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities must directly relate to the collaborative research project and may include:
- New research activities
- Proof-of-concept development
- Pre-commercialisation of research outcomes
- Development of new or improved products, services or processes
- Industry-focused education, training and capability-building initiatives (e.g. internships, placements, secondments)
- Conferences, workshops, and symposia related to the research
- Knowledge sharing, communications, and dissemination of project outcomes
This is not an exhaustive list, and other project-related costs may also be eligible.
Ineligible Cost
Ineligible expenditure includes (but is not limited to):
- Costs not directly related to the project
- Contingency costs
- Costs associated with engaging lobbyists
- Any expenditure not considered eligible under the program guidelines
Applicants should carefully review eligible expenditure rules when preparing budgets.
Other Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant support
Lead Applicant Requirements
To be eligible as the lead applicant, you must:
- Be a small to medium enterprise (SME) (fewer than 200 employees, including any consolidated group employees)
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Be incorporated in Australia and operating as a trading corporation
Your trading activities must represent a significant portion of your overall operations.
Project Partner Requirements
Projects must include, at a minimum:
- A lead applicant (Australian SME)
- At least one additional Australian industry partner (any size)
- At least one Australian research organisation
The lead SME must submit the application and, if successful:
- Enter into the grant agreement with the Commonwealth
- Execute a formal partner agreement with all project participants
Applications that do not meet this minimum collaboration structure will be deemed ineligible.
Who is Not Eligible
The following entities are not eligible to apply as lead applicants:
- Individuals, sole traders, partnerships, or unincorporated entities
- Research organisations or entities primarily established for research
- Commonwealth, state, or local government agencies or bodies
- Entities primarily funded by government sources
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entities
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant assessment criteria
Applications are assessed through a competitive, merit-based process against four equally weighted criteria (25% each).
1. Project Alignment with Program Objectives
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Alignment with Government priority areas (e.g. AI, NRF sectors, Science & Research Priorities)
- Contribution to improving industry competitiveness, productivity and sustainability
- Strength of industry-led collaboration
- Meaningful participation of SMEs
2. Quality of the Project
Assessment focuses on:
- Strength and appropriateness of the research methodology
- Ability to address the identified industry problem
- Contribution to advancing knowledge and enabling technology adoption
- Quality of collaboration between partners
- Education, training and workforce capability outcomes
3. Capacity, Capability and Resources
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Effective governance and project management arrangements
- Robust risk management strategies, including:
- National security considerations
- Foreign affiliations
- Intellectual property protection
- Access to required personnel, infrastructure, technology, and funding
4. Impact of the Grant Funding
Assessment considers:
- The extent to which the grant enables the project to proceed, scale, or accelerate
- Commercialisation potential and pathway to market
- The level of investment leveraged
- The extent to which benefits are retained in Australia
- Impact on regional and remote Australia
How do I get Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant?
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.
Strong CRC-P applications clearly demonstrate:
- Direct SME benefits and commercialisation potential
- Strong alignment with NRF and Science & Research priorities
- Robust partner governance, IP, and risk management frameworks
- Significant spillover benefits for Australian industry and communities
Information to prepare for the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant application
Applicants should prepare the following:
- Detailed project plan and scope
- Evidence of collaboration and partner roles
- Project partner agreements
- Financial forecasts and project budget
- Intellectual property (IP) strategy and ownership arrangements
- Risk management framework, including national security considerations
- Supporting documentation (e.g. Indigenous status evidence where applicable)
Applying for Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant
Applications must be submitted via the business.gov.au portal
Complete our quick CRC-P Grant Readiness Quiz to see if your business has a strong chance.
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant 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.
Want to check if you are CRC-P Grant Ready?
Skip the guesswork. Complete our quick CRC-P Grant Readiness Quiz to see if your business has a strong chance.
If you look like a good fit, you may be eligible for a free strategy session (valued at $300) to discuss your project’s alignment and next steps.
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